Zombie Science: What are Zombies scared of?

According to legend and  most zombie fiction, zombies aren't scared of anything.  Zombies don't have any conscience and they just follow some primal drive to feed.  However, in an era where voodoo zombies have been replaced by diseased zombies, anything can happen.

Image by Mikael Häggström, M.D. - Author info - Reusing images Written informed consent was obtained from the individual, including online publication. / CC0

As a writer, I've been fascinated by what--if anything--goes on in the brains of zombies.  There's electricity crossing synapses and there's primitive movement?  What else is there?  Are there thoughts and are there memories?  If there is any consciousness at all, zombies might fear everything they are driven to do as zombies.  Can you imagine being conscious that you are about to kill and eat someone and not having any control over it?  Can you imagine knowing that you are dead? 

The quest for scientific knowledge about zombies is what fueled my short story, "Zombie Cage."  In this story, a team of scientists and security personnel land directly in the center of a zombie horde with a mission to gather everything they can about zombies.  You'll be shocked and amazed at what they learn. 

Zombie Haiku - Alive Inside

Dead but yet walking
A faint flicker in my eyes
still alive inside?

A Zombie Fan Adds Levity to the Corona Crisis

Worried about the Corona Virus?

There is a lot of despair out in the land today.  Getting groceries and basic supplies into the house is a major chore.  Some folks have been without essential paper products for a long time.  It seems like everyone has the Corona Virus blues.  But, there is something that you should know.

You are here because your ancestors survived events like--

• Communism
• Escaping from Vietnam
• The Vietnam War
• The Korean War
• The Cold War
• World War 2
• Jim Crow Era
• The Dust Bowl
• The Great Depression
• The Spanish Flu
• World War 1
• The Spanish-America War
• European Imperialism
• Labor Riots
• The Irish Potato Famine
• The Indian Wars
• The Reconstruction
• The American Civil War
• Slavery
• The War of 1812
• The Napoleonic Wars
• The American Revolution
• The Jamestown Massacre
• Conquistadors
• The Spanish Inquisition
• The Bubonic Plague
• The Dark Ages
• Vikings
• Atilla the Hun
• Xerxes
• Alexander the Great

And, that's just the stuff I can think of from my white, European ancestor, middle class, perspective.  Other countries and continents have had their own struggles, their own battles, and their own calamities that are no less important.  But, the point is that humanity is a hardy species.  Everyone who came before you survived long enough to put you on this planet.  Most of your ancestors managed without toilet paper and many couldn't get a grocery delivery window.  Keep calm.  Keep a positive mental attitude.  Make smart decisions.  Stay socially isolated.  But, most importantly know this -

We've got this!  You've got this!

Shaving and the Beard of the Apocalypse

As a writer, I am learning all the time.  This Covid-19 corona virus shelter in place order is giving us all a glimpse of life in an emergency and what the beginning stages of a zombie apocalypse might look like.  This morning I took stock of my "quarantine beard" and decided that it must go.  My wife has been bugging me about it for days.  But, when I look into my bathroom drawer of shaving supplies, I find that I am down to just one extra blade for my best beard busting razor--my venerable Gillette Mach 3 Turbo.  Now, I truly understand Rick's beard on The Walking Dead.

Rick from The Walking Dead (sporting a Zombie Apocalypse Beard) 

The struggle is real.  But, we will carry on.  Even during this corona virus pandemic panic, we will find ways to shave.  Civilization will be preserved and rebuilt.

Zombie Flash Fiction: Forever Walking

Sleepless.  Tired.  Wired.  Hungry. Parched.  We pressed onward. Just climb the ridge. Just follow the road.  Walking west forever. My shoes were almost worn out.  I hadn’t showered.  I didn’t care.  I didn’t even want to remember eating.  My thoughts were a jumble of memories of the world that used to be.  The news reports of the spreading virus were a fading blur.  Ahead was the army. Soldiers.  Relief.  Shock!  Why shoot at us?

Photo by Rodrigo Fernández / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Old Survival Wisdom in times of Covid 19

In these trying times of COVID-19, it may be helpful to draw some wisdom from the old U.S. Army Survival, Evasion, and Escape Manual (FM 21-76). While this manual was meant to help soldiers and airmen trapped behind enemy lines, some wisdom is always helpful.

S – Size up the Situation (Assess your Finances, Food, Supplies, Opportunities. Do you need to cut back? Do you need to make a list of items to procure? What can you do without? Do you need to get a temporary job fetching groceries to keep a roof over your head?)

U – Undue Haste Makes Waste and Use Your Senses (Don't waste scarce resources like paper towels Don't by 60 rolls of toilet paper.)

R – Remember Where You Are (If you live in a free western Democracy with modern medicine, you are blessed. For most of us, society will still function and we will persevere.)

V – Vanquish Fear and Panic (Worry doesn't help. Cut back on the news. You're probably not an epidemiologist or a politician. You just need to know actions you can take. Find out if you need to stay inside, wash your hands, and wear a mask outside. Worry and stress can debilitate you and make you useless to your family when they need you.)

I – Improvise (Make you own masks, TP alternatives, etc. Lots of smart people are finding ways to protect themselves and their families.)

V – Value Life (These times will pass. Don't act like there is no tomorrow. There is a tomorrow and you need to do your best to be in it. Every life is precious including your life and the lives of your neighbors and countrymen. Don't get the virus. Don't spread the virus.)

A – Act like the Natives (This is really about blending in and making use of the resources locals have at hand when you are behind enemy lines. If the natives include Florida Man or other dumb ass party people, don't act like them. Keep your social distance and be smart.)

L – Learn Basic Skills or Live by Your Wits (What is this stove for anyway? Do I really need to join 150 stress out people in a Warehouse Store? When this is done, you'll likely know how to cook and you'll know how to stretch a dollar. Use your brain. Stay in the fight.)

Just stay calm.  Think.  Make moves that are rational and planned.  You can do this!

Zombie Limerick: The Hazards of Working from Home

There once was a guy who worked from home,
because his employer warned that zombies might roam.
He showed up on Skype
Declared it was hype
Until one little zombie bite changed his chromosome.

Graphic by Thomas Splettstoesser / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)