I have none of those traits but I do love to watch tiny little critters going along doing their thing without a care in the world. Except for the invasive ones and the parasites.
this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2026
291 points (96.5% liked)
Science Memes
20623 readers
3119 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Meta Post Tags
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
If you are here asking: "Is this a science meme?"
Probably, yes. We use the Dawkins definition of meme: a replicating idea, not just an image macro with a fact on it. A good post here doesn't need to teach you something. It needs to make you ask something: who, what, where, when, and especially why or how.
Science isn't a filing cabinet of facts, it's a conversation. For example, a photo of an eel or other localized wildlife counts because most people never see one, and wonder is the first step of inquiry. A car meme counts if it makes you curious about what's under the bonnet. If you want to talk about something you noticed in the world, chances are someone else wants to talk about it too.
We moderate for vibe, not category. Pruning is light, especially where a post creates interesting discussion. Experimenting is encouraged.
See the pinned paper on Shitposting as Public Pedagogy if you want the academic case for why this works.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
me initially assuming it's about programming
As a software dev I don’t call them bugs. Just happy little accidents.
Happy little features
As a software engineer I have to say... Nope, bugs must go.
Bugs can live outside. Not indoors in my production code. Don't ask where "outside" is in this metaphor.
Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human victories over nature. For each such victory nature takes its revenge on us.
all bugs are besties.
except for chiggers. fuck those guys. and skeeters aren't cool either.
You stay out of my bed and I stay out of your bed, is the deal. They can take it or get thrown out.
I think some think your bed is their bed as well..
I am leftist, but I draw the line of interspecies communal property at my bed.
Agreed. You vibing around me? We're chill. Land on my face at 3am? All bets are off.
Insects are my homies
Compassion and empathy do not rely on someone else’s value to you, so instead of having “compassion” for bugs only because they serve a purpose in the ecosystem you rely on you, think about how they are living their life and having their own unique experience of the world, the same way your friends do.
The experiences of animals are real and matter. Their suffering is identical in nature to your own.
Is that really true of insects? I'd go out on a limb and that the way they experience pain is different from a mammal.
Okay, but I didn't say pain. Is body pain the only thing that makes you experience suffering?
I have zero empathy for bugs after Buenos Aires. THE ONLY GOOD BUG, IS A DEAD BUG
Sure but why must the ecosystem extend into my flat?
I have a deal with the ants in my garden. I get to grow vegetables on their land, they get part of the vegetables and don't destroy everything.
Do mosquitoes count as bugs?
I like the way worms make fertiliser