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[–] 2 points 1 month ago (3 children)

We are evolved to detect spiders and snakes very well and to heighten attention when they are detected. That does make it much more likely you will develop a fear response, if, for example, your parents react with fear.

Nothing about this means spiders are inherently gross. You make your world smaller by missing out on deeply interesting and beautiful creatures with this knee-jerk reaction.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    You acknowledge that external factors affect our reactions and then seem to blame us for said reactions.

    Some people have an irrational fear of X. They know it's irrational. But they still experience abject terror every time they encounter a picture or even a mention of X.

    They are not "making their world smaller." Sure, you can argue that it is smaller. I'm just saying that the verb "make" there seems to be assuming a choice that those people won't have without a lot of therapy.

    If we're being honest, people who fear spiders are not missing out on any more than someone who simply hasn't learned about a different kind of creature that exists in the world.

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