Parasitic awesomeness

Published on August 10, 2006 By PJ_ In Misc

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/DyeHard/story?id=2288095&page=1

I think this article is the coolest thing I've read in a long time. Forget the sensationalist implication cats are responsible for everything we think, feel, and do. (Oh wait, that wasn't an implication. That was the damn headline. Effing reporters.) Focus on this: Cats host a 'parasite' that can infect rats (and other animals, but focus on the rats for now). When a rat is infected, its personality is changed drastically, making it more adventurous, less afraid of cats, and on the whole much easier to catch and eat. So why are they still calling it a parasite? That's a symbiont if I ever saw one. The cat plays the host, and in return the little buggers help it catch rats. By working on the rats brain chemistry or whatever they do.

You see, this is why Darwin's model doesn't work to explain all of evolution. The biological system is huge, and interactions between elements are way more complex than mating with/eating each other. We're not going to understand the whole thing any time soon, but isn't it amazing what you see when you start looking?

Comments

Dr Guy

on Aug 10, 2006

I wonder how reputable the scientist is?

Eerie!

PJ_

on Aug 10, 2006

You know what I like? He says the parasite in an infected animal is "trying to get transmitted to a cat", and that it makes men "less intelligent and probably a bit boring." And thus more likely to be attracted to the sort of woman who keeps cats? Who knows...

By the way, my book recommendation for today is Darwin's Radio, by Greg Bear.

Dr Guy

on Aug 10, 2006

And thus more likely to be attracted to the sort of woman who keeps cats? Who knows...

I must be infected. My wife had 4 when we started dating!

SSG Geezer

on Aug 10, 2006

What about the bacteria in a cat's brain that makes them act crazy and just start ripping around the house for no reason?
Find me those links so I can try and understand my cat.

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