Fact check: People eat spiders in their sleep

1. Summary of the results

Here's my analysis based on the provided fact-checks:

1. Summary of the results:

The claim that people eat spiders in their sleep is false and has been thoroughly debunked by scientific evidence. Spiders actively avoid humans during sleep due to the vibrations we create through breathing, heartbeat, and potential snoring. Biology Professor Bill Shear and Arachnid Curator Rod Crawford both confirm that spiders view humans as large, threatening landscape features rather than potential destinations.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

The original statement omits crucial context about the origin of this myth. The widely cited "8 spiders per year" statistic was deliberately fabricated in a 1993 magazine article as an example of how easily people believe and spread misinformation online. Additionally, the statement fails to mention that only 3-4 spider species typically inhabit North American homes, and these spiders are actually beneficial as they consume household pests.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The statement presents a sensationalized claim without any scientific backing. It plays into common arachnophobia and perpetuates a viral myth that has been deliberately spread online. This type of misinformation benefits:

• Click-bait websites and social media accounts that gain engagement from spreading shocking "facts"
• Publishers and content creators who capitalize on people's fears of spiders
• Pest control companies that might exploit arachnophobia for commercial gain

The scientific consensus, supported by multiple experts in arachnology, directly contradicts this urban legend.