# Do you dislike people who step on bugs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 12, 2020, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762 "2020-10-12T04:48:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/61 "2020-10-13T23:05:43Z")
The people who know you are either misinformed or are poor judges of character. You lack the only real virtue, which is compassion for those at your mercy. ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/62 "2020-10-13T23:16:19Z")
But that isn’t even true: I have plenty of compassion for those “at my mercy” to use your wording. I have a dog and an indoor cat who rely on me, and who mean half the world to me. I would be devastated if either one was in pain or suffering. I can’t even stand it when a dog dies in a movie. Your blanket assumption about my character is both untrue and unsophisticated. It lacks nuance. It also resembles black and white thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/63 "2020-10-13T23:22:32Z")
So your moral problem is that you imagine that only humans and pets have sentience, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/64 "2020-10-13T23:22:52Z")
No personal insults here. My point is, it doesn’t really make sense to post about how you do something that you know offends some people, and then be surprised when some people are offended. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/65 "2020-10-13T23:29:12Z")
Exactly. I mean dont get me wrong, bug crunchers are not evil. Nor are hunters- especially if you eat what you hunt or hunt pests (shoot all the starlings you want, for example). People who mistreat pets- that is evil. Dog fighting rings- horrible and deserve life sentences. But I think it is a bit childish to go a step out of your way to smush a bug. ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/66 "2020-10-13T23:31:49Z")
Surprised how? You are confusing “being surprised” with challenging other people opinions and perceptions. You do realize that that is what goes on in message boards, don’t you? 😛 Meanwhile, I have literally not expressed a single utterance of surprise in this thread. Nor have I complained or criticized anybody for the opinions they shared. Are you sure you aren’t projecting? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/67 "2020-10-13T23:32:58Z")
> [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > But that isn’t even true: I have plenty of compassion for those “at my mercy” to use your wording. I have a dog and an indoor cat who rely on me, and who mean half the world to me. I would be devastated if either one was in pain or suffering. I can’t even stand it when a dog dies in a movie. So in other words, dogs and cats (and especially _your_ dog and cat), are part of your [in-group](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in-group), but other living things, such as bugs, are not. It still seems like a moral failing to me to kill another living thing for no reason whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/69 "2020-10-13T23:41:39Z")
^^^ Double post Er… no. Where did you come by the idea that I only like animals that within my “in-group?” I like all almost dogs: they don’t have to be mine. What a boorish, stupidly basic idea you just expressed. I like most animals. I don’t own any whales or dolphins but I find them fascinating, and I find the practice of killing such intelligent creatures to be abhorrent and egregious. Do _you_ , Mr. In-group only? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/70 "2020-10-13T23:45:23Z")
Whatever. I don’t enjoy pedantic arguments. For what it’s worth, I think there are more people like you than there are like me. I don’t know too many people who actively enjoy being around insects (other than my self - selected biology geek friends.) I’ve always interpreted my sensitivity to bugs as a personality quirk. Have you seen _Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind_? It’s a movie about how we should all be nice to bugs. Especially giant psychic potato bugs the size buildings. Bugs have feelers, too! > **[Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nausica%C3%A4_of_the_Valley_of_the_Wind_(film))** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Japanese: 風の谷のナウシカ, Hepburn: Kaze no Tani no Naushika) is a 1984 Japanese post-apocalyptic anime film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on his 1982 manga. It was animated by Topcraft for Tokuma Shoten and Hakuhodo, and distributed by the Toei Company. Joe Hisaishi, in his first collaboration with Miyazaki, composed the score. The film stars the voices of Sumi Shimamoto, Gorō Naya, Yōji Matsuda, Yo... ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/71 "2020-10-13T23:46:02Z")
Limited toleration for noxious and potentially disease-carrying insects indoors i.e. flies and cockroaches is understandable, as is dispatching such creatures to the great beyond. Knocking off bugs that are trying to eat my garden (looking at _you_, Japanese beetles) is second nature. That said, having a fascination with crushing bugs and spiders as described in the OP and looking for approval from others for such behavior is childish and a bit creepy. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bvFuUaCe8eY/hqdefault.jpg "The Who - Boris The Spider") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFuUaCe8eY) ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/72 "2020-10-13T23:51:59Z")
Where are you getting '“only humans and pets have sentience?” Did you _ask_ about any other animals? You are making assumptions accompanied by a lack of doing any sort or probing. Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, are sentient. They have feelings and varying levels of emotion. When we’re getting down to bugs, no. They are not sentient, certainly not in the way that you may be thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/73 "2020-10-14T00:00:08Z")
Approval for stepping on bugs? It’s nice of you to consider that, but its okay. I already approved it a long time ago. 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/74 "2020-10-14T00:13:26Z")
> [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > Er… no. Where did you come by the idea that I only like animals that within my “in-group?” Because that’s literally what you said up to that point in the thread. You started off bragging about your predilection to kill bugs. You then proclaimed that you have plenty of compassion because your dog and cat “mean half the the world” to you. What about animals that aren’t your pets? > [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > What a boorish, stupidly basic idea you just expressed. Up to now, everyone in this thread has gone out of their way to be polite, even if we don’t agree with you. Because this isn’t the pit, I’ll refrain from offering any further opinions here. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/75 "2020-10-14T00:13:54Z")
> [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > When we’re getting down to bugs, no. They are not sentient, certainly not in the way that you may be thinking. They’re sentient enough to try to avoid being crushed. That’s enough for me. – we actually have no idea how sentient they are. They don’t have human types of brains. They don’t have mammalian types of brains. Some of them have huge complicated networks of communication, though. And killing anything, whatever its degree of sentience, for no particular reason, other than possibly that you think it’s fun, is nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/76 "2020-10-14T00:29:30Z")
