Blogpost 2: Psychology of Zombies

WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE ZOMBIES?

          Today, People adapt to what is in trend, popular or famous. We are fund of going with the flow of life in order to cope up or put your life in a place that people are more socially connected. As of our generation, Zombies are quite popular and famous. They were introduced differently in terms of physical, emotional, way of living and what they intend to eat. Because of the information coming out, some people slowly patronize and fascinate zombies. Some unaware non-zombie lover thinking about that why do people fascinate them. What are the reasons? Why zombies? For more further explanation of this, I did my research to answer those questions.

          According to the article entitled, The Psychology of Zombies by Dr. M. G. Saldivar, The Centers of Disease Control see zombies as a useful way to encourage and let the people to be aware in emergency preparedness.

         

         When zombies was popularized, many people fascinated with their existence in the movies, games or television shows.Some people were amused to a zombie-fanatic/zombie-addict and some of them were irritated. I am a zombie-addict that's why I chose this topic to create a blog. For me, Zombies represent a kind of twilight state between life and death that gives us insights in our deepest fears and the coping mechanisms to face those fears. But still, many people are confused. Why I was very fascinated to an undead? How can I stand to watch movies that the main characters eats human flesh and brains? Now, I just noticed, when taking a research, I've found out that we love zombies because it affects us psychologically.

          Another article entitled, Shocking Zombie Research Explains Why We Love "Walking Dead" by Linda Sharps, gives us a broader idea why people tends to be fascinated to zombies by using the movie "The Walking Dead."

          Our mere fascination in zombie have an actual science behind it. People turns to love zombies because of the cultural dissatisfaction and economic upheaval. this explains that because of the happenings in your countries instead of making a move, we focused on watching zombies eating humans not just only we love to see it in high definition but to exercise our rights as a citizen to process your feelings into political dis-empowerment. In short, we love zombies because we hate the people leading in our nation. this theory is based on an English professor who studied zombies while taking her doctoral degree, Sarah Lauro.

           For me, Fascination in zombies is because people see it in a different manner. It is different because of its form, appearance, gestures and way of living. Zombies are more interesting than watching twilight or some dumb love stories. Some people loves to show their love in zombies by drawing, songs, movies or pictures. It is not shameful to make or fascinate zombies because people has different taste and interest in many things. Even me, I am irritated seeing a twilight-fanatic. So, it goes on for me. I might not want their interest and she/he doesn't like my interest about zombies. That's life, we need to have different interest to balance the people's instinct and personality.

HUMAN BRAINS or HUMAN FLESH?

           As we all know, zombies favorite food are BRAIIIINNNNSSSS!Why zombies prefer to eat brain? It's very hard to answer that question but there are some assumptions why do zombies eat brains. According to an article entitled, Why do Zombies Eat Brains? by Maya;

           The real controversy is whether they eat brains or humans flesh. The author was not sure what to answer but the only true for him/her is zombies eat people, period. In the article, the author mentioned a very convincing theory that zombie crave for the that they have lost when they turned to a zombie like mind, consciousness and soul and according to a scientific theory, Brains has a glial cells that can replicate cells and perhaps give them back some of the brain mass that they've lost during decomposition. Theory for metabolism, Brains have fats and cholesterol to sustain its metabolic rate. The author mentioned that the most favorite theory he/she encountered is that Zombies eat brains to avoid competition or to keep the zombies population from increasing to unsustainable level, so that the only ones that will survive are the people who are bitten and then escape. Zombies only eat 40% of a people's body in order for them to be mobile after reanimation. The main answer to the question is, zombies eat both brains and flesh so that the only thing you can do is protect yourself and everybody  and assure everyone's safety.

          

Blogpost 1: Zombies: World-Conquering Creatures

         ROOT OF ITS EXISTENCE

         Resident Evil, The Walking Dead, Zombieland, 28 Days Later, Night of the Living Dead, Last Man Standing, Zomblies, Warm Bodies, Plants Vs. Zombies, Left 4 Dead, Zombies by Cranberries and the World War Z. Those are the Zombie-related movies, song and games that I have been watching, playing and listening since I was in pre-adolescent years.. Even the game Warcraft III that some people are used to does have a relation to zombies because of the scourge alliance that produces ghouls and abominations as their comrades to help invade the opposite alliance ( sentinel ) which can be classified as Zombies and the game can be considered a zombie-related game.

          Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!

         Nowadays, Most of the people are exposed in the world of zombies. But, Aren't we curious about what is a Zombie? Can it be possible to Zombies exist in this world?

          A Zombie is a dead body reincarnated to eat human flesh and brains. They were created by different means. A Zombie was described as a person-figured creature with pale skin, walking with outstretched arms facing in front and have a scary face. The myths believed that if a Zombie bit a human/person, after a couple of time, It will turn as a Zombie and it will starts to live finding someone to eat.

          According to an article named 5 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen by David Wong, Zombies can exist in our world by the use of science. These are the following causes a person could turn into a zombie;

          1. Nanobots

          2. Neurogenesis

          3. The Real Rage Virus

          4. Neurotoxins

          5. Brain Parasites

           Nanobots, technology made and invented in order to made a person terrifying. Its ability can destroy and build. But, some people describes it as a mankind destroyer. Scientist is just resisting the fact that this kind of invention can be a cause of world's destruction. Scientist created nano-cyborg by fusing a silicon chip to a virus. They've found out if this nano-cyborg was implanted to a host, this will remained even the host was deceased. the nanobots will accommodate the damages taking place on your brain. How can it be turn into a zombie? In the future, people will need to program nanobots to keep you body functioning even you die. If you died, your body will will be controlled in order for the nanobots to find a new host. For them to transfer the host should bite a hole in a healthy victim like zombie does.

