this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2026
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Science Memes

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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.



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  1. Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
  2. Keep it rooted (on topic).
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  4. 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.



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[–] AlligatorBlizzard@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

So how nasty are these things to humans? They seem like body horror nightmare fuel.

(I think I live far enough north to not have to worry about them but thinking about them still makes me a bit queasy.)

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 11 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

In general humans are the least concern. We're smart enough to know something is wrong with our bodies, and fix it before it gets worse; we wear clothes and bandage wounds so there's less exposure of vulnerable areas; etc. It's a bit more concerning because of children, since the flies can attack eyes and mouths, but as long as the parents actually do their job and take care of the kid, no issue. (Bug repellent, pay attention to small wounds, regular visits to the doc, this kind of stuff.)

Dogs and cats are another can of worms (or maggots). Specially urban strays; if anyone here wants some nightmare fuel, websearch images for [NSFL] miíase cachorro or miasis perro [/NSFL], apparently the flies (it isn't just C. hominivorax) responsible for this sort of infestation will lay multiple eggs in the same wound, if they can; so it can get really nasty. Same deal with the fauna.

[–] Rubanski@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I should not have googled that, I should not have googled that...

[–] Fluke@feddit.uk 8 points 3 weeks ago

Nope. Leaving that one alone. Not today.

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 5 points 3 weeks ago

Well, I told you guys it's NSFL.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 3 weeks ago

if you are infirmed, or unable to move its a problem for those people.