I mean thier feeding habits creates more zombies that require more food, making it soon impossible have enough humans around to supply the evergrowing zombie population. Where would the more intelligent zombies go from there?
Once Louis has eaten your frontal lobes you won't even be able to remember being worried about this.
I am especially worried about French Zombies. Have you seen what they do to geese in France? At least with an honest anglo saxon zombie its over quickly. Louis will be tying you to a chair and forcing you to read Sartre and Voltaire until your brain is fattened up enough for his refined tastes.
10-29-2007, 14:29
yesdachi
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Hey Guys,
I love the zombie preparation talk. I would have to say a shotgun would probably the best weapon for a zombie encounter as long as the ammo holds out after that I think a hammer, bat, hatchet, sword, mace, etc. are all good melee choices.
I think fire would be a poor choice, as unstable as they are they would end up catching the whole dang house on fire, napalm a field of them is ok but no fire in or near the house.
In addition to a shotgun and hammer I think I would go with a roll of duct tape. That’s right, the poor mans remedy for any household dilemma would be incredibly useful covering up all those weak spots on ones person. I can get clothes to cover up most areas but I would tape up the ankles, wrists, neck, and any other cliché area that a biter might pick as a target. How often do you see one pop out from under a car and bite an ankle, screw that, I’m taping up.
I have been reading a great comic that follows the misadventures of a group of the living after the zombie epidemic. They have setup in a prison, big walls and three layers of fence to keep them safe plus a “yard” to grow some food, sounds pretty good except…well, check it out for yourselves.
5 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen
By David Wong, TE Sloth
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
Parasites that turn victims into mindless, zombie-like slaves are fairly common in nature. There's one called toxoplasmosa gondii that seems to devote its entire existence to being terrifying.
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 *******-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:
Hey, did we mention that half the human population on Earth is infected with toxoplasmosa, and don't know it? Hey, maybe you're one of them. Flip a coin.
Oh, also, they've done studies and shown that the infected see a change in their personality and have a higher chance of going ******* insane.
Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
Humans and rats aren't all that different; thats why they use them to test our drugs. All it takes is a more evolved version of toxoplasmosa, one that could to do us what it does to the rats. So, imagine if half the world suddenly had no instinct for self-preservation or rational thought. Even less than they do now, we mean.
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.
#4. Neurotoxins
What are they?
There are certain kinds of poisons that slow your bodily functions to the point that you'll be considered dead, even to a doctor (okay, maybe not to a good doctor). The poison from fugu (Japanese blowfish) can do this.
The victims can then be brought back under the effects of a drug like datura stramonium (or other chemicals called alkaloids) that leave them in a trance-like state with no memory, but still able to perform simple tasks like eating, sleeping, moaning and shambling around with their arms outstretched.
How it can result in zombies:
"Can?" How about "does."
This stuff has happened in Haiti; that's where the word "zombie" comes from. There are books about it, the most famous ones by Dr. Wade Davis (Passage of Darkness and The Serpent and the Rainbow). Yes, the movie The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on this guy's actual science stuff. How much of it was fact? Well, there was that one scene where they strapped the guy naked to a chair and drove a huge spike through his balls. We're hoping that part wasn't true.
What is definitely true is the story of Clairvius Narcisse. He was a Haitian guy who was declared dead by two doctors and buried in 1962. They found him wandering around the village 18 years later. It turned out the local voodoo priests had been using naturally occurring chemicals to basically zombify people and putting them to work on the sugar plantations (no, really).
So, the next time you're pouring a little packet of sugar into your coffee, remember that it may have been handled by a zombie at some point.
Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
On the one hand, it's already ******* happened! So that earns it some street cred right off the bat. But, even if some evil genius intentionally distributed alkaloid toxins to a population to turn them into a shambling, mindless horde, there is no way to make these zombies aggressive or cannabalistic.
Yet.
#3. The Real Rage Virus
What is it?
In the movie, it was a virus that turned human beings into mindless killing machines. In real life, we have a series of brain disorders that do the same thing. They were never contagious, of course. Then, Mad Cow Disease came along. It attacks the cow's spinal cord and brain, turning it into a stumbling, mindless attack cow.
