Death
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![[*]](http://www.31stsquad.com/wvps/images/oldage/default_icon.gif) posted on 1-13-09 at 12:07 AM |
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Zombies
OK you see zombies on games movies and lots of other stuff. I like zombies and what I post here is mostly what I like or something I seen on Monster
Quest.
Certain branches of Haitian and West African vodou, or voodoo, believe a spirit or spell can bring a corpse back to life to perform heavy labor or
evil deeds for its master, a sorcerer.
Zombies walk like robots. In August 1995, National Geographic magazine reported that men of the Ewe people of Togo, West Africa, chanted a blessing
over sacred knives, which were then pointed at a chicken, which promptly shivered and died without being touched.
I have also heard of many zombie rituals in South America, mainly Brazil. Apparently, as my friend said, because of the country's neglect for the
dead, there are many corpse's in the amazon jungle's. This leads me to think that this might encourage the performing of evil voodoo arts.
Also, there are proven cases of 'voodoo' zombies, which are in fact people who are bought to the brink of death using this certain substance that
lowers your breathing and heart rate by a 'witch doctor'. These people are buried, then dug up soon after and revived by the doctor, but in most
cases they either have lasting brain damage from a combination of lack of oxygen and the drug, or they die. The ones who survive are often sold on by
the 'witch doctor' to plantation owners, as these people's brains have been so badly damaged they are only functioning on basic commands and
therefore do not know who they are, or have any purpose. They mindlessly follow orders and only need basic care.
To make a zombie, a voodoo practitioner makes a potion that consists of mainly the poison of the puffer fish (one of the strongest nerve poisons known
to man, the clinical drug norcuron has similar effects and is used during surgery) that is given to the intended victim. This causes severe
neurological damage, primarily effecting the left side of the brain (the left side of the brain controls speech, memory and motor skills). The victim
suddenly becomes lethargic, then slowly seems to die. In reality, the victim's respiration and pulse becomes so slow that it is nearly impossible to
detect.
The victim retains full awareness as he is taken to the hospital, then perhaps to the morgue and finally as they are buried alive. Then, at the
'voodoo practitioner's' leisure does he come to retrieve the victim, now become a slave, as a commodity (at one time it was said that most of the
slaves who worked in the sugar cane plantations of Haiti were zombies. One case in 1918 had a voodoo priest named Ti Joseph who ran a gang of laborers
for the American Sugar Corporation, who took the money they received and fed the workers only unsalted porridge). A zombie will remain in a robot-like
state indefinitely.
Zombie's are famous, and widely known, as the plot of many movies, stories and even cartoons. Some examples would be Dawn of The Dead, the comedic
version Shawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, and The Serpent on the Rainbow...all thrive on our desire to be dead or alive, not in some in
between state in which we can't be considered either.
Zombies usually are servants to some people. Once given salt, they realize what's happening, and return to their grave. Once the touch the dirt of
their grave, they go back to being dead.
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MisterMiracle21
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| posted on 2-4-09 at 03:11 PM |
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The Serpent on the Rainbow was really the first to make 'voodoo' zombies come into the public light. I believe that someday there will be some sort
of chemical agent or virus that's man-made which creates a 1) zombie like state or 2) an undead soldier. I can't put it past our government to do
such things.
It doesn't matter how hard you get hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward...
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DBieniek
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| posted on 2-8-09 at 12:05 AM |
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With the thousands of people who die every day, it is conceivable that one of them will acquire and spread some mutated virus.
I mean, there are many diseases which cause psychosis and rage; but none, at the time of this posting, that could cause a person to come back to
life.
There are, however, various toxins and medications that can mimic death - venom from the puffer fish and atropine to name a few.
I realize this doesn't quite meet the exact definition of a zombie.
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MisterMiracle21
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| posted on 2-8-09 at 08:20 PM |
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No but it does present a jumping point for such a virus to come around. You're right Dave, who's to say that such a virus doesn't exist already in
a dead body.
It doesn't matter how hard you get hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward...
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DBieniek
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| posted on 2-12-09 at 11:52 AM |
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Skeptics love to debunk zombies and the undead. The idea of a zombie outbreak presents several logical points open for debate, such as causes,
physiology, the contagious nature of an epidemic and even if a reanimated corpse is possible.