The answer to the question about pets that you keep asking is IN the post you quoted. It is literally the second sentence. Other animals are mentioned as well Are you sure you read it? I am not trying to be mean but I’m beginning to feel embarrassed for you. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/77 "2020-10-14T00:50:10Z")
Jumping in late…and…yes and no. I’m hideously arachnophobic, so when I see a spider, I kill it while screaming like a baby. But, no, otherwise, I step around critters when I can. I don’t tread on ants. And, a little bit, I disapprove of people who do. Mildly hypocritical, but, hey, it’s a human thing… ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/78 "2020-10-14T01:08:45Z")
The world is not short of spiders. They are not on the endangered list. But they also contribute a lot of important work to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Though in the past I was rather indiscriminate and ruthless, I now only kill a spider if they are known problems that may bite or inject venom. I otherwise will leave them be. Most other insects I also now let alone, they are mild inconveniences at best. I even encourage flies and moths to go out the window they came in through. Though I did get an exterminator in to destroy a wasp nest once, as they had planted themselves right outside my front doorway and were dive-bombing me as I passed. My own judgement of what others do is still evolving on the issue. I’m hardly a saint, especially in my past, so I get it. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/79 "2020-10-14T01:35:59Z")
> [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > The answer to the question about pets that you keep asking is IN the post you quoted. It is literally the second sentence. Other animals are mentioned as well Are you sure you read it? I am not trying to be mean but I’m beginning to feel embarrassed for you. In [Post #69](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/69), you asked: “Er… no. Where did you come by the idea that I only like animals that within my ‘in-group?’” I responded that you literally said that **in your previous posts** , culminating with [Post #62](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/62), where you said: > [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > But that isn’t even true: I have plenty of compassion for those “at my mercy” to use your wording. I have a dog and an indoor cat who rely on me, and who mean half the world to me. I would be devastated if either one was in pain or suffering. I can’t even stand it when a dog dies in a movie. You see, _up to that point in the thread_, the only animals you had mentioned were bugs, your pets, and a dog in a movie. You didn’t mention any other animals (including “all almost dogs,” whales, and dolphins) until _after_ you had asked the question about where I had gotten that idea. But I am getting the distinct impression that you are not actually interested in having a discussion in good faith. Finally, I confess that I glossed over the remainder of your post when I got to this part: > [@Jakeyjakey](#): > > What a boorish, stupidly basic idea you just expressed. Since we’re on the topic of insects, you might consider the adage about catching more flies with honey than vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/80 "2020-10-14T02:19:47Z")
> [@robby](#): > > You see, _up to that point in the thread_ , the only animals you had mentioned were bugs, your pets, and a dog in a movie. > > You didn’t mention any other animals (including “all almost dogs,” whales, and dolphins) until _after_ you had asked the question about where I had gotten that idea. > > But I am getting the distinct impression that you are not actually interested in having a discussion in good faith. I didn’t mention other animals only because they didn’t seem immediately germane to the topic of the thread though… What struck me was the way in which you made statements about how much I value the lives of non-pets and other animals. Not questions, not suggestions, but fact-like statements. Without asking me any sort of probing questions. You had seemed to have extrapolated the way in which treat bugs to that must be how much I care about all animals. It was dead wrong, and was why I was a little short with you. You weren’t going to be successful in telling **me** the nature of my own perception. > [@robby](#): > > Since we’re on the topic of insects, you might consider the adage about catching more flies with honey than vinegar. That’s fair. 😇 ---
**Author:** ![Jakeyjakey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jakeyjakey/32/5071_2.png) [@Jakeyjakey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jakeyjakey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762/81 "2020-10-14T03:20:00Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And killing anything, whatever its degree of sentience, for no particular reason, other than possibly that you think it’s fun, is nasty. You make it sound like they are victims. It’s easy for us to characterize insects as inoffensive because of their size, but they aren’t helpless. Take ants for example: even though they may be seen as defenseless against being stepped on, that wouldn’t be true. There are something like a quarter million ants underground within some networks. Their reproductive rate IS their defense mechanism. No human intervention would even put a dent in them. Also, ants are quite brutal. Even though they don’t know any better, they _are_ ruthless. That isn’t their fault: they are nature’s little pre-programmed killing machines and they are incapable of being anything else. Two things most insects strive for: reproducing like crazy (often cannibalizing one another after doing so) and invading each other’s territory for resources. Ants are practically genocidal, warring with and killing rival colonies without regard for the individual lives of their own soldiers and sometimes even abducting larvae from the conquered in order to produce a generation of slaves for the colony. And you think what I do is nasty? 😛 > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > **They’re sentient enough to try to avoid being crushed.** > > That’s enough for me. > > – we actually have no idea how sentient they are. They don’t have human types of brains. They don’t have mammalian types of brains. Some of them have huge complicated networks of communication, though. Think so? Ants don’t “try to avoid being crushed,” or at the least, they aren’t doing so out of “sentience.” Ants are hard-wired to the core. Most ants cannot see beyond a 12 inches or so, and they respond to shadows and changes in light by switching direction erratically. Ants are incapable of interpreting a shoe overhead as something that will crush them, because they don’t know what it means to be crushed. Even on an individual level, ants have no regard for even their own lives. If they sense that they have sufficient numbers to sacrifice, which is all through chemical signals, they will continue trying to gather food from a dangerous location even when some jerk like me is stepping on them. I would be one guy to know: I’ve stepped on _a lot_ of ants. 😀 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dislike-people-who-step-on-bugs/922762.md?page=5)