Mice, insects, spiders, snakes (even the non-venomous) are just some examples. Even if they stand no chance at hurting us, they make us uncomfortable to downright fearful. Why is this?
In: Biology
Yes, humanity is an apex predator, no animal can seriously damage our numbers, or drive us to extinction.
But none of that helps *you.* Your basic imperative is to spread *your* DNA, and you can’t do that when you’re dead. Your instincts were made tens of thousands of years ago, when getting sick or injured was often a death sentence, and there were no treatments available. So humanity is inclined to be cautious or fearful around creatures that could cause those sorts of injuries.
*Maybe* this spider is harmless, but I don’t know, so let’s just avoid all spiders just be sure.
Now, venom and disease are largely treatable and most of those creatures are more of a nuisance than a threat, but you’ll need another 50,000 years to change your instincts on the matter.
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