Real Science Applied to Avoiding Zombies

[Umbran]

Physicist Davide Cassi at the Università di Parma in Italy looked at how long an entity hiding in a complex structure could survive if being pursued by predatory random walkers.

The Best Approach for Avoiding Zombies | LiveScience

 

[jonesy]

Cassi found that the likelihood of survival when threatened by predatory random walkers is closely related to how complex the prey’s hideout is. The more twists and turns, the safer you'll be. In structures that are highly complex and irregular, the chances of the predator coming into contact with its target shrinks down to almost zero.

So in other words, any government office building wins against zombies?

 

[El Mahdi]

Just Great!

Science can research how I can avoid being eaten by (non-existent) Zombies, but can't figure out how to stop global warming or swine flu?

Sheeesh!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I can see it now...

Protagonist: "Ha ha! I just confused the bejesus out of all those zombies by running through this labyrinthine building! And its so cool here at the center with all these monitors... Those undead bastards will never catch me here in LeMarchand Towers!"

<rumblerumblegriiiiindBOOOOOMrumblerumble>

Pinhead: "Ahhhhh...a new puzzle-solver! Such sights I have to show you, such delicious pains to share! WELCOME TO HELL!"

Protagonist: <poopsinpants>

 

[Umbran]

Science can research how I can avoid being eaten by (non-existent) Zombies, but can't figure out how to stop global warming or swine flu?

Um, but science has already produced a vaccine for the current H1N1 variant of note. Contrary to the media coverage, it isn't really "swine flu", and the CDC has asked people to stop calling it that.

As for global warming - actually, science has solutions for that, too. However, we have issues in implementing them. And beyond that, I think we get into politics.

 

[El Mahdi]

Um, but science has already produced a vaccine for the current H1N1 variant of note. Contrary to the media coverage, it isn't really "swine flu", and the CDC has asked people to stop calling it that.

As for global warming - actually, science has solutions for that, too. However, we have issues in implementing them. And beyond that, I think we get into politics.

Um, it was just a joke (thus the ).

I do know all of the above. I also understand they were not actually researching how to avoid Zombies, they were researching a mathematical model for application in many different scientific fields. I was simply poking fun at the idea that real scientists would have spent time and resources researching how to avoid Zombies.

However, I do strongly believe their research was flawed in that it was overly simplistic and ignored too many possible variables (as Dannyalcatraz's scenario so aptly pointed out).


*(Oh, and the CDC isn't the boss of me! ... Hey, what are all of those guys in chem suits doing outside my house. ... You can't put that tent over my house. ... No! ... Go Away! ... Stop! ... Heeeeeelllllllpppppp...)

 

[Umbran]

Um, it was just a joke (thus the ).

Sorry, I have a knee-jerk reaction to correcting science fallacy. There is so much misinformation out there that I really don't like to see one stand, even if it was only in jest. Because someone will take it like truth.

However, I do strongly believe their research was flawed in that it was overly simplistic and ignored too many possible variables (as Dannyalcatraz's scenario so aptly pointed out).

Yeah, well Pinhead isn't a zombie. Sure, it is clear the problem won't be fully solved until they have a Unified Horror Survival Theory. But you can't expect it to jump fully formed from the forehead of Zeus (since Zeus isn't in the genre). It will be developed piecemeal first.

 

[El Mahdi]

Sorry, I have a knee-jerk reaction to correcting science fallacy. There is so much misinformation out there that I really don't like to see one stand, even if it was only in jest. Because someone will take it like truth.

Yeah, I understand. Those were just off the top of my head as I was posting. Maybe I should have said they could have better used their resources for important research - like developing a playoff system for college football or curing male baldness - instead.

Yeah, well Pinhead isn't a zombie. Sure, it is clear the problem won't be fully solved until they have a Unified Horror Survival Theory. But you can't expect it to jump fully formed from the forehead of Zeus (since Zeus isn't in the genre). It will be developed piecemeal first.

I've heard the biggest stumbling block in the research seems to be with preventing the almost inevitable insanity. It seems that insanity happens in these situations in a random manner that looks, statistically, exactly like rolling dice! Scientists seem unsure about how to address this. Some think there may be an outside agency at work.

It would definitely be nice though if the General Relatively Scary group would work together with the Quantifiably Spooky camp to finish developing the Unified Horror Survival Theory. The world is desperately waiting.

 

[Orius]

Cassi found that the likelihood of survival when threatened by predatory random walkers is closely related to how complex the prey’s hideout is. The more twists and turns, the safer you'll be. In structures that are highly complex and irregular, the chances of the predator coming into contact with its target shrinks down to almost zero.

So in other words, any government office building wins against zombies?

His research is flawed. I seriously doubt a complex and irregular structure would afford much protection against a minotaur.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Sorry, I have a knee-jerk reaction to correcting science fallacy. There is so much misinformation out there that I really don't like to see one stand, even if it was only in jest. Because someone will take it like truth.

Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh...you said fallacy!

Yeah, well Pinhead isn't a zombie. Sure, it is clear the problem won't be fully solved until they have a Unified Horror Survival Theory. But you can't expect it to jump fully formed from the forehead of Zeus (since Zeus isn't in the genre). It will be developed piecemeal first.

A Unified Horror Survival Theory needs a better and more appropriate name...so it will have a better acronym.

Like...O.H.M.Y.L.O.R.D.: Occult Horror Multi-Year Lifesaving: Organized Rescue Diagnostics

I seriously doubt a complex and irregular structure would afford much protection against a minotaur.

Ah...but Minotaurs aren't "predatory random walkers."