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5 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen
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We found out recently that if you try to leave a little kid in a graveyard late at night, he'll freak out. Even if you offer to leave him a gun to protect himself. Why? It's because on some instinctual level, all humans know it's just a matter of time until the zombies show up. Our culture is full of tales of the undead walking the Earth, from our religions to our comic books. But, some sort of zombie apocalypse isn't actually possible, right? Right? Guys? Actually, yes. It's quite possible. Here's five ways it could happen, according to science. #5.
Brain Parasites
As seen in ...
What are they?
This bug infects rats, but can only breed inside the intestines of a cat. The parasite knows it needs to get the rat inside the cat (yes, we realize this sounds like the beginning of the most fucked-up Dr. Seuss poem ever) so the parasite takes over the rat's freaking brain, and intentionally makes it scurry toward where the cats hang out. The rat is being programmed to get itself eaten, and it doesn't even know. Of course, those are just rats, right?
How it can result in zombies:
Oh, also, they've done studies and shown that the infected see a change in their personality and have a higher chance of going batshit insane.
Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
If you're comforting yourself with the thought that it may take forever for such a parasite to evolve, you're forgetting about all the biological weapons programs around the world, intentionally weaponizing such bugs. You've got to wonder if the lab workers don't carry out their work under the unwitting command of the toxoplasmosa gondii already in their brains. If you don't want to sleep at night, that is. You may be protesting that technically these people have never been dead and thus don't fit the dictionary definition of "zombies," but we can assure you that the distinction won't matter a whole lot once these groaning hordes are clawing their way through your windows.
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Parasites that turn victims into mindless, zombie-like slaves are fairly common in nature. There's one called 
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Drunk vs Zombie, sure, why not? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpwYQl8BH34
Something like a zombie infection is already taking place in some ants, in the form of the Lancet Fluke. This parasite actually infects the nervous system of the host ant, causing behavior suicidal to the ant but necessary for the reproduction of the fluke. In principle, then, zombie ants already exist.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Could_zombies_exist&alreadyAsked=1&rtitle=Could_zombies_ever_exist
It's rather implausible, but it is entirely possible, at least in the "infection" sense, rather than the "dead rising from their graves" sense.
It is not entirely implausible that a bacterium or virus might mutate in such a way that it infects human brains and overrides, cuts off or destroys higher brain functions, leaving some of the more primitive systems intact, like recognition patterns, the drive to eat, motor control, etc.
Something like a zombie infection is already taking place in some ants, in the form of the Lancet Fluke. This parasite actually infects the nervous system of the host ant, causing behavior suicidal to the ant but necessary for the reproduction of the fluke. In principle, then, zombie ants already exist.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Could_zombies_exist&alreadyAsked=1&rtitle=Could_zombies_ever_exist
there is also another parasite that invades a cricket controls it's mind and forces the cricket to commit suicide by drowning so there's more than one of these parasites out there the one i'm talking aboout is called the gordian worm look it up they have videos of it all over the web so who knows how many parasites like these are out there not saying that zombies are going to take over but with the government trying to use anything for a weapon you never know
Alright, here it goes. I do not believe that it's impossible to have a zombie apocalypse, although I do have some counter-parts to this article.
My first is that I believe it is possible for the parasite to evolve enough to be able to effect humans, but there is a treatment for it. It could turn into something like small pox where everybody just get's a shot for it. When the parasite "took over" the rat's mind's, results showed that when given a physcological medication (used to treat symptoms of Schizophrenia) it showed that it no longer responded to the parasite.
Also, it says that toxoplasma is associated with the damage of astrocytes. Which is also apart of the cause of Schizophrenia. Although you see things on tv where a lot of the killers and such are Schizophrenic, in reality if you're schizophrenic you're not going to go out and kill somebody. It mostly alters your emotions and makes you become dilusional. IF this parasite is somewhat like Schizophrenia, the chances of it coming to the point where you'd eat other people's brains is slightly low.
The other thing I have a question to, is this. Cats eat rats, so the parasite alters the rats mind to make the cat eat it so it can reporduce within the cats intestines. If this is the case, why would the parasite alter the human brain in order for humans to eat other humans?
