I'm tired of microblog screenshots that self-censor π
Also that's cool. I'm pretty sure I cannot smell ants. But it's also possible there are ants everywhere I go, so I can't discern what part of the background smells are the ants.
this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
739 points (95.6% liked)
Science Memes
19403 readers
1045 users here now
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.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
I was watching "deep dives" on Youtube yesterday and was getting confused by all the censoring. Even the word "sex" was censored, and like... what? Not just SA (which I understand censoring), but sex itself? In a video ostensibly designed for an adult (or at least teenage) audience?
It's hard to follow a story when words get censored that you don't expect to get censored. In my mind I think something much worse is being said, and have to pause and rewind to ensure I understood correctly. The best part is, the creator wasn't even from the US, land of the Puritans. I expect Europeans not to be afraid of sex, but I guess this is what Youtube is doing to the world?
That degree of censorship usually implies the content is dual posted to TikTok in my experience
load more comments
(2 replies)
load more comments
(3 replies)
Whatever, keep your ant-smelling superpower, I'm not jealous. At least cilantro doesn't taste like soap to me! :P
We need a study on if thatβs the divide. If you can smell ants you also think cilantro tastes like soap
Cilantro: tastes like soap
Can smell ants: no
Sorry, I'm a counterpoint. I got the worst of both.
I'm with you. Can't smell ants, but cilantro is soapy.
There are lots of little genetic quirks out there. I experience Arnold's Reflex, that is, I cough when I stick a cotton swab in my left ear canal. (Only my left. My right doesn't react.) There's also the Photic Sneeze Reflex, which is where you sneeze when looking at light. I don't have that, but around 35% of the population does.
I'm sure there are countless more little things like this that people just haven't talked about/gathered enough data on yet.
load more comments
(1 replies)
I canβt smell ants, and cilantro tastes soapy. However, I do have dry earwax and my armpits donβt smell. (Which is just spurious information to your hypothesis.)
load more comments
(2 replies)
load more comments
(10 replies)
I had no idea it was a genetic thing that not everyone has. It's pretty awesome that after fifty years slogging through life, I still run across cool new shit like this
That's the most useless censoring of the word "Fuck" I have ever seen π
Why did you censor a small mushroom?
That mushroom is average-sized my good sir.
load more comments
(1 replies)
load more comments
(2 replies)
Wow that's really weird because i thought ants were supposed to be everywhere - at least in summertime when you go outside. If they smell that bad then it must be unbearable just walking around places in the city.
I can only smell them if I sniff a crushed one up close. Itβs been a long time - I donβt step on bugs on purpose.
I don't think they're talking about the dead/distressed ant smell. To the best of my knowledge, everyone can smell that. They're talking about a general smell of ants
load more comments
(4 replies)
Is it the formic acid?
Has to be, it's got that same "bite" that other acids have, only a little more earthy
load more comments
(7 replies)
load more comments
(4 replies)
I think I can hear ants. People probably think Iβm crazy. Like if you bend down and get your face really close to their trail. Itβs like a buzzing sound. Like static on an old TV. Creepy as fuck.
Could it just be the reflections of ambient noise you also get when you hold your ear close to any surface? The old "If you hold a seashell to your ear, you can hear the ocean" kind of thing.
load more comments
(8 replies)
Are we talking formic acid from crushed ants or just there is an ant around and they can smell it?
Not just crushed ants, I smell it when they're scared and running, but undamaged, as well. Calm ants though, they don't smell to me. I always assumed it was a warning chemical to other ants, or a deterrent for predators with more sensitive sniffers than I.
load more comments
(1 replies)
load more comments
(3 replies)
I never knew about this. Is this the same gene which makes people like/dislike bitter foods?
Years ago at a place I worked at, food manufacturers, the R&D team did a taste workshop. 5 cups of flavours, salt, bitter, water, umami, sweet. The bitter one just tasted of water to me. They called it "bitter blind"
Probably makes you easier to poison. I will keep that in mind.
load more comments
(5 replies)
It smells so weird and strong. I'm surprised not everyone can smell this. I wonder how common this is?
Now I need to know what I'm missing out on... I know the smell of formic acid, and can smell it if andts are really pissed off - but do they just smell?
I usually only smell it after they are agitated. I assume that's what they meant? But usually when I'm smelling ants they are agitated.
load more comments
(3 replies)
load more comments
(3 replies)
Is this like how some people can smell if a dude jorked it that day?
no wonder why people avoid me.
load more comments
(7 replies)
some ants when attacked do produce a small (probably by spraying chemicals that is supposed to paralyses/repel other small insects). that I can smell but I can't smell an ant peacefully walking around.
Some people can smell ants. Some people can smell Parkinson's disease.
I don't think I can smell either of those but I can smell B.O.
view more: next βΊ