Homework 7: Zombie Apocalypse

My topic has changed as the semester has progressed. At the bottom of this post is an appendix of the work done on my previous topics. Therefore, part 2 and part 3 are first. My new and final topic is technology in the future where the future is zombie apocalypse. This is a demanding project so I will be working with Doug Ulrich. We will present our findings together. For this homework, Doug and I brainstormed. We need to narrow down the possibilities to one exact situation if we are going to try to predict the use of technology in a given situation. Below are the results, reorganized for your viewing pleasure:

Causes of the epidemic:

Bio-warfare
Nano technology
Natural virus
It’s in the food!!!
Engineered cure
Alien contamination
The devil, 2012, basically the crazy religious people actually knew what they were talking about
Mutation in the human genome
Computer virus infects cybernetic brains

We have chosen to go with engineered cure and bio-warfare as these are the most likely causes of an epidemic that would radically change human behavior.

How the epidemic spreads:

Airborne
Physical contact (liquid)
Reproduction

We have chosen physical contact. If it is airborne we are all doomed so no technology. A zombie epidemic that spreads by reproduction alone wouldn't be that hard to control so technology and human life wouldn't change that much as a whole.

*If we have time during our presentation we will explain in depth how we came to these conclusions and others.

What are the signs? How do the infected act?:

Physically no different then a non-infected person
Humans who have lost the use of the higher brain. Totally instinctual.
24-48 hours until first flu like symptoms, 120-144 hours until “zombie”
Group mentality as normal humans have
Can learn and remember at a basic level (so can work basic locks, doors, think of a chimps ability level to use human technology and tools)
Eating habits are not different from humans other than the fact all of them eat humans.

Note: They are likely to eat humans, as humans would be easier to catch and eat then other animals. It is easier to catch humans since they are slower and ignore their instincts. They are easier to eat, as it is easier for a body to break down similar tissue.

These ideas will develop as we move forward. For now, this is what we are calling a "zombie."

UALR Campus Hotspots:
120hours after outbreak there will be “hotspots.” Places that will be highly populated with zombies.

Health Services
The resident’s hall
Greek houses

Note: Infection is not cross species

Why would the infection be allowed to spread?

Incubation period & mild initial symptoms
General human unwillingness to kill other “humans”. Instead opting to capture and try to treat, which would lead to increased spread.
Slow initial response due to general un-preparedness.
Unwillingness to believe.
Disorganization and miscommunication.

List of things we need to research:

Average incubation period for viruses & symptom chronology.
How the brain works. Small instinctive brain versus the “higher” brain.
How to disable the higher brain.
Technologies to be developed in case.
Immune system versus virus to re-humanize.
Virus disguised as regular body chemical so immune doesn’t attack it.
Plan in case of “zombie” attack.

Link to Zombie Survival Guide:
http://fliiby.com/file/12221/zrm7b0ir5i.html

Appendix:

TRIZ on operating systems and computers in general:
Topic: Will Mac take control of the software market from Microsoft?

1. "Taking out": remove the annoying user overprotection in Vista and put it only on computers designed for children.
2. "Merging": add the useful run functions from XP back to Vista
3. "Anti-weight": Make an OS “environment” smart. Make the computer waterproof with a floatation device that deploys if the hardware tells the OS water is detected. Could be extra useful for the military.
4. "Beforehand cushioning": design the OS to automatically back itself up at night
5. "Equipotentiality": Put airbags in the bottom of computers to soften falls and drops.
6. "Another dimension": add a storage compartment on the top of laptops to hold a notepad and pencil because sometimes its just easier to write a quick note by hand. Then, with your textbooks on your laptop, you wouldn't need to care a backpack.
7. "Mechanical vibration": Have your computer vibrate when it’s on silence. Programs that usually use sound to get the attention of the user can use vibration in the keyboard.
8. "Continuity of useful action": OS that automatically evaluates the condition of the computer and runs maintenance at night
9. "Feedback": OS that asks the user if they like a behavior and learns from the feedback.
10. "Mechanics substitution": projected screen and keyboard, which would allow the computer to be much smaller.

Prediction Market:
Topic: We did not relate prediction markets to our topics

Delphi Method:
Topic : Will Mac take control of the software market from Microsoft?
My results were no = 7 yes = 2 so the median is no.

Of the two classmates who have setup their accounts so I can link to their blogs…neither posted links on my old topic.