I suppose that it is all. I do not cancel out the chance of a zombie apocalypse, I just do not agree with this article.
I am sorry, but I cannot stand people that do things like try and get attention via interwebs. Chick zombie lady is not a canibal, she wants attention. Oh well, none of my business. I hope zombies do attack, though. I'mma kick some butt.
Life needs passion.
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The most likely apocalypse is a zombie apocalypse, numb nuts.
You doubters know nothing. Go f**k a bible or something.
I can't wait 'til that day comes because you guys will have too much of an ego to accept the fact that the apocalypse would be happening and you would be the first to go. And we would thank your god for that.
That zombiegirl chick is an idiot...
I think
it's going to be a new, stronger version of rabies. Think about it; you froth, you bite, that's how it's transferred, you're batshit insane..
Rabies. I'm f*****g ready.
Zombie Dude...YOUR ARE A f*****g NUT CASE DOUSCHBAG HAHAHAHAHAHAHA your so full of s**t i cant stop laughing ahhhh i havent seen anything that funny online in a while. your pathetic you fantasy hollywood f**k. there is no science behind that jargin you wrote either. you have got to be bi polar or skitzo, like with out a doubt. HAHAHAHA!!!
Jesus Katjie way to kill the buzz of this article, just enjoy it and dont analyze it too much!!
Hate to burst your blood filled bubble on the point of zombie death no.3, but...
CJD is basically a disease that turns human brain into sponge. It's only within one of the very early stages where it attacks the part of the brain that regulates emotions that any form of violence would happen, as this causes mood swings which, to be honest, are outswung by the average pregnant lady.
Even if one day it gets bad enough to become Crazy-Ass-Cow disease, the violent stage would last about 2 minutes, before being quickly followed by a total inability to walk, let alone go in search of brainz
dude your f*****g retarded your not a zombie and they aren't going to rise one day, its all bs get out of fantasy land and realize its all hollywood althought it would be pretty cool if they did but its like pokemon you can only wish it was real. we are more likely to get hit by a meteor or sucked into a black hole then have a zombie out break
Zombie haiku contest, post your entries at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-23718-Tulsa-Zombie-Examiner~y2009m10d1-Zombie-haiku-contest. Thanks all
I know this is terribly old but I would just like to say something to everyone who is under this assumption that zombies are the living dead. We are not. We do not crave brains either. One day there will be a zombie apocalypse and I'll be sitting on the sidelines laughing. Zombieism is another form of cannibalism in the making. You all just wait in see. We will rise and you will fall. All this scientific talk just makes people look stupid. And yes I am being completely serious about all this. Becoming a Zombie isn't that hard, you just need to get bitten, no need for bleeding, for the invasion of your mind to begin. Being a Zombie is truely and 100% fantastic. :]
Ok I Know That Zombies R Not Real U guys Make No Sense At All.
okay im on a ds.the zombie virus wont happen because of parasites it could happen the halloween day.it could only happen in the most people who died.zombies arnt real who ever watched resident evil acoclyspes it will only happen if we have the zombie virus.canada has it and there hiding from not spreading god...
Long story short: no. Do that many people really have this? Probably not. The number is pure speculation. In order to get it you would have to basically eat something after cleaning cat s**t and not wash your hands...AND...you'd have to do that within the first 7 to 10 days after the cat was first infected since that's the only time when it's contagious. Also, it really only affects the personalities of being who get it as babies or while still inside their mothers. It then affects brain development. Normal people with healthy immune systems should have no side effects if they contract this. At worst it has been shown to cause some mild personality changes in people; women show slower reaction to physical stimuli and men show slightly stronger predilections toward jealousy. Big whoop. This article is 100% entertainment. A zombie apocalypse is no closer to happened thanks to this parasite. Oh, and guess what? If you're super duper paranoid...some blood tests can detect it, and some funky antibiotics/chemical treatments can rid you of it. Even though you're ok if you have a healthy immune system. Have AIDS? Then you should worry...
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Sorry zombies and zombiegirl, we show no mercy if you come to my anti zombie island. and watchout for the deathdealers on mainland gathering supplies, survivors rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!