I too am afraid of spiders. Not really the ones outside that make webs in your garden, but the indoor ones, especially the big black/brown house spiders. I think its partially because they are very fast and I worry that they will run onto and up my leg.

A couple years ago, I was sampling an exploration trench in Ghana. At on point, I glanced down and all I saw were legs coming toward me (it was on my chest). I nearly jumped out of my skin even though it really wasn't that big.

Ultimately I chalk it up as an irrational fear, since things like snakes and mice don't bother me that much (and snakes love those trenches - black cobras, green mambas, etc.).

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Earth First! We'll mine the rest later.