What if you're a cockroach?

What if you woke up tomorrow as a cockroach? An interesting discussion with our class about expounding an idea. I chose cockroach because that is the least possible pest i want to be, least because no one want to be an insect, least because they are gross. Cockroaches are very interesting species, we do have around 30 species of cockroaches and only 4 of them are considered as pest. Cockroaches are an ancient group, dating back at least as far as the Carboniferous period or before dinosaur era, some 320 million years ago.

I chose cockroach because they can't die from a nuclear bomb. I read some article about their resistant about nuclear explosion or survival rate from exposure in radiation. They typically can live and survive but in certain degree or level of exposure. Radiation gradually destroys organism on the cellular level, that is why humans are very vulnerable. On the other hand, cockroaches molt about once a week at most, which make radiation to attack cells less effective. Cockroaches can survive the amount of radiation at ground zero of a nuclear explosion, though of course, not the explosion itself if they were right next to it.

I think if given a chance to answer the same question, i think i'll choose cockroach again. We considered them as pest but in ecological term, they served as food in food web. Cockroaches balance the community, and the cycle, aside as being prey they feed on decaying organic matter that produce nitrogen which get into the soil and is used by plants, extinction of cockroaches would have a big impact on forest health and affect all the species indirectly.

We used to think, we are senseless, we don't live with a purpose, so sometimes we incorporate ourselves as a pest. Cockroaches lived for about hundred years and considered as ancient, they don't care if you don't like them, They don't care if you call them pest. Because, unlike humans, insects and other creatures already know their purpose, which is to make a balance in the ecosystem. Humans are the end user, so the tendency is, we feel superior. But if you think like a cockroach, that you live to serve for small role, you can live for a big purpose.

They can easily adjust and adapt with the environment, the reason why they are not extinct. Everyday, you have to adjust and adapt, how to deal with people, how to accept change, how to do things positively. If you know how to adjust and adapt, gradually you'll learn how to find your purpose. For me, learning is a process, it doesn't need to be immediate because like cockroaches in order to be an adult, you have to molt hundred times. Ka-iskolar If you'll be a pest what would it be and why? I wanna know your answer, kindly drop it below. Gracias!