I haven't seen that movie because I like horror and Giant spiders don't horrify me. Giant maggots is another thing alto
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TaraDeS — 3 months ago(December 09, 2025 12:47 PM)
Evolution or Education
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️️ Where does our Fear of Spiders come from?
Spiders aren't viewed as negatively in all cultures.
Author Jan Mohnhaupt examined the history of the relationship between humans and spiders.
And explains why these 8-legged creatures are revered elsewhere, while fear often prevails here.
In many stories in Western cultures, spiders appear as voracious monsters (depiction from 19th century).
Herr Mohnhaupt, hardly any Animal evokes as much Disgust and Fear as the Spider.
Where does our Fear of Spiders come from?
Personally, I don't have this fear, so I can't speak of
"our"
fear. There are various theories as to why people are afraid of spiders. Some fear researchers attribute the widespread arachnophobia to evolution. Those of our ancestors who were wary of dangerous spiders survived and thus passed on their genes and their fear.
But?
In regions of the world where the fear of spiders is particularly pronounced, we find virtually no spiders that are truly dangerous to humans, for example in Europe. But in areas where are indeed highly venomous spiders, they are sometimes revered or even eaten.
Fear of Spiders is culturally determined?
there is a great deal of evidence to support this. The more
"civilized"
a culture presents itself, the further it distanced itself from nature, the more hostile it usually is towards spiders. International comparative studies show that the strongest aversion to spiders is found precisely in countries with a Christian influence.
Where exactly does this Fear come from?
Even in the Bible, the spider appears as the devil's animal, just like the snake. In many stories based on Christian themes, the spider is portrayed as a malevolent creature that brings death and destruction. Prime example is the 19th-century novella
"The Black Spider"
by Jeremias Gotthelf. The devil in the form of a spider wipes out almost an entire village and even the spider's touch is fatal. In one scene, the protagonist's cheek bursts open and many small spiders emerge from the wound. Stories like these reinforced the spider's negative image. Our aversion to spiders is also a legacy of Christian traditions.
Why is this Christian Aversion directed specifically at Spiders?
I think that in a Christian context, the aversion also stems from the fact that humans cannot utilize the spider's work. While bees 'bring' wax and honey to humans and can be exploited, spiders appear selfish, useless and bothersome.
The Influence of Churches in Europe is declining — but the Fear of Spiders remains?
The traditions and values that shaped our society for centuries don't simply disappear just because fewer people go to church on Sundays. Our perception of the world remains heavily influenced by Christian thinkers and texts. For example, the idea of humankind as the supposed crown of creation. Churches today don't actively spread fear of spiders. This fear, which has a centuries-long tradition, is instilled anew in each generation.
How can we imagine this kind of instilled Behaviour?
It can happen in seemingly insignificant moments. For example, when toddlers witness their parents flinching at the sight of a spider, jumping up frantically, removing the creatures from the house or killing them. From a young age children learn that spiders must be avoided; they don't belong in the house. This is passed down from generation to generation.
How does the Image of the Spider differ in other Cultures?
Among the Mapuche people of Chile, the spider is considered a cultural creator. According to their tradition, a primordial spider taught Mapuche women how to weave. In the stories of indigenous peoples of North America, the spider often acts as a maternal advisor, whispering in people's ears what needs to be done to solve certain tasks. Spider narratives are particularly diverse in West African myths; the spider sometimes appears as a creator god or as a mediator between heaven and earth, as one of the first beings to come from heaven to earth and bring the celestial fire. Other stories portray the spider as a kind of rogue, a trickster who deceives animals and humans, but is never malicious. A tradition that persists to this day in the societies of Nigeria and Cameroon is the spider oracle.
Western movies like "Arac Attack" (2002) often depict spiders as antagonists of humans.
Myths and stories in other cultures consider spiders as intermediaries between Heaven and Earth.
The Spider as a practical Advisor?
Exactly. People troubled by a particular question — such as whether they will survive an illness or found the right woman or man — place leaves from selected trees in front of tarantula burrows. After a certain time, the spider moves the greenery aside at the entrance of her burrow. Depending on how the leaves are then arranged, an interpreter 'reads' the spider's oracle. That's also a form of commercialism, but this tradition demonstrates that spiders are considered very wise in these cultures.
Will our Arach -
TaraDeS — 3 months ago(December 09, 2025 09:01 PM)
NZer December 09, 2025 07:37 PM
Member since March 21, 2017
I still think of Tobey when I see my spiderless back door. I miss the little guy. Hope he's alive and doing well.
Toby or Tobey certainly received a proper Christian funeral in the closest family circle.
With John Lennon's timeless music.
Gone, but not forgotten!
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TaraDeS — 3 months ago(December 09, 2025 01:04 PM)
Donna2.0 December 09, 2025 01:50 PM
–> immediate hollow overrunner
Member since May 23, 2024
Ummm..yeah
Punkt.
🤪
Quick overrrunner by animal expert Donna.
Rest in Peace, poor Indigo 🦜 Sapphire 🦜 Dirk 🦜and Emmy. 🦜
https://www.filmboards.com/t/Pets-and-Animals/Emmy-died-3601093/
And now back to the topic.
https://www.filmboards.com/board/p/22897836/permalink/#p22897836
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TaraDeS — 3 months ago(December 09, 2025 01:13 PM)
Donna2.0 December 09, 2025 02:10 PM
Member since May 23, 2024
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTBVuji9LzRxVaUdQ1N4IyzPTkPEak9Ovf02Mq-r2-cAA&s=10
How wonderful that Donna unblocked me with this of its socks too. 🧦🤪
And now back to the topic.
https://www.filmboards.com/board/p/22897836/permalink/#p22897836
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MissMargoChanning — 3 months ago(December 17, 2025 10:58 PM)
It's my pet spider who lives inside my back door.
hmmmmmm…. I'd prefer he remain outside…
You asked a pretty question; I've given you the ugly answer.
Fasten Your Seatbelts….
It's Going To Be A Bumpy Night! -
