Lauding a gardener, disparaging spiders?

Your inspiring story on the life of avid gardener Chandara Vinoukkun testified to the greatness of this nation of immigrants—as a sanctuary for the oppressed throughout today’s troubled world. Clearly, in this community of extraordinary academic abilities, Mr. Vinoukkun is a person of extraordinary courage. His optimistic outlook on life reminds all of us to appreciate and love, and for Americans, as individuals and as a nation, to be a force for positive change.

But what irony! Accompanying this celebration of life, a gleeful celebration of death can be found in the very same issue of The Oracle (“Top Ten Most Efficient Ways to Kill a Spider”). While it may have been intended as a joke, I, for one, would like you to know that the piece is not funny. As a passionate biology student, I found your wanton disregard for life (“Eat it. You may want to pour some chocolate on it first,” “remove the spider’s legs one by one”) rather revolting.

Did you know that spider venom may prevent brain damage in stroke victims? Or that in addition to preying on disease-carrying insects, spiders produce silk that is so light yet strong that it is being researched for the production of BioSteel for use in the industrial, military and medical fields? I am hopeful that this article was an attempt at humor, not sadism. I suggest The Oracle learn more about spiders and their benefits to society, for the sake of knowledge and perhaps a little more appreciation for our fascinating arachnid friends.

—Junior Heming Yip