Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse: Just Do the Math

LiveScience.com ^ | July 30, 2013 | Michael Dhar

[a fool in paradise]

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.

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".

[a fool in paradise]

The CDC also thinks any incidents involving guns are a “disease”.

[MrB]

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.

[a fool in paradise]

Maybe the next Captain America film should be a reboot of the cycle and adapt the story where Hitler creates a zombie army:

[Mad Dawgg]

"In the original movie the zombies were slow-witted and none too agile. In some movies you could outrun them easily in the daytime and sleep safely in trees at night."

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.

[a fool in paradise]

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.)

What were the odds of a big bang happening from nothingness?

[Pan_Yan]

What were the odds of a big bang happening from nothingness?

Zero. Not effectively zero; not almost zero; completely zero.

[RandallFlagg]

Thanks to DogByte6RER for the ping. Sorry so late.

[RandallFlagg]

Sorry. I meant dynachrome.

I just got home from work. A little beat up right now.

[CatherineofAragon]

THAT is perfect!

[DogByte6RER]

Heh ... how's this for "odds of survival?" : )

[Jack Hydrazine]

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.