           Neurogenesis, it is a method to re-grow dead brain cells. This method needs a stem cell in order to process this method. That why this kind of method offers a big controversy into people. Stem Cells came from a human embryo or "fetus". This methods also bring dead back to life by re-growing its brain cells. This was proven because of the fact that a chicken can live and walk around beheaded. If the time comes and this method will be legalized. Many people will use it to produce work slaves. If this will spread, all the workers will be zombify. I will not be shocked if North Korea will have this in the future.

         The Real Rage Virus, it is a virus that turn humans into a mindlessly killing machines. This is where Mad Cow Disease will occur. Mad Cow Disease attacks the cow's spinal cord and brain and it turn to a mindless, stumbling and attacking cow. If a person ate a cow infected by that disease it will turn into a different person and will acquire a disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob. These are the symptoms when a person have this kind of disease;

         - Changes in gait (walking)

          - Hallucinations

          - Lack in Coordination (eg. falling)

          - Muscle Twitching

          - Myoclonic Jerks or Seizure

          - Rapidly developing delirium or dementia

         If this disease will be more critical than normal, it can turn a person to a zombie which will find a healthy victim to transmit this disease by blood-on-blood contact or blood-on-saliva contact which needs a bite to transfer.

        Neurotoxins, this a kind of poison which slows your body functions until you will be considered as dead.  The fugu (Japanese Blowfish) produces this kind of poison. The victims can be brought back to life using a drug called datura stramonium (and other chemicals called alkaloids) that leaves a trance-like person with no memory but can still perform basic task like walking, eating, moaning and shambling around with an outstretch arms facing in front. This cause was happened in Haiti; where zombies originated and was publish and produced to a movie titled The Serpent and the Rainbow. This was happened to a Haitian guy named Clairvius Narcisse who was declared dead and buried in 1962. The investigation turned out that the guy was wandering around all over 18 years and found out that this guy was zombified by a local voodoo priest to work in a sugar plantation. It is just like neurogenesis. If this will be considered, many will have this kind of method to have an obedient workers. But, if those workers will turn aggressive it will turn to a human killing zombie.

       Brain Parasites, this was the common cause among the 5 causes because it is used for many movies as a cause of zombie apocalypse. Parasites turns people to mindless, zombie-like victims. The toxoplasmosa gondii that makes a person to devote itself being terrifying. this was transmitted if this bugs comes in to your intestine and goes through your brain. This like transmitting through food chain;                                                                                                                          
 For me, Science is the mostly cause of a Zombie Apocalypse. Science is very powerful. It proven many facts. So, I must believe that zombie apocalypse is possible. I am excited to know that it possible because as a zombie-addict, I always dreamt to see a real zombie and experience a true to life zombie apocalypse but in the same time, I was scared because many question in my head popped out.  Can i survive if that calamity will happen? Can I help to lessen those zombies? We should be prepared and ready in order to be aware on what will happen to us.

HOW TO SURVIVE IN A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SITUATION?

      Now, we are knowledgeable about that zombie apocalypse is possible. so, we need to take a step in order to survive in that kind of calamity. I will took this opportunity to list some practical way to survive in a zombie apocalypse. This ways was an insight of the article entitled, How to Survive A Zombie Apocalypse: A Beginners Guide by Carl Pettit;

      1.) Don't get bitten by a zombie. It is the first and most important rule. If you were get bitten, in a couple of minutes you will turn into a flesh-eating creature. If that moment comes, you need to decide to tell it immediately to your fellow survivors and let them kill you and bury you peacefully or hide it to them and slowly your turning to one of those zombies.

      2.) Wear a comfortable dress and shoes. for women, avoid using high heels. I prefer to use running shoes, rubber shoes, trail shoes or you could be bare-footed to be more comfortable while running. For the clothes, I prefer to use comfortable t-shirts and jogging pants but it is more good if you putted many layers of clothes as if you can run. Because, it is an another way of preventing to get bitten.

      3.) This way is little kind of discrimination. Avoid fat people. They will just slows you down because fat people has low stamina and easily to get hungry. They will be just a dessert for zombies.

      4.) Stock up many canned goods. dehydrated foods, fuel, medicines, outdoor clothing and weapons. As if you will stay in your house.

      5.) If your house is nearby a body of water, I would prefer to have a boat. Zombies are good runners but they are not good in swimming. They have lack skills in water so that they cannot reach your boat.

     6.) Bomb Shelter could be helpful. But it is not a good idea. because you will be needing many supplies and you can't just stay inside of that house.

     7.) Use teamwork. Don't split up to others. The strength is according to the number of people inside your group. If you are alone, you can handle an army of zombies and you can't get rid of them so, don't be selfish.

     8.) Make your house zombie-proof. Put some traps and alarms if a zombie is approaching through your house. In order for you to be aware and prepare.

     9.)  Stock up back-ups. Prepare other basic things that you need in order not to experience shortage in case of the calamity comes.

     Addition ...

    10.) Weapons are very useful.

    For me, we can survive if it is GOD WILL to let us survive. But, It is also your choice to kill zombies as you can or to be killed and eaten by them.

INTRODUCTION

Purpose:

           This blog was made for a requirement in our subject (RESWRIT). I've chose ZOMBIES as a topic because since I was a kid, I was amazed by the movies which focuses in zombies. Now, I have the power to know more and deeply about them. Zombies burst my curiosity to know them as widely as I can and find out things that I didn't know yet. In this blog I will pursue to let people be knowledgeable about Zombies and how people adapt through changes if zombies will comes into reality.

            I gratefully accept any questions, suggestions or topics that you want me to put in this blog. Thanks in advance. ZOMBIES not only eat brains but also conquer it by invading our CURIOSITY.