Why Do Humans Turn into Walkers?
The Walking Dead, a popular television series, has captivated audiences with its unique concept of a zombie apocalypse. The show’s depiction of humans turning into walkers, also known as zombies, has sparked curiosity among fans worldwide. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this transformation, exploring the science, myth, and fiction behind it.
The Science of Zombification
The Walking Dead’s creator, Robert Kirkman, has stated that the walkers’ behavior is inspired by the way diseases spread. According to the show’s backstory, a virus or an infection is responsible for turning humans into walkers. When a person dies, the virus continues to spread through their body, causing significant changes that ultimately lead to the creation of a walker.
The Myth of Immortality
In The Walking Dead, walkers do not die. They do not age, and their bodies remain intact, despite the decomposition process. This myth has sparked debate among fans, with some speculating that walkers may be immune to certain diseases or that their bodies have adapted to the zombie virus. Others believe that the walkers’ immortality is simply a narrative device to create tension and suspense.
The Fictional Explanation
The Walking Dead’s fictional explanation for zombification lies in the virus’s ability to rewrite the human DNA, causing the transformation of a deceased person into a walker. This process is triggered when the virus spreads through the body, replacing the individual’s cells and reanimating the deceased. The virus’s mechanism is still unknown, leaving fans to speculate about its origins and purpose.
The Consequences of Zombification
When a human dies, their body undergoes significant changes as the virus takes hold. The deceased person’s skin becomes decaying, their eyes turn milky white, and their movements become stiff and jerky. The walker’s brain also undergoes significant changes, affecting their cognitive abilities and behavior. Walkers are no longer capable of thought, emotions, or reasoning, instead driven solely by their instincts to feed and reproduce.
The Herd Mentality
Walkers often travel in groups, driven by their collective instinct to find food and shelter. This herd mentality is fueled by the walkers’ reliance on their senses, particularly their sense of smell, to detect and track prey. The noise and commotion created by a herd of walkers can be overwhelming, making it challenging for survivors to navigate and evade them.
Immunity to Walkers
In The Walking Dead, there have been instances of individuals developing immunity to the walker virus. These characters, known as "clears," possess a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to the virus. However, their immunity is not a guarantee, and even clears can be infected or turned into walkers under the right circumstances.
Why Do Humans Turn into Walkers?
In conclusion, humans turn into walkers due to a combination of factors, including the spread of a mysterious virus, the decomposition process, and the rewriting of human DNA. The show’s fictional explanation provides a framework for understanding the consequences of zombification, including the transformation of the deceased into walkers and the herd mentality that drives their behavior.
Key Takeaways:
• The Walking Dead’s walkers are the result of a mysterious virus that spreads through the body after death.
• The virus causes significant changes to the human body, including decomposition and reanimation.
• Walkers are driven by their instincts, relying on their senses to detect and track prey.
• Immunity to walkers is possible, but not guaranteed, and even clears can be infected or turned into walkers under the right circumstances.
By exploring the science, myth, and fiction behind zombification, we gain a deeper understanding of the world created by The Walking Dead. The show’s unique concept has captivated audiences worldwide, sparking debate and discussion about the nature of life, death, and the human condition.