zombies redux
A few years ago I wrote something for lablit explaining infectious disease modelling in terms of zombies. A colleague now brings my attention to a splendid paper entitled “WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK!: MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF AN OUTBREAK OF ZOMBIE INFECTION”, which is available here.
May I say how delighted I am that someone is taking this important issue seriously?
UPDATE: zombies discussed on the today programme! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8206000/8206612.stm)
Ah, I was going to blog that at the work gaff. But then I decided it was all over the blogosome anyway…
Yes. Excellent piece. Take home message is a blow to the head, as quickly as possible, right?
Nice post Bill,
I feel a little rusty on the mathematical modelling side, but as I understand it, this model is structured to favour zombie-ism. From glancing at the paper it seems that a human who had died (S to R class) has the potential to become ‘re-animated’ into a zombie ( R to Z class). Fair enough you might say. But, a zombie who has been decapitated or has had it brains mashed (Z to R class) can be subsequently revived back to the undead state again ( R to Z class). I would argue that this is a little unrealistic and that the model needs a little revision. Perhaps a definitely dead (DD) state? Everyone knows that once you mash a zombies brains in they are done for. For good.
you are quite right. In fact your arguments are similar to those made by Neil on the Today programme this morning (http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8206000/8206612.stm). You may have just talked yourself into a key role when the zombie hordes descend on us.
Can I be Chief Armourer?