Men In Gorilla Suits

It's a really busy week, so no commentary -- just our talking points in a nice, neat list: How old were you when you first experienced irrational fear? What was your first phobia? Have you ever had a debilitating phobia? Have you known anyone who had a debilitating phobia? Who has the strangest phobia that you know? Have you ever gotten over a phobia? How? Are you currently phobic about anything? Are phobias something we're born with, or something we're taught? Can phobias serve any useful purpose? Has a phobia ever stopped you from doing something? If you had to take on a severe, incurable phobia, which one would you choose? Why?