DO ZOMBIE'S MOAN? IF SO, HOW?
It’s widely accepted that Zombies can’t speak, because their limited brain function doesn’t allow for complex thoughts. However, watch almost any Zombie movie made in the past 50 years, and you’ll hear them moaning up a storm. Very scary on the big screen, but are real Zombies are able to make primitive utterances? And if so, how? A theory put forth by Gregory Pickman, Associate Researcher at ZRS, may hold the answer.
Pickman suggests that the Zombies are able to make noise for one simple reason: they breathe. Because a Zombie is technically dead, it doesn’t need to take in oxygen to continue “living”. Therefore a Zombie could hold his breath for any numbers of hours or days, allowing it to do things like walk under water, and function without lungs or a wind pipe. But Pickman argues that breathing serves two important functions for Zombie survival: 1) It substantially slows the speed of decay, by keeping the body tissues somewhat oxygenated, and 2) it allows the pre and post rigor Zombie to move a greater speeds, approximating human adulatory velocity. The moaning, then, is just a biproduct of a less-than-perfect resperatory system trying to do its job.
The bold idea has met with considerable resistance at ZRS, but I have yet to hear a solid argument debunking Pickman’s theory altogether.
What do you think?
(you can also answer at my blog: http://zombieresearch.wordpress.com/)
Pickman suggests that the Zombies are able to make noise for one simple reason: they breathe. Because a Zombie is technically dead, it doesn’t need to take in oxygen to continue “living”. Therefore a Zombie could hold his breath for any numbers of hours or days, allowing it to do things like walk under water, and function without lungs or a wind pipe. But Pickman argues that breathing serves two important functions for Zombie survival: 1) It substantially slows the speed of decay, by keeping the body tissues somewhat oxygenated, and 2) it allows the pre and post rigor Zombie to move a greater speeds, approximating human adulatory velocity. The moaning, then, is just a biproduct of a less-than-perfect resperatory system trying to do its job.
The bold idea has met with considerable resistance at ZRS, but I have yet to hear a solid argument debunking Pickman’s theory altogether.
What do you think?
(you can also answer at my blog: http://zombieresearch.wordpress.com/)
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dave Mack on -
Depending on what is controlling or compelling the zombie , the moaning may be caused by muscle constricting when the zombie senses food , maybe the constriction helps the zombie move faster or the constriction could be when the controlling thing virus,bacteria or alien spores , takes the zombie off of cruise control and starts direction it's movements, or it could simply be gas escaping from the decay inside the zombie and it lasts as long as it does because the zombie is moving and causing further damage and release of gas . the Bactria or what ever may even live off of the gas created by decay which is why the zombie fills its sell full so there is something to rot and feed the controlling agency and the controlling agency release's the gas as it digests it or converts it
-
Permalink Reply by Rylan on -
Well if it’s a virus zombie (I am Legend/28 Day Later) and not truly undead, then it’s just simply the thing trying to talk, but because its so brain damaged it comes out as unintelligible moans or since it’s still alive and breathing a by product of its respiratory process.
-
Permalink Reply by JB on -
Total debunk here. Without blood flow through the body, oxygen in the lungs has no effect. The lungs bring oxygen to the Pulmonary Arteries. Only with blood flow can the heart pump oxygenated blood from the pulmonary arteries, to the heart and throughout the entire vascular system. There's no theory to this one, you can't oxygenate a body without bloodflow.
The other idea has no merit either. unless the body is submersed in liquid, air filled lungs have no bearing on how quickly one moves.
Ideally, there is a certain theory out there called muscle memory. Breathing is one of the most common body actions, thus, even after death the intercostal muscles continue to contract and relax due to decades of constant use.
-
Permalink Reply by A. Morisson on -
Good comment, Braun. So are you saying that Zombies don't make any noise at all? Or that they breathe as a habitual response, and that causes the moaning?
Also, you are making a big assumption that there is NO blood flow in Zombies. Pickman's theory doesn't say anything about that. And there is a companion theory that Zombie's do have a slowed blood flow process to keep them from drying out and fight decay. In the same way that the brain has reduced (but working) functions, the body (including blood) may work in the same manner.
-
Permalink Reply by Steve 'Stevil' Moore on -
I agree with this theory. When the Deader moves it releases the gas (Like lifting a cheek to fart) Causing the Moan.
