b3ta.com board
You are not logged in. Login or Signup
Home » Messageboard » XXX » Message 10757881 (Thread)

# Viral? It would make bad evolutionary sense for the virus to kill other hosts, as then that host wouldn't be able to spread.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:28, archived)
# Bear in mind that a virus works by literally re-writing a person's DNA, it's not too much to think they can do something to identify between themselves.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:31, archived)
# That's... actually a really good point.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:37, archived)
# I think about zombies a bit too much.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:39, archived)
# It does make a lot of sense though.
Because like you said, a virus wouldn't consume itself, it would only focus on spreading.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:46, archived)
# I read somewhere
that viruses have cell receptors that can identify healthy host cells to infect, and thereby avoid re-infecting ones that are already damaged.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:48, archived)
# In terms of how a virus evolves, this would be logical.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:52, archived)
# Well, not really, as that's down on a cellular level and how a virus attaches itself to a host cell.
The viruses (virii?) themselves aren't aware or in control. It's the changes that are made as a result of them changing the cells in the host's body that cause the host to go zombie on everyone's ass. There would have to be a way for them to tell each other apart using one of the host's existing senses, as it's the host's brain which makes the KILL EAT BRAINS KILL MAUL BRAAAAAINS decision.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:58, archived)
# Existing receptors on a human:
Nose, tongue, skin, ears, eyes and vag.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:03, archived)
# Tongue and skin wouldn't work, as you'd have to touch first, and your zombies would just chase each other around in circles.
It would have to be smell, or sight.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:06, archived)
# How about modified cones to see infrared?
A zombie has to be a different temperature from normal humans (either hot from infection or cold from being dead)
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:10, archived)
# That's what bothers me about zombie films; there has to be a way zombies can tell who is and who isn't infected.
In fact, this was brought up in Shaun of the Dead, when they acted as zombies to get past, but I digress.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:06, archived)
# Pheremones.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:07, archived)
# But if we can tell who's infected and who isn't, why couldn't a zombie?
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:09, archived)
# Behavioural assessment ability is compromised.
Much like people on the interwebs.
*looks around shiftily*
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 22:13, archived)
# The only problem with viral zombies is that they're not dead, they can't be as they'd still need to rely on the body's own infrastructure.
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:50, archived)
# Maybe you ARE a zombie.
Have you considered that?

*dramatic chord*
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:48, archived)
# Hmmm, I can see where you're comin-
*leaps on enceladus and bites off his face*
BRRAAAAAAAAAAAANNNZ!
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:53, archived)
# *oscar-winning death throes and gurgling screams*
(, Sun 29 Apr 2012, 21:57, archived)