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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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