Most skeptics illustrate that conventional, “real” zombies exist only as a product of voodoo sorcery using tetrodotoxin as a means to incapacitate and
render almost unconscious their victims.
For the sake of this post, I will be referring to a zombie as not a member of the undead, but rather human bodies acting seemingly without a will of
their own, with an intention to consume, destroy, or otherwise cause general grief to the remaining human populace.
Please note that this post should not be considered an exhaustive statement or complete analysis of the zombie phenomenon.
Zombies in popular culture form three distinct classes:
Walking Dead - undead, walking dead or reanimated corpses
Viral - viral, parasitic or infected humans
Scientific - scientifically altered humans, through radiation, poisons or drugs, or psychic conditioning
The Walking Dead
Our current understanding of human physiology, biology and chemistry tell us that a human corpse cannot rise, reactivate or in any other way
reanimate. There must exist an external stimulus to bring about reanimation. If such a stimulus succeeds in reanimating a corpse though electricity,
nutrient rich serum, or some strange radioactive measure, the corpse will still have difficulty with life support. A reanimated brain can function and
provide basic skills such as breathing, blood pumping and simple motor skills, operating on a primitive, feral level.
The reanimated head and brain show signs of smell, taste hearing and sight. This is evidenced by previous Soviet and current American experiments. An
undead person would have one thought: feed to keep the body moving. The only problem is, the entire body would also be reanimated and would need
energy to survive, much like any other human does. Air, water, food. Assuming a physiology like that of the living, a heart shot would be just as
effective in destroying the undead. Muscles need air and energy, and this is pumped by the blood.
Undead Physiology
If the physiology of the undead changes, it is a different matter. Muscles can operate through electricity alone, that’s how they work at the most
basic level. Apply a current and a muscle will tense; remove it and it will relax. Corpses always contain rot and the organisms involved in breaking
down dead tissue. If the process in reanimating the corpse causes its brain to be active and conduct electricity, the body is essentially a walking
meat-machine. The organisms and acids responsible for breakdown of the body will still be present. The moving muscles of the body will produce enough
heat to slow or halt the decomposition. The remaining bacteria will remain internal, and begin slowly decomposing the body from the inside. An
introduction of warm flesh (human or other mammals) to the zombies digestive system will prevent the necrotizing organisms from eating the zombie.
Necessary energies for locomotion would be converted from the byproducts of digesting fresh flesh, and absorbed through the decaying flesh.
If radiation is involved, certain properties could dispel decomposition or produce mutations responsible for an adaptive physiology. In either
situation, the corpse is not conscious. It would operate on an instinctual level that could include self-preservation through an aggressive nature. It
would be more efficient to use muscles slowly, but short bursts of strength or speed could be produced.
Undead Transmission
If the cause of a reanimated corpse is through scientific methods such as resuscitation, electrical reanimation or means as yet uncovered, infectious
transmission will probably be nil, as the means of reanimation will be artificial.
However, if the zombies saliva, grey matter or blood contains a toxic solution or causes mutation of the host’s physiology, infection could occur.
Transmission of disease and horrible toxins can cause a rapid sickness in a bitten victim, causing death. They may not awaken as a zombie, but could
certainly be susceptible to the same factors that reanimated earlier corpses.
Parasitic Infections
There exist in nature certain organisms that cause paralysis, altered survival, behavioral and sexual patterns and can even make their host suicidal.
They use either toxins, neural paralysis or behave as parasites to cause their host to enter a state of zombism, sacrificing itself for the
reproductive nature of the parasite.
Zombie-like-state Causes
The emerald cockroach wasp (Ampulex compressa) is a parasitoid wasp that temporarily paralyzes cockroaches, and takes
careful aim at the roaches brain, nullifying its evasive response. The wasp then controls the roach through its antennae, much like a dog on a leash.
It steers the heavy roach to its lair, where the wasp lays eggs that later hatch and eat their way out.
Similarly, an unclassified species of Costa Rican wasp attacks an orb weaving spider, which is temporarily paralyzed as it lays eggs
on the tip of the spider’s abdomen. On the night before the parasitic larvae kill their host, normal web-weaving events take a bizarre turn. Through
some unknown mechanism, the larvae compel their host spider to build a web that is very different from that it has always constructed before - the
spider builds a stout, reinforced platform which is much smaller. When the new web is complete, the larvae kill their host, and cocoon themselves on
the structure.
