this post was submitted on 28 Apr 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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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.

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See the pinned paper on Shitposting as Public Pedagogy if you want the academic case for why this works.



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[–] Gork@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Why not just use distilled water?

[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

if it stood around for a while, it's possible to have stuff grown in it

[–] BillyClark@piefed.social 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That stuff that you claim it is possible to have grown... what is it consuming to provide the energy needed to grow? I guess if you leave it out in the sunlight, that would be one thing. Or if the container was opened before and was contaminated.

I think the bigger problem with leaving distilled water for a while is all of the stuff that leaches into the water from its container.

[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 months ago

if you leave it out in the sunlight, that would be one thing. Or if the container was opened before

I mean... yes. exactly that.

people rarely use up the giant jug that it normally comes in in one go

[–] BillyClark@piefed.social 7 points 2 months ago

They sell something called "eye wash solution," which I'm guessing is specifically for optometrists to recommend to people so they don't have to explain the complications.

[–] phdepressed@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago

Most people dont have access to distilled water or sterile containers and then would complain about the price.