Some Z's make a different sound because the throat is damaged but flesh near the neck makes a whistle or purring noise when the gas escapes.
-
Permalink Reply by JB on
-
Thanks for the cudos; and yes, I am incinuating that it's habits that may cause this noise. Much like the walking and grabbing they do. I mean, it's definitely a possibility...
Your also right that I'm making a big assumption. But the Idea of blood flow in a zombie means that, if shot in the heart-thus destroying the hearts ability to pump blood-the zombie will die. Really it's more of a science stand point. If the undead can only be killed by destroying the brain, then it shouldn't be possible for it to have any other function that would allow it to be destroyed.
My next question would be, in Pickman's theory, does anything account for those who've changed due to the Campion Virus, while still alive; does anything theorize what actually happens if the tissue and organs are still actually alive...what if these organs sustain significant damage? Do they die and come back again? and for those who've been dead for more than an hour, when their blood no longer contains oxygen, how does the blood pump pure sludge? Really, right now were theorizing that the blood would continue to pump and that just the lungs and heart continue to function...What about the intestines? The urinary tract? Has anyone witnessed a zombie on a poddy break? I know, I know, But really would this post have been the same without saying that?
-
Permalink Reply by A. Morisson on
-
The biggest problem with the theory that moaning comes from gas release is that the gas is only created (and then released) due to the organs in the body liquefying. And if you look at human decomposition, the brain is one of the first organs to liquefy. So by the time the Zombie was moaning because of gas, his brains would be literally spilling out of his nose like egg nog - which would then completely debunk the theory that a zombie is ruled by his brains.
Braun - great comments again. But you made another big assumption. I never said anything about the heart beating to make the blood flow. I think that it's pretty universally accepted that a zombie is dead. And dead means no heart beat. What if the blood can pump without a heart beat?
Check out my thoughts on this in my blog:
http://zombieresearch.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/kurt-russell-the-key...
If that link doesn't work just go to:
www.zombieresearch.wordpress.com
And look for the post about Kurt Russell
or click on the blood flow tag.
Love to hear what you think.
-
Permalink Reply by JB on
-
Without the assistance of something pushing the blood through the circulatory system, blood will not pump. This is why I assume that their heart still beats in the theory your claiming. Scientifically, it isn't possible. Actually becoming a zombie is more possible than your blood continuously flowing through your body without the assistance of a pump. Really, except for the hot humid areas, bodies will not decompose as quickly as one would think.
I also agree with the fact that the possibility that the brain really is controling the body is outrageous, unless they are recently deceased. The brain IS the first thing to go, it's fatty tissue. Therefore, anything that had really started decomposing, will loose its brain first, and they couldn't come back to life.
So it can now be determined that you can just plain outlive a zombie, because once their brain rots out, they are dead. Anyone dissagree?
-
Permalink Reply by Valodrakan on -
Of course you can outlive a zombie, but that's easier said than done. There are a lot of stupid people out there who will be turned because they were too stupid to survive.
Even if you're smart, you've got to be able to keep yourself supplied with food, ammo, or whatever you're using to stay alive, without going crazy and killing yourself. The effects of a zombie apocalypse could last over a decade that way, just because someone survived the first few years and was bitten (lack of ammo/other form of protection), or drank/ate something contaminated (desperate for food), or cut themselves on a bone from a zombie (carelessness).
-
Permalink Reply by JB on
-
Your missing the point. In open air and environment, a body decomposes quickly. and the brain being fatty tissue will be the first to go. There for the zombie appocalypse will only last a few months. The brains of the zombie will wilt and wither away, while you sit snuggly in your underground bunker eating cheesy poofs and watching ren and stimpy episodes.
The brains rot away, the body dies. End of world ending crisis. Horray for the people with underground bunkers. Thank god for Cheesy poofs.
-
Permalink Reply by A. Morisson on
-
Unless their blood continues to flow - then they decay would be much slower.
Now Available!
Call Us
Call the Lost Zombies hotline, toll free, and leave us a message. We may use your message in the Lost Zombies Documentary.
877-ZOMBIE0 that's
877-966-2430
877-ZOMBIE0 that's
877-966-2430
LZ Merch
If you're looking for shirts and LZ gear you can check out our Zazzle store
© 2013 Created by Skot (Lost).
