Sociology Classes Nov. 9th

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

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.

Comments

Re: Nov 9 : Death and Dying

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"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]

Marty just looks at Grissom dumbfounded and admires his giant brain. liek whoa

Re: Nov 9 : Death and Dying

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

The ladies seem to like it. "Marty, you okay? Sorry, I might have gotten a little carried away."