And, when humans eat the meat ...
How it can result in zombies:
When Mad Cow gets in humans, they call it Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Check out the symptoms:
Changes in gait (walking)
Hallucinations
Lack of coordination (for example, stumbling and falling)
Muscle twitching
Myoclonic jerks or seizures
Rapidly developing delirium or dementia
Sure, the disease is rare (though maybe not as rare as we think) and the afflicted aren't known to chase after people in murderous mobs. Yet.
But, it proves widespread brain infections of the Rage variety are just a matter of waiting for the right disease to come along.
Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
If the whole sudden, mindless violence idea seems far-fetched, remember that you are just one brain chemical (serotonin) away from turning into a mindless killing machine (they've tested it by putting rats in Deathmatch-style cages and watching them turn on each other). All it would take is a disease that destroys the brain's ability to absorb that one chemical and suddenly it's a real-world 28 Days Later.
So, imagine such an evolved disease, which we'll call Super Mad Cow (or, Madder Cow) getting a foothold through the food supply. Say this disease spreads through blood-on-blood contact, or saliva-on-blood contact. Now you have a Rage-type virus that can be transmitted with a bite.
Just like the movie. With one bite, you're suddenly the worst kind of zombie:
A fast zombie.
#2. Neurogenesis
What is it?
You know all that conversy out there about stem cell research? Well, the whole thing with stem cells is that they can basically be used to re-generate dead cells. Particularly of interest to zombologists like ourselves is neurogenesis, the method by which they can re-grow dead brain tissue.
You can see where this is going.
How it can result in zombies:
You wanted the undead to make an appearance in this article? Well, here you go, you creepy bastards.
Science can pretty much save you from anything but brain death; they can swap out organs but when the brain turns to mush, you're gone. Right?
Well, not for long. They're already able to re-grow the brains of comatose head trauma patients until they wake up and walk around again.
Couple that with the new ability to keep a dead body in a state of suspended animation so that it can be brought back to life later, and soon we'll be able to bring back the dead, as long as we get to them quickly enough.
That sounds great, right? Well, this lab dedicated to "reanimation research" (yes, that's what they call it) explains how the process of "reanimating" a person creates a problem. It causes the brain to die off from the outside in. The outside being the cortex, the nice part of you that makes humans human. That just leaves the part that controls basic motor function and primitive instincts behind.
You don't need the cortex to survive; all you need is the stem and you'll still be able to mindlessly walk and eat and enjoy Grey's Anatomy. This is how chickens can keep walking around after they've been beheaded (including one case where the chicken lived for 18 months without a head).
So, you take a brain dead patient, use these techniques to re-grow the brain stem, and you now have a mindless body shambling around, no thoughts and no personality, nothing but a cloud of base instincts and impulses.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we like to call a real, live, undead ******* zombie. So there.
Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
Think about it. Under every legal system in the world, all rights and responsibilities are terminated at death. All it takes is someone with resources and a need for a mindless workforce of totally obedient slave labor.
How long until somebody tries this? We're betting somebody in the world, maybe North Korea, will have a working zombie by Christmas.
#1. Nanobots
What are they?
Nanobots are a technology that science apparently engineered to make you terrified of the future. We're talking about microscopic, self-replicating robots that can invisbily build--or destroy--anything. Vast sums of money are being poured into nanotechnology. Sure, at some level scientists know nanobots will destroy mankind. They just can't resist seeing how it happens.
How it can result in zombies:
Scientists have already created a nano-cyborg, by fusing a tiny silicone chip to a virus. The first thing they found out is these cyborgs can still operate for up to a month after the death of the host. Notice how nano scientists went right for zombification, even at this early stage. They know where the horror is.
According to studies, within a decade they'll have nanobots that can crawl inside your brain and set up neural connections to replace damaged ones. That's right; the nanobots will be able to rewire your thoughts. What could possibly go wrong?
Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
Do the math, people.
