Scientists Comment About How Much They Want to Hug What They Study But They Can't in a Viral Video of Geologist Hugging a Volcano

Geologist and TikToker @dykanite posts LGBTQ+ content along with geology content. She's informative on each front. She recently finished up a job studying a certain volcano. Even people who don't have a PhD in geology know some basics about volcanos, like they are very dangerous and full of scorching magma. When her studies of the volcano finished, it was bitter sweet. She spent so much time with this volcano that it was sad to leave it behind. She shared a TikTok of her hugging it and it went viral. However, it's not just the wholesome content of the video that is amazing—but other scientists comments. 

“I miss my volcano”

It's not easy to hug a volcano. Imagine trying to huge a pile of smelly rocks… It just doesn't hit the same if you're not a geologist. Scientist respond in the comments how they too have the urge to hug what they're studying. However, many are unable to hug their subjects for a varied of reasons. Humans form connections with inanimate objects all the time, especially nature. So is it really that crazy that this geologist was sad to leave her trusty volcano?

“I can't hug bats…”

With that video, someone who study bats commented that they wish they could hug their bats. The thing is, bats get nervous when being handled by humans and, the commented adds, her bats are very very smol. So she doesn't want to come even close to smushing them. She says she does sometimes give them a sweet little pat on the head and a big ‘ole mealworm to happily snack on and it warms her heart. Viewers say she could hug the bat with her hand or make herself a bat squishy to hug. But it’s just not the same. 

Scientist Wanting to Hug What They Study

With this, other scientist came flooding to the comments section to vent about how they can't hug the things they study either. Many microorganisms, wild animals, plants, reactive materials, space, etc.—it's just impossible to hug them! As a scientist AND a human with emotions and feelings, it's bitter sweet to be unable to hug this creature or thing you spend so much time with. it's not just a saying that scientists fall in love with their work.