Zombies Are Already Among Us…Kinda: Why ‘The Last of Us’ zombie apocalypse theory is the only probable theory.

In the lead up the the upcoming sequel of the hugely popular and successful game ‘The Last of Us’, I wanted to replay the game, not only to refresh my memory on the storyline, but also because I loved the game. I am sure I am not the only one who feels that ‘The Last of Us’ is one of the best games they have ever played.

I personally love a realistic theory. For me, realistic theories in the horror genre are the scariest. Out of all the iconic horror movie villains, I find Dr. Hannibal Lecter the scariest. Why? Because there are people like him who exist. Google it. There are one too many articles on cannibals and pies made of people. That kind of stuff scares me compared to say Jason from ‘Friday the 13th’. (I mean, he went through a wood chipper; how do you come back from that?!)

In ‘The Last of Us’, we know that a fungus is responsible for the rise of zombies on earth, where being been bitten by a zombie or by breathing in the spores will zombify you. The fungus, although never really names by the main characters of the game, it is explained in the opening credits after the prologue and little notes and files that you find in the game which contain more detailed information about an infection known as the Cordyceps Brain Infection (CBI). I find this scary. Why? Because Cordyceps actually exists.

Cordyceps is an abbreviated version of the genus name Ophiocordyceps. The species of fungus under this genus are known for their ‘zombie-like’ effects on some animals; most notably ants. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is the most well known species of this fungus group and is found in the tropical rainforests of Thailand and Brazil. 

When ants come into contact with this fungus, the fungus attaches itself to them. If the fungus can get past the exoskeleton, the fungus quickly goes to work, essentially taking over the brain of the host. Healthy ants are able to identify infected individuals and will remove infected ones far away from the nest to prevent the colony from being destroyed by the fungus. 

This is where the stereotypical side of zombies comes in with the obsession of BRAAAAINS. Once the fungus has taken hold of the host, it will use the host to take it to a new place to grow. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis makes its host ant will climb up trees and bite into a main vein on the underside of a leaf. From there, the fungus’ reproductive body grows out of the ant’s head releasing new spores to attach to new hosts.

This links in with ‘The Last of Us’ theory where the infected individuals known as Clickers have a fungal head. Later in the infection cycle, individuals infected long enough are eventually killed by the fungus so that the fungus can releases spores from the corpse to infect new hosts. This also relates to one of the main characters, Ellie. Although she is “immune” to CBI, the fungus is in her brain. We find out at the end of the game that the surgery Ellie must undergo in order to find a cure to CBI would have ultimately killed her (unbeknown to her) as it involved removing her brain for study. 

So how could this theory become a reality? Take note of the word in the title ‘probable’. In some countries, Cordyceps is already used as a homeopathic medicine for everything from coughs to cancer, so the fungus wouldn’t find it difficult to get into our systems. The only thing that this theory hinges on is the slim possibility of evolution; for the fungus to evolve to take humans as hosts. But evolution is never a sure thing. Evolution is about perfecting imperfect designs for organisms to survive and thrive in the environments that they live in. If a design is perfect (or at least close to it), then as the saying goes, don’t fix something that isn’t broke.

To finish off, let me just say that I do not believe a zombie apocalypse is what will bring an end to mankind. There are so many other things going on in the world that are way more likely to destroy us all. It is not exactly high-ranking in its likeliness to happen. But of all the theories I have seen, this theory is the only probable one that could occur should a zombie apocalypse ever occur.

When you have hit rock bottom, always remember, that the only way to go now is up, because from now on, things can only get better.

I ❤ it 😱 I want it!!!!

My Dad the Philosopher: Friendship

the best philosopher i know is my Dad. he always has the best advice.  sometimes, personalities clash, even when it comes to ur friends. i recently lost a friend; my best friend of 5 years we did everything together. we even called ourselves sisters and wrote several books together. but personalities clashed. i went to my Dad for advice and this is what he told me: "When the chips are down and you have no one to turn to, your friends are the ones you turn to. However, you have to remember that friends come in and out of your life. Some stay till the day you die, others don't. Even though you may like the same things and do the same things, you are not the same person. Sometimes, it is best if you let them go. Sometimes they come back, sometimes they don't. Never be afraid to make new friends."

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

writinguse ur creativity to make a poem/song/story/letter or just writing down what is putting u in a bad mood and make it into something passionate and beautifulit always seems easier to write express emotion when u r in a bad mood or when u r sadput pen to paper sometimes i like to burn the paper that i have wrote on, kinda like burning it to rid myself of that bad mood