[Uncle Miltie]

Or does stupidity make you unhygenic and therefore a host to parasites?

[dila813]

Bingo

[OldDeckHand]

"Or does stupidity make you unhygenic and therefore a host to parasites?"

Maybe it's a vicious circle, seriously.

I believe it is reasonably well-accepted science that population groups with reduced access to sufficient (or minimal) quantities complete proteins in their diet, suffer from compromised brain function. I'm thinking of the research done for another controversial book called Guns, Germs & Steel by McNeil. If diet can affect your IQ, why not parasites or viruses?

[VanShuyten]

There have been several studies which have shown that parasites in animals can affect the behavior or physiology of hosts so that the new or odd behavior, or new physiological environment favors the transmission or development of the parasites. Humans are animals, so I don't see any reason why this wouldn't be true for us, too.

I could see where it would be more likely that having parasites makes you dumber and thus more unhygenic, which would increase transmission of parasites.

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

Or does stupidity make you unhygenic and therefore a host to parasites?

---

Beat me to it Unc.

It makes me laugh to see the certainty of the various hypotheses, all to avoid the most obvious one.

Oh well.

[historyrepeatz]

My thoughts exactly. Chicken or egg.. Stupidity also renders the local culture unable to tackle the problem.

[GOPJ]

Or does stupidity make you unhygenic and therefore a host to parasites?

I knew someone would beat me to this conclusion... didn't expect it in the second spot...