Pipetting Memes

This alignment chart brilliantly categorizes the different species of lab students we've all encountered (or embodied) in chemistry class. From the safety-obsessed "Lawful Good" who probably color-codes their lab notebook to the absolutely unhinged "Chaotic Evil" mouth-pipetting mercury while naked. That escalated quickly! The middle ground is where most of us live - just showing up (True Neutral) or doing the bare minimum with average results (Lawful Neutral). Meanwhile, the "Chaotic Good" is that genius who somehow gets perfect results despite forgetting half the safety protocols. FYI: Mouth pipetting was actually common practice until the 1970s before we collectively realized that sucking chemicals through tubes might be problematic. Science history's "chaotic evil" era!

The evolution of lab safety is hilariously captured here! The 1925 chemist (portrayed by buff Doge) casually announces mouth-pipetting concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) - an incredibly dangerous practice that would literally dissolve your insides. Meanwhile, modern chemists (represented by wimpy Doge) panic over a microscopic drop of dilute acetic acid (basically fancy vinegar) on their protective glove. What makes this extra spicy is that the concentration difference is astronomical - we're talking about comparing battery acid to something you put on your salad. The 0.00001M acetic acid is roughly 500,000 times more dilute than household vinegar. Chemistry veterans know this struggle - we've gone from recklessly tasting unknown compounds to filling out three safety forms before opening a bottle of water.

The evolution of lab safety standards is hilarious and terrifying. On the left, we have 1925's absolute unit of a chemist casually mouth-pipetting sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) - you know, just a compound that can dissolve your esophagus faster than tenure committee rejections. Meanwhile, modern chemists have a complete meltdown over 0.00001M acetic acid (basically fancy vinegar) touching their glove. Safety protocols have evolved from "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" to "I need therapy because a drop of something weaker than salad dressing touched my PPE." The methylene blue accident mentioned in the title? Classic chemist rite of passage - turns your urine Smurf-blue and convinces you death is imminent. Nothing says "I'm a real scientist now" like peeing blue and having an existential crisis!