Kathryn Schulz, in a personal essay, delves into her fear of spiders, exploring their significance in nature. After reading "The Lives of Spiders" by Ximena Nelson, she gains newfound appreciation for these creatures, learning that they consume massive quantities of meat yearly and exhibit fascinating behaviors. Schulz reflects on overcoming her aversion, noting that perception can change with understanding, and emphasizes the importance of not hating what is unfamiliar to us, linking this notion to broader human morality.
"It's humbling to see a creature I've always reviled rendered so beautifully... that reflexively hating anything alien to us is the beginning of evil."
"Part textbook, part encyclopedia, part coffee-table book for those whose taste in décor runs toward shabby eek, the book is rich in scientific detail and in endearing if not entirely contagious enthusiasm about the arachnid world."
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