In a world where bugs are found in most games at some point, one would think that the computer screen would be safe aside from being dropped. This wasn't the case for Reddit user UpvotesKitties who found an ant that had somehow managed to wedge itself between the glass and the screen itself.
How the ant found itself inside the screen is anyone's guess. Insects are attracted to heat, and while the screen will get warm, it's surprising the ant didn't simply move for the CPU instead. UpvotesKitties can be found directing it back and forth with their finger.
While it's sad that the ant could be trapped in the screen, and possibly die, the effect on the machine will also be apparent. What would appear as a splotch of dead pixels would forever haunt the user of the machine and make for a weird story to be told.
Reddit wasted no time with the corny jokes, with many mentioning putting in a bug report. One user suggested using Microsoft Visual Studio to help with debugging. Some offered actual help, saying they should turn off the machine and see if it could leave on its own accord, or using a flashlight, as some insects are sensitive to light. However, with the amount of light coming from the screen, that might not be of any effect. Canned air was even suggested, but the prospect of high-velocity air might exacerbate the situation by tearing the poor insect apart and further damaging the screen.
Computer bugs are nothing new, as they have existed since the advent of computers. The term originates from Grace Hopper who found a dead moth inside of a machine that had malfunctioned. The event was termed a "computer bug" and the rest is history. Today, computer bugs are more commonly thought of as holes, or mistakes in software development. A phrase often muttered by developers "It's not a bug, it's a feature." is a common one around tech circles.
While there has been no conclusion mentioned with the ant, the prospect of an insect making its way into modern technology has become rarer over time. Keeping the computer off the floor can greatly diminish the odds of an insect entering. With sealed systems relying on liquid cooling, and giving very little room for creatures to enter, most machines are safe from the fate that might await UpvoteKitties laptop.