Some day there will be nanobots in your brain. Those nanobots will be programmed to keep functioning after you die. They can form their own neural pathways, meaning they can use your brain to keep operating your limbs after you've deceased and, presumably, right up until you rot to pieces in mid-stride.
The nanobots will be programmed to self-replicate, and the death of the host will mean the end of the nanobots. To preserve themselves, they'd need to transfer to a new host. Therefore, the last act of the nanobot zombie would be to bite a hole in a healthy victim, letting the nanobots steam in and set up camp in the new host. Once in, they can shut down the part of the brain that resists (the cortex) and leave the brain stem intact. They will have added a new member to the unholy army of the undead.
Now, it should be more than clear by this point that our goal is to be responsible researchers. We don't want to create a panic here. All we're saying is that on an actual day on the actual calendar in the future, runaway microscopic nanobots will end civilization by flooding the planet with the cannabalistic undead.
Science has proven it.
10-29-2007, 19:12
edyzmedieval
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
That's a joke right? I'm never gonna eat Japanese fish again and Im going straight to a psychaiatrist to check myself. :inquisitive:
People!!!
You forgot one method!!!
Play Manhunt and apply what you see. :grin:
10-29-2007, 19:57
Whacker
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
I think it's important to establish what KIND of zombies we might be up against. Are we talking 60's horror flick low speed shambling zombies? Or are we talking sprinter speed glass-breaking intelligent zombies? Which is actually more probable?
10-29-2007, 21:28
Banquo's Ghost
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whacker
I think it's important to establish what KIND of zombies we might be up against. Are we talking 60's horror flick low speed shambling zombies? Or are we talking sprinter speed glass-breaking intelligent zombies? Which is actually more probable?
Shambling zombies, without a doubt. They have a long recorded tradition and heck, dead things just don't move that fast. They overwhelm by sheer numbers and persistence and you need to do much more damage than just explode their brains - an organ the true zombie has little regard or use for.
"Intelligent zombie" is an oxymoron, and sprinting zombie undead are just the marketing gimmicks of cocaine fuelled game designers. The very concept is a dangerous distraction to our preparedness.
Let's face it, if zombies can move fast, what are vampires for?
10-29-2007, 21:34
The Celtic Viking
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whacker
I think it's important to establish what KIND of zombies we might be up against. Are we talking 60's horror flick low speed shambling zombies? Or are we talking sprinter speed glass-breaking intelligent zombies? Which is actually more probable?
We'll probably be up against both. The first will be fast, but the ones they bite will be slower and so on. The ones the slower bites, will be even slower. Simple mathematics says that in the beginning, we'll be up against fast ones, but as the turning progress, slow ones will start to be the dominating kind. Exactly how much slower each new "generation" becomes is unknown, but what we do know is that the speed difference between the generations becomes smaller and smaller with each generation, and in the end there will be no noticable difference. That is about the speed of zombies in the old 60's horror flicks you mention. The physical condition of the person before turning may also have a limited effect.
That is my theory at least.
I will be pretty safe though. I live in the top level of an apartment house, so zombies will have trouble getting up to me. Zombies tend to have a problem opening heavy doors, and can, to my knowledge, not break iron doors. If they somehow make it up all the way, there's still my own door with locks ready. Those will be blockaded if need be. My biggest problem then would be logistical, with keeping the food supply high, or at least sufficient.
I'm afraid the only weapon I could lay my hands on would be a knife, possibly a wooden sword. Perhaps a regular hammer would be a better choice, to smash the heads with. I lack any kind of body armour, so I'll have to rely on thick clothes, speed and agility to avoid the bites instead. Not easy if they actually get into my tiny apartment, but I could try escaping down the balcony way. It is possible, though certainly not easy, to get from balcony to balcony and then down on the ground, but not exactly safe. The worst thing that could happen would be me falling and breaking my neck, but that would just kill me. Better than turning into a zombie... because you have to be alive to be able to turn into a zombie, right? Right?!
Oh god... I just realized there's an even worse fate than that. I could fall down and "only" become paralyzed. Then I could only lie there and either starve to death, or wait for a zombie to bite me. Oh, what a horrible thought.
Edit: Banquo's answer wasn't there when I wrote mine, so here goes my answer to that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BG
Let's face it, if zombies can move fast, what are vampires for?
Vampires do not lose speed with each generation. Their wit is actually better than they were in life, are much more agile than zombies (even the fast ones) and they have a much longer life span than zombies (the vampire immortality against the zombie's <12 months). They can jump much higher, can climb, blend in with people... in any way, in straight 1on1 the vampire would always trump the zombie (unless the zombie was really, really lucky). However, zombies tend to spread faster, can move in light and is a pack animal while vampires are loners. Fast zombies are not as fast as in "28 days later", though, that I agree with.
10-29-2007, 23:25
Justiciar
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Quote:
...based on this guy's actual science stuff.
:brood:
10-30-2007, 01:17
The Celtic Viking
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Yes, of course. I would not spread lies in here, honest.
10-30-2007, 03:55
TevashSzat
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
This is what I can deduce from playing through Half Life 2:
For the slow old zombies that wander around, any good old blunt object will do such as a handy crowbar, but you need good reflexes to dodge their swings. If you don't some pistol shots would work fine. One shotgun blast to the head will do the trick, but I think thats wasting ammo
Those fast little suckers are pretty quick; a shotgun is the perfect thing here if you can get the head shots, but should you be a bit too trigger happy to wield a shotgun, an automatic/semiauto gun works well too.
For this nasty little buggers that like to throw stuff at you, a TON of close shotgun blasts will do the trick, but IMO, a flaming explosive barrel or a grenade will do the trick.
Conclusion: Shotgun does wonders against normal zombies/faster ones if you have good aim, but generally wastes too much ammo given the number of zombies there usually are.
Recommended: Either a pistol with lots of shots or an automatic rifle with lots of rounds with a couple of grenades thrown in there for clearing out crowds/nasty ones.
10-30-2007, 15:26
Kagemusha
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
After reading this thread throughout carefully. Im afraid that the apocalypse has already begun and France and US may already be overrun by the zombie menace, or at least partly. Lemur and Louis seem to already have turned into zombies based on their posts. I have read studies that the undead have an habit to try and imitate their normal habits before they were turned to living death and that seems to be case with our French and American friends. Now i think is the time to run for the hills and pray that the Octosquid Overlords arrive to save the humankind before its too late.:boxedin:
11-02-2007, 10:18
Hepcat
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
I ain't worried about any zombies. I feel safe enough floating out here in the pacific on my island. :tongue2:
Although if there were a zombie sheep epidemic, then I'd start worrying. :sweatdrop:
11-03-2007, 12:19
Rodion Romanovich
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Judging from reading this thread, there are still some humans who haven't been turned into zombies yet :evil:
11-03-2007, 15:48
Lemur
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hepcat
Although if there were a zombie sheep epidemic, then I'd start worrying.
This scenario has already been considered and dealt with.
I think you're all over-reacting. We know true life is seldom like the movies: when the zombie epidemic occurs, how do we know they aren't actually vegetarians? They could be more interested in eating all our cabbages and turnips than our brains, two things I'm not bothered about being without.
Think on before needlessly installing a weapons stockade in your bedroom.
Hahahaha, yes join my game. Thank you Andres for advertising.
Anyway I think spending all those summers playing Resident Evil will pay off.
11-28-2007, 06:19
Crazed Rabbit
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Quote:
Originally Posted by professorspatula
I think you're all over-reacting. We know true life is seldom like the movies: when the zombie epidemic occurs, how do we know they aren't actually vegetarians? They could be more interested in eating all our cabbages and turnips than our brains, two things I'm not bothered about being without.
Think on before needlessly installing a weapons stockade in your bedroom.
You can never 'needlessly' install an armory in your bedroom.
CR
11-28-2007, 12:46
Rodion Romanovich
Re: Zombie Defense Station?
Well, having an armory in your bedroom is a bad idea if you're in the kitchen while the burglars enter through your bedroom window... :hide:
