fandomhigh | Sociology Classes Nov. 9th

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sociology

Sociology Classes Nov. 9th

Death and Dying
"Hello, everyone. Please leave your coats and sweaters on, and leave your books and bags at your desks. If you would follow me outside, I have an experiment I would like you to observe."

Grissom steps outside, where he stands behind a large, dead pig wrapped in a blanket, with a fire extinguisher at his feet.

"I hope you read your materials on spontaneous combustion. Now, I am sure some of you still had your doubts, still believed there was a possibility of an unexplained phenomena at work."

Grissom then torches the pig, demonstrating the wick effect, as the pig burns body fat slowly and feeds the fire.

"Now, I have mainpulated the variables here a little for the purposes of a quick demonstration, but here is my question for you. Does this change how you feel about mysterious and unexplained deaths? Do you believe some cases will be later explained by science, or are there "paranormal" elements that can contribute to unusual deaths?"

"Also, before you leave, your homework for next week is to find an example of a death that you believe can not be explained by modern scientific analysis."

Sociology of Deviance
"Welcome, class. Before we begin, I'd like to mention to Bel that this week's Tentacle comes with ads for hentai, which we discussed earlier in regards to your project. You might want to take a look for research purposes."

"That being said, please have a seat and take your exam. You have an hour to complete it, then turn it in [and tell me your grade].

"For the rest of class, we are going next door to the A/V Lab. I have set up several stations with various video games for you to play. Spend time playing at least one game and observing the others as your classmates play them. Then discuss one thing that you believe could be perceived as deviant in one of the games, and why."

The set-up is of an Atari, a Nintendo NES, a Sega Genesis, Playstation 1 and 2, an X Box, and a computer station. There are many games to choose from. ~~May I suggest Base Wars zomg~~.

"For homework, please read The Killing Game by Gary Webb.

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Please stand downwind from the burning pig.

Sawyer covers his nose and mouth as the pig is set on fire, the smell is..below wonderful.

"Oh, right, I did bring surgical masks if anyone wanted one. Just think of it as a luau?"

He slips one over his face and then crosses his arms over his chest, "Is this the same as Spontaneous Human Combustion?" he asks curiously, he'd seen something like this on TV.

"Yes, in fact, these pigs mimic human bodies quite well for any number of experiments, including decomposition," Grissom replies in a chipper tone.

"Riight.." he makes a face a piece of fat slides off the pig and hits the ground below it. Yuck.

*doesn't know what to say*

*slightly shocked by burning pig*

"Harry, do you need to go back inside?" He looks confused as to how someone couldn't be intrigued by the experiment. "Are you a vegetarian?" he asks, because that's the only thing that jumps to mind.

"Oh eh, no, thank you, i'll be allright. It's just...i don't see pigs getting burned everyday, see." Harry says, still a bit pale but smiling at dr. Grissom.

"That's...disgustingly facisnatin', Grissom," Rogue says, her scarf over her mouth. "How does that happen?"

Grissom looks pleased Rogue has taken an interest. "It is quite like how a candle burns, as a matter of fact. If I hadn't juiced up the experiment a little, we could stand outside and watch the pig burn for hours without even truly noticing the burning. Human bones can withstand 1000C degrees, but this process can destroy them within hours. This pig acts as a stand-in because their body fat content is so close to our own. In fact, did you know there is a lot of research going on now into pig's organs being transplanted into humans? Pig brain cells implanted into a human suffering from Parkinson's has helped relieve the movements associated with the disease in trials in Massachusetts."

"A candle, huh?" She watches, fascinated. She's always been intrigued by fire. "How does it destroy the bones? Does it get that hot?"

"It's due to the controlled nature of the burn," Grissom explains. "You'll notice that there are no flames spreading outside of the pig, and that even the ground only a few feet away appears undisturbed."

"So, it's not the heat, exactly, but the concentration? And this happens to humans?" She pauses. "It's not really spontaneous combustion, thought, right? I mean, there has to be some sort of spark."

Rogue coughs into her scarf. "It really does smell awful."

Re: Nov 9 : Death and Dying

drgrissom.livejournal.com - 2005-11-09 21:38 (UTC) - Expand

Marty watches the pig burning with a somewhat morbid interest.

"I guess there's always going to be a scientific explanation for almost any kind of death. My question to you though would be how does science explain the existence of Zombie Weekend?"

"I..."

Is Grissom turning a little pink?

"I didn't have any experience with the zombies firsthand, so I am unable to offer any explanations that would hold any weight... Basically, I didn't ventilate properly during an experiment that weekend, so I was pretty high, and Ms. Sidle kind of had to protect me. But if you have any samples or some firsthand experiences to share, I could always come up with a hypothesis or two."

"Um... Dead bodies walking. Looking for human brains to eat. Pretty smelly. Won't stop coming at you unless you burn them to ashes or shoot them in the head."

Marty's looking at the lack of pig remains and has a strange hankering for pulled pork.

[OOC:Hope you don't mind. I love watching how your Grissom's mind works on a thing like this]

"Well, I've never seen a documented case of a successful reanimation. However, I haven't done much research into cryogenics as I would like. Although it seems like a ludicrous exercise with the Splendid Splinter's head in a jar, it does have some basis in scientific fact, and it isn't outside the realm of possibility that if the body could be kept in perfect, intact condition after death, there may be a way to bring that person back to life through a series of what I would assume to be thawing processes and some sort of electrical re-start, not unlike defibrillation.

So, in theory, if someone somewhere has gone ahead of the mainstream in that particular field, and managed to bring someone back from that type of state, they could be perceived as undead. The smell could be attributed to the long period of stasis as well.

As for eating brains, although Americans perceive brains to be taboo when it comes to fulfilling their nutritional needs, other cultures have no such issues with consuming them. You can fry them up and they won't taste that much different than some meats. In fact, if you eat meat you consume some bits of brains every year, as a natural part of the slaughterhouse mechanism and food distribution and packaging. The cannibalism is more difficult to explain, but perhaps during the re-animation process the moral center of the bran developed during socialization is somehow corrupted, either due to lack of thawing because of the brain and protection of other grey matter, or the blood/brain barrier blocking potential chemicals from infiltrating the tissue. This area could also die during the process, and brain cells do not regenerate. Perhaps studying zombie remains could teach us a bit about the nature of the human mind, in this case.

Another possibility is that maybe the eating of brains are more of a cause of the condition, rather than an effect. Brains contain gland tissues with hormones and other secretions. Perhaps these manipulate the zombies upon the initial consumption of the brain, and are responsible for some of their condition. BSE is spread through the consumption of these body tissues, so perhaps zombie-ism is more of an illness, or a fever if you will.

That being said, the super-human strength could be a result of that process. Maybe the adrenal glands are sent into overdrive, causing a rush of temporary "superpowers". It has been documented that people in situations of extreme stress can sometimes perform acts that their physiology shouldn't allow. A mother picking up an automobile to save a baby, for example. Psychotics some times show a lack of care of their psychical well-being which allows them to continue on for moments after receiving injury. Any of these situations, or a combination, are possible I suppose.

Genetic mutation, or outright manipulation, could also be to blame, or a yet undiscovered genetic anomaly that presents only in certain conditions, that makes one appear to be dead and then wakes the body out of that state, damaged due to sustained inactivity. A toxin is a possibility, but highly unlikely. As is the possibility of a yet to be discovered species."

Grissom rubs the bridge of his nose, and then looks at Marty. "I'd really need a sample to give you any concrete idea of what occurred that weekend."

Re: Nov 9 : Death and Dying

oatmanspatient.livejournal.com - 2005-11-09 22:29 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Nov 9 : Death and Dying

drgrissom.livejournal.com - 2005-11-09 22:50 (UTC) - Expand

Callisto watches the demonstration with an impassive expression, although an acute observer might notice her hands are clenched hard enough that blood is oozing though her knuckles.

Grissom doesn't pick up on her hands at first, but notices Callisto is not speaking, which is quite unusual for her in this class.

"Callisto, how are you today?"

"Huh?" Callisto seems distracted as she answers "Uh, okay, I guess."

Disturbed by her lack of focus, he turns to her and lowers his voice. "Would you like to be excused for a moment? The smell... can bother some people. Take the bathroom pass from my desk," he offers up weakly, hoping she'll take him up on that cheap excuse if she needs to get some air.

Re: Nov 9 : Death and Dying

psycho-barbie.livejournal.com - 2005-11-10 01:09 (UTC) - Expand

Allie leaves her books on her desk, but makes sure to carry her egg baby outside so she isn't accused of neglect. She wishes her brain would stop telling her to name the stupid thing Lola. She's still hurt by what happened last night.

"That was... really gross," she says after the experiment.

"True," Grissom admits. "Although, if you plan on going to med school, you'll see a few human beings in a similar state, I'm afraid."

*Stark watches the pig burn. It was interesting, even if it did smell awful.*

I think there have to be other explanations for some deaths. Not everything is scientific, not everything can be easily explained.

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