Civilisation would most likely be finished in the event of a zombie outbreak, claim Canadian mathematicians who have calculated the possible devastation caused by an attack by the fictional monsters.
Using models developed to calculate the effects of more plausible pandemics, the team from the University of Ottawa have discovered that unless man struck back quickly and aggressively then they would be doomed.
The scientific paper, which is published in a book 'Infectious Diseases Modelling Research Progress', looks at an attack by the undead creatures, who infect the living with a bite.
In their study, titled 'When Zombies Attack!', the researchers picked “classic” slow-moving zombies such as those in Dawn of the Dead as models and divided humanity into three: the living, zombies and the “removed” – zombies who had been killed by decapitation.
Dendrite | September 20, 2009 - 11:34
It has been demonstrated in "Night of the Living Dead" that zombies can simply be blown away (removed/re-killed) using traditional firearms with no decapitation required. The University of Ottawa research model is incomplete in this sense.
Stefano | September 20, 2009 - 13:10
Zombies, at least the ones I've met, tend to be dry and crispy and catch fire very easily. In the event of a Zombie conflagration, close all doors and windows, sit in a bath of cold water and count yourself lucky.
Removed Zombie heads can be decorated by children for halloween. During the Zombie outbreak of 1984 an estimated eight million heads were removed and stored in an undisclosed location in Hertfordshire. Nobody can remember where.
This could be important but probably isn't.
chuck | September 20, 2009 - 13:34
I've always found 'The Winchester' to be fairly safe.
Ewan | September 20, 2009 - 13:35
I been tryin' a ring Lucy Horston, thass Zora's niece, about the Zombies but She's Not There.
Dendrite | September 20, 2009 - 17:51
If she asks if a Zombie and a Mummy are the same thing, Tell Her No.
Mangone | September 20, 2009 - 18:10
It's not really killing them that's the problem...
it's the fact the they breed so quickly; at least here in the UK.
collette | September 24, 2009 - 19:32
yeah, especially with the Zombie walk in Manchester in November!!!!
John Doak | October 19, 2009 - 18:51
In the event of zombie appocalypse I've got it all sorted. I'm going to storm the co-op, pull down the shutters and wait it out. There's a basement and only one enterance (except the fire escape, which is is a heavy door and can be bolted from the inside). I'd have loads of food, crossword puzzles and alcohol. It's fool proof. The only issue will be obtaining a key from one of the zombified shop assistants, but considering the substandard level of service I receive there on a near-daily basis, it would be my pleasure to take one of them out.
So, while you lot are out there battling the hoards, I'll be chilling out in my fair-trade safe zone.
maddan | October 20, 2009 - 16:12
If there's one thing I've learned from Zombie movies, it's that basements with only one entrance are *never* a good idea.
lenchenelf | October 20, 2009 - 19:09
One of my sweet daughters (think Tinkerbell...with knives) has loaned me a copy of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice_and_Zombies.
I have to say, I thoroughly approve of the Bennet ladies and the foresight employed in martial arts training.
brooosh | October 20, 2009 - 19:35
Is it possible the threat from zombies has been overstated a little? Just asking.
lenchenelf | October 20, 2009 - 20:04
Possibly; currently suffering an attack of Seven Week Old Kitten on Keyboard, google searches have never been so amusing :-)
John Doak | October 21, 2009 - 09:13
@brooosh: The threat from zombies can never be overstated.