Monday, February 11, 2013

Zombie Apocalypse

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Zombie Apocalypse
 
“Insanity is not a condition but a classification of the state of a mind, by other minds. Roles are reversible.”
 
Insanity, in its’ most basic explanation, is nothing but a set of actions not in conformity with the universally accepted code of conduct, and inexplicable on the basis of motive. So it is possible, in an unforeseeable future, if the majority of population starts behaving in a fashion considered insane today, a refined gentleman from today’s world will be considered insane by that future. But, how does this link with a zombie apocalypse? And, is zombie apocalypse actually possible?
 
The answer to the first one is; today we have a sect of people that fears zombie apocalypse and is preparing for it, a la cult. Tomorrow, if zombie apocalypse happens, possibly the zombies will be scared of human apocalypse, and might start preparing for it. I know it makes no sense, but then, I am not writing a scientific research paper here, even though I will prove this point too.
 
So, to continue with the insane topic of this write-up, let us delve on the next question; “Is zombie apocalypse actually possible?”
 
A simple and scary answer is, yes!
 
Let us just analyse the scientific possibility behind such a catastrophe. Human body is a very detailed and efficient machine, effectively controlled by a small unit inside it; the brain. Brain is assisted in much of its’ functioning by two glands that lie just next and under it, the hypothalamus and the pituitary. While memories are stored inside the brain in the form of chemical compounds, senses and feelings are recorded using peripheral nervous system, and analysed by central nervous system consisting of brain and spinal cord. Much of bodily functions like breathing, blood circulation, body temperature, digestion, defence against pathogens etc, are all subconscious controlled and mechanical. On the other hand, the entire spectrum of intentional activity like walking, handling of objects, learning etc, are all conscious efforts.
 
The moment a person is born, everything in this world and space that a child comes in contact with, forms a learning which is stored in the brain as a memory. However certain actions are not acquired learning, but human body is inherently accustomed to accomplish such tasks as those that satisfy the three basic instincts of hunger, safety and sex. All other learning is stored in human brain in the form of memories, the chemical compounds referred to above. These are accessed again and again as and when the need arises. Now the question is; what will happen if all this learning is wiped off the brain in a flash? And above all, is this possible?
 
The only way such a thing is possible is if the chemical compounds stored in the brain are destroyed completely and permanently, either by the action of a chemical, or by a biological agent. The immediate result will be a human being devoid of all learning, fully grown, and with basic needs of food, water and safety an immediate issue. Everything around him will be unknown and new, hence either a threat or a source of food. Such a human being will have no moral inhibitions that themselves are stored in the form of memories inside the brain, and will have no refinement in actions, for all the ways of carrying oneself in society are a learning stored as memories. Such a human being will act like an animal, an animal that cannot speak or understand, but who only wants to eat and defend himself. He will not understand what sexual urge is, but sure will feel it. And there you have your zombie.
 
But such an individual, if controlled immediately, can be retrained and re-acclimatised to the society, if there is no reason for new learning to be not stored in the brain. But this will happen only if the initial loss was due to a chemical agent that has been removed from the system, either by the body itself, or by an external means. But what if the cause that led to destruction of memory was a biological agent? What if that biological agent can spread like common cold and flu, through spores? Such an agent will not only destroy the initial memory in an individual, but will also inhibit and destroy any future learning too. It may also spread to other individuals through various means of dispersal like air, water and touch, thus resulting in an epidemic.
 
There will be humans on the streets looking to kill anyone for food, sex and safety. They will know no fear, feelings or morals. They will lose their knowledge about how to walk, but might be able to regain balance on their feet after crawling initially in search of food as maintaining balance on feet is a subconscious balancing thing, and so is running, raising and swinging arms wildly in defence and offence, etc. These individuals will kill humans for food over other animals due to human skin being softer and cleaner, for they won’t know and will never be able to learn how to shear a meat before eating, or which parts of meat to eat. They will eat human beings rather than feeding upon each other, for humans beings will be cleaner and non smelly compared to their own injured, dirty and rotting selves. These individuals will kill humans for their own safety as otherwise the humans beings will be gunning for them. Such an infected population will be a zombie population. And this will be the zombie apocalypse!
 
So what can actually cause a zombie apocalypse?
 
A chemical can be used to cause a temporary and localized outbreak in an area as a part of a military or terrorist action, but a large scale event can only transpire if a biological agent like a bacteria or a fungi is involved; something that can reproduce and spread from one individual to another, thus infecting vast stretches of populations. I have not referred to viruses here as the type of zombie condition mentioned here will be caused by destruction of chemicals stored in brain, something that can only be accomplished by a type of organism which either feeds on those chemicals, or secretes chemicals that react with such memory chemicals to destroy them or their activity strength. Viruses on the other hand have a different modus operandi as they infect living cells only to reproduce themselves using the cellular machinery and then get dispersed. Viruses don’t feed on the cells’ contents including chemicals.
 
The mutation needed to convert a free living biological entity into something that can cause such a catastrophe may not be a distinct possibility today, but cannot be ruled out completely either, given the amount of radio, radiation, chemical and other types of industrial, domestic and agricultural pollution humanity is generating. But chances of a rouge scientist or a rogue nation committing such hara-kiri are fairly bright as well. So discretion is needed, prevention is advised, preparation is your call!
 
Fatal Urge Carefree Kiss “Amanpreet Singh Rai”
 
 
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