Toxoplasma gondii is a species of parasitic protozoa that has an interesting means of reproduction. It has the ability to
change the behavior of rats and mice, making them drawn to, rather than fearful of, the scent of cats. This effect is advantageous to the parasite,
which will be able to sexually reproduce if its host is eaten by a cat. The infection is almost surgical in its precision. Human behavior may also be
affected in some ways, and correlations have been found between latent Toxoplasma infections and various characteristics such as decreased reactionary
time, feelings of insecurity, neuroticism, and possibly even cases of schizophrenia and paranoia. T. gondii is also correlated strongly with
an increase in boy births in humans, leading to an alteration of the human sex proportion. Other possible behavior modifications are suggested by a
study suggesting that people not infected with the parasite found women with toxoplasma more attractive. Similarly, brain eating amoeba cause death in
humans - and show little signs until its too late.
On a larger scale, the nematomorph hairworm (Spinochordodes tellinii) hairworm lives and breeds in fresh water. However, it
spends a part of its life eating the insides of live grasshoppers and then brainwashing the grasshopper into committing suicide by hopping into a
pool of water and drowning.
Rabies. Need I mention this? It already carries the common traits of traditional Zombism. Rabies lives in the brain, is transmitted
through infectious saliva and alters an animals mind to produce an aggressive, rage filled state. Infections in humans also can cause paralysis,
hydrophobia and hallucinations.
Admittedly, a parasitic brain-stabbing wasp or hairworm has quite a leap to go from a simple insect to a human host. It is within reason to assume
that such a wasp could attempt an attack on small mammals or otherwise mutate or evolve its patterns if roaches are in low supply or develop
counter-tactics. As mammals don’t have antennae their ability to steer one is a bit of a stretch. Yet, a mammalian host is still receptive to being
internally devoured by wasp larvae or hairworms. With an effective species jump, the hairworm could cause mammals to produce similar suicidal traits.
Neither of these would result in zombism, but serve to illustrate brain chemistry and that an organisms behavior can be modified to that of even the
smallest parasite. T. gondii’s decreasing the male populous is interesting, as it shows even homo sapiens is susceptible to mind and biology
altering parasites.
Zombie Parasite Transmission
Rabies serves as the most interesting and most likely candidate for infectious parasitic zombism. While not a zombie in the conventional undead sense,
all the characteristics would be displayed, mainly an aggressive nature, infected brain matter, and transmission through saliva. Infected humans of a
mutated or even radioactive strain of rabies would definitely exhibit these feral symptoms - and would probably be fast too. As shown in the remake of
“Dawn of the Dead” or the “28 Days Later” movies, fast zombies are a real problem. Though a “zombie” in thoughtless, rage filled terms, a head shot
will still bring these humans down. Heart and body shots are another matter - filled with adrenaline and crazed, they may exhibit symptoms of
“quislings” and not be brought down as easily as uninfected humans.
Scientifically Altered States
The third, and most probable cause (though mush less dangerous) is through an altered state of consciousness. George A. Romero or John Carpenter would
have us believe we’re already in this state if commercialism, suburbanites and mass apathy are any indication. However, I am referring to altered
brain and body states as induced by hypnosis, toxins or other physiological or pathological exposure.
Altered Consciousness
As documented in “The Serpent and the Rainbow,” the tetrodotoxin of the puffer fish can be used by voodoo priests to cause a zombie-like state of near
death. TTX is a highly potent neurotoxin which causes paralysis and eventual death. Gram for gram, TTX is 10,000 times more lethal than cyanide and
possesses a terrifying modus operandi — 25 minutes after exposure it begins to paralyze, leaving the brain fully aware of what’s happening. Death
usually results, within hours, from suffocation or heart failure. No antidote exists. A victim pronounced dead can be lucky enough to wake up just
before his funeral, fully conscious and aware of his surroundings throughout the entire ordeal. TTX has the unusual characteristic that if a nonlethal
dose is given, the brain will remain completely unaffected. If just the right dose is given, the toxin will mimic death in the victim, whose vitals
will slow to an immeasurable state, and whose body will show signs of rigor mortis and even produce the odor of rot. Blood will pool, lividity will
set in; a pronunciation of clinical death will result.
Methods induced by sickness, hypnosis or radiation could produce a similar, slowed-brained result. In either case, the zombified person would be
neither dead nor aggressive (unless provoked or instructed to be), most likely a threat only to his or herself.
Transmission
Transmission of this type of zombie would be impossible, as the source of zombification remains with the host - either through poisoning or hypnosis.
This is non-transferable and the process could in fact be reversed with proper medical care or a well-placed snipers bullet. This type of zombism is
seen as the only plausible kind, and skeptics debunk it as a world-ender much as I have. However, they fail to mention the above methods.
Conclusion
Voodoo zombies remain a curse - but only in the literary sense. Thoroughly studied, they pose no threat to humankind. Research into reanimating or
resuscitating the recently deceased is under investigation and has been in practice since the 1940’s - but no serious headway has been made, and the
physiology of keeping some dead thing alive takes a bit of a stretch - but could be possible.
The most probable cause of a zombie pandemic would be through an opportunistic or mutated parasitic organism or virus. Virii remain the dominant form
of life on the planet, able to quickly mutate, adapt and change to live (and kill) a variety of hosts.
Vaccination serves little purpose and would only serve as an opiate or pacifying agent - much like “Phalanx” in Max Brooks’ "World War Z." The cause
of zombies in his world is through a virus called "Solanum" which reanimates corpses, turning their blood to goo and bears many of the same
characteristics of zombies.
Should any of the discussed sources merge or attack at the same time - god help us. Stay away from rabid dogs!
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esoteric
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| posted on 2-12-09 at 09:30 PM |
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Dave that was an amazing post, you bring up a lot of good points about different things that could mimic the zombie like behaviour.
All it would take would be one of those things to mutate..as viruses do..to cause z-day.
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"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." -- Thomas Jefferson
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thesecret
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| posted on 2-13-09 at 12:01 PM |
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Wow, that is terrifying news especially when I just read that we only know about less than 10% of species on Earth. There's so many in the ones we do
know about that cause this, what others can cause this and far worse symptoms?
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ADNOCTUM
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| posted on 2-17-09 at 01:10 PM |
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wait so you're saying zombies are real??
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DBieniek
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| posted on 2-17-09 at 01:34 PM |
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Not exactly; I'm citing specific organisms and chemicals that are capable of producing a zombie-like state. Through these citations, we can
understand the potential ways someone would become "zombified."
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MisterMiracle21
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| posted on 2-17-09 at 03:09 PM |
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The only way we'll know if zombies are real, is if there is an outbreak.
It doesn't matter how hard you get hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward...
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esoteric
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| posted on 2-17-09 at 09:01 PM |
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I wonder if, like UFOs, the government would cover up isolated cases?
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"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." -- Thomas Jefferson
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MisterMiracle21
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| posted on 2-18-09 at 03:20 PM |
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Oh I have no doubt. I'm sure they'd let such a virus that could turn the dead into zombies on some small town. They could chalk it up to some
mysterious disease that has been contained ya know. Much like the Resident Evil games where Umbrella Corp. tried to cover it up.
It doesn't matter how hard you get hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward...
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thesecret
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| posted on 3-7-09 at 05:42 PM |
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Why unleash it on a town when they could test it on a single subject in a secure lab? That's why none of the RE movies made any sense to me.
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Liberty
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| posted on 3-9-09 at 02:13 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by thesecret
Why unleash it on a town when they could test it on a single subject in a secure lab? That's why none of the RE movies made any sense to me.
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Why do they do half of the things they do? It's all in the name of "science" and "development." 
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Cableguy256
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| posted on 4-11-09 at 08:09 AM |
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I actually got into this convo with a co-worker last week... I think the first tests of re-animating a corpse will be, or have been, successful using
simple electrical impulses sent through the corpse using some sort of 'pulse-generator'... think about it, our bodies function through electrical
impulses sent from the brain through the nervous system... now when you die and the undertaker does his thing, they don't remove the brain or nervous
system, so would it be so hard for some gov't scientist to build a machine that will mimic the electrical impulses generated by the brain and implant
this device into a corpse?
I'm not saying that this would create the brain-eating zombies that we're used to seeing from hollywood, but rather a corpse that they can have full
control over. What do you all think?
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