Posted on 07/31/2013 6:52:36 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse: Just Do the Math
This equation could spell your doom: (bN)(S/N)Z = bSZ. That is, if you ever found yourself in the midst of a zombie pandemic.
That's because the calculation describes the rate of zombie transmission, from one walking dead individual to many, according to its creators, Robert J. Smith?, a mathematics professor at the University of Ottawa who spells his name with a "?" at the end, and his students. Smith's work has inspired other researchers to create zombie mathematical models, which will be published with Smith's work in the upcoming book, "Mathematical Modeling of Zombies" (University of Ottawa Press, 2014).
Though of course done tongue-in-cheek, Smith's study demonstrates why zombies are the viruses of the monster world. Their likeness to viruses makes the creatures ideal subjects for theoretical epidemiological analyses, which can be used to capture the public's imagination as well as explore scientific principles, Smith said.
As for a zombie apocalypse, Smith's model shows that a zombie infection would spread quickly (with N representing total population, S the number of susceptible people, Z the zombies, and bthe likelihood of transmission). It also shows that zombies would overtake the world there's no chance for a "stable equilibrium" in which humans could coexist with the undead or eradicate the disease.
Only coordinated attacks against the zombies would save humanity, the model shows.
Epidemiology and 'WWZ'
Models of disease outbreaks, like the one Smith developed, play a prominent role in real-life epidemiology, Smith said.
"Unlike most popular monsters, zombies are inherently biological in nature," said Mat Mogk, founder of the Zombie Research Society. "They don't fly or live forever, so you can apply real-world biological models to them."
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Based on the same flawed mathematical models as the mythical man made global warming, no doubt.
"the rate of zombie transmission" is purely theoretical at this point. Is it "x"? A constant? Is transmission always a given or is there any immunity (consider The Last Man On Earth)? Is it a slow process of transformation (as it was earlier in the Romero movies) or instantaneous (as in modern fare)? What is the manor by which dead bodies are reanimated that have not been bitten by a "zombie" (this too was observed in the early Romero film cycle)?
Too many unknowns to be offering a speculative formula at this point to determine the "odds of survival".
The CDC also thinks any incidents involving guns are a “disease”.
The term “Zombies” is a proxy for the hordes of “EBT people” who will be roaming the streets trying to take what they were formerly given before the dollar collapsed.
No one calls you a racist for preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
See the problem is that we have melded to different genres into one and call it Zombies.
The split in genres are usually referred to as Romero Zombies.. and Boyle Zombies...
The problem is that the second one is a misnomer.
Zombies die and then reanimate to feed on the living. This is the very definition of Romero Zombies. (He created the cult classic Night of the Living Dead)
Boyle Zombies do not die therefore they aren't Zombies. They are "infected" with a virus and the transmission is via blood/biting. Boyle Zombies got their name from the creator of the Movie 28 Days Later. His name is Danny Boyle. In the Movie Boyle Zombies are infected with a weaponized Virus called Rage. It Speeds up the metabolism of the infected and drives them crazy and they go into a killing rage attacking people with their bare hands. Thus you get Fast Zombies.
Now here is the scary part. Romero Zombies have about a 1 in a billion chance of happening (Not my opinion there is actually scientific studies that lay out how such could occur and the chances.)
However, the chances of "Boyle Zombies" A.K.A. "infected" are far more likely. (still not a probable outcome)All you need is a nasty virus that attacks the brain (something like Rabies) which affects the higher order brain functions leaving the infected a walking/grunting drone that is subject to violent behavior. (Imagine Liberalism on steroids) If the transmission method mutates into a bugger that can get you by simple touch or body fluids transmission then you got yourself a full blown Zombiepocalypse brewing.
What were the odds of a big bang happening from nothingness?
Zero. Not effectively zero; not almost zero; completely zero.
Sorry. I meant dynachrome.
I just got home from work. A little beat up right now.
THAT is perfect!
This spent 30 years in the Alaskan bush starting in 1968.
http://www.dickproenneke.com/
Finally came back to civilization at age 82 in 1998.
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