Difference between revisions of "Zombie"
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| − | The fictional creatures known as '''Zombies''' are the reanimated [[corpse]]s of dead persons. | + | The fictional creatures known as '''Zombies''' are the reanimated [[death|corpse]]s of dead persons. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The phrase originates with the [[Voodoo]] religion of the [[Caribbean]], where it is alleged, due to the historically high mortalities among living [[slavery|slave]] | + | The phrase originates with the [[Voodoo]] religion of the [[Caribbean]], where it is alleged, due to the historically high mortalities among living [[slavery|slave]] laborers, zombies were procured to work on plantations. In fact these zombies may actually have been living [[abduction|abductees]]; an extract of toxins from the [[puffer fish]] is believed to have been used in their preparation, rendering them tractable, speechless and impervious to sensations such as pain and fatigue. |
==In Popular Culture== | ==In Popular Culture== | ||
| − | Zombies commonly feature in a popular sub-genre of [[horror film]]s, such as ''[[Night of the Living Dead]]''. Cinematic zombies are frequently portrayed as mindless, lurching, animated cadavers animated only by an unquenchable lust for blood and human [[brain]]s, and can typically be put down permanently only by means of [[decapitation]] or a [[gun]]shot to the head. | + | Zombies commonly feature in a popular sub-genre of [[horror film]]s, such as ''[[Night of the Living Dead]]''. Cinematic zombies fall into two main categories: fast and slow. Slow zombies are frequently portrayed as mindless, lurching, animated cadavers animated only by an unquenchable lust for blood and human [[brain]]s, and can typically be put down permanently only by means of [[decapitation]] or a [[gun]]shot to the head. Fast zombies, such as in 28 Days Later, are usually portrayed as infected with a mind rotting diseases, such as rabies or mad cow, rather than reanimated corpses. Some variations stick to the destruction of the brain rule while others act more like normal humans in the way they respond to injuries. Moreover, both are usually able to spread their condition by a mere bite, causing anyone so injured to turn into a zombie in a matter of hours. Sometimes, blood or other bodily fluids can spread the infection. |
Zombies are also common antagonists in [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]]s, often being reanimated by [[necromancy|necromantic]] [[magic]]ians, where they are also usually classified as [[undead]] beings, and thus certain people, such as clerics, are able to utterly annihilate them with pure faith alone. | Zombies are also common antagonists in [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]]s, often being reanimated by [[necromancy|necromantic]] [[magic]]ians, where they are also usually classified as [[undead]] beings, and thus certain people, such as clerics, are able to utterly annihilate them with pure faith alone. | ||
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=== Famous videogames involving Zombies === | === Famous videogames involving Zombies === | ||
| − | *Resident Evil series (various platforms) | + | *Resident Evil series (various platforms) |
| − | *Dead Rising (Xbox360) | + | *Dead Rising (Xbox360) |
| − | *House of the Dead (Arcade) | + | *House of the Dead (Arcade) |
| + | *'Nazi Zombies' game mode in Call of Duty 5 and Black Ops (various platforms) | ||
| + | *Left 4 Dead series (various platforms) | ||
=== