this post was submitted on 17 Apr 2026
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Science Memes
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This stuff used to bother me but then I observed nature and its cruel rules for long enough, and I realized that suffering is one of the few constants in life, one of the guarantees. Wasps that paralyze spiders for months so they can be eaten alive by their offspring, bird species where most chicks are left to stave to death, etc... yeah nature is just as cruel as humans can be, but at a much larger scale in perpetuity, and we're a lot more efficient at turning that suffering into greater good that lessens the suffering of others in perpetuity. So, while I don't condone or even like to think about baby monkey experiments, I will not bat an eye at lab mice being given Parkinson's so we can observe and seek answers and cures.
I wouldn't say that nature is cruel, but amoral and chaotic, with a focus on trying all the venues for survival, whith some for moral beings like us, seemingly cruel.
When I did experimentation, I often focused on minimizing harm. I also try doing as much good as I am doing "bad". That helps me deal with this.
In science, they at least die for reasons. I hope I can feel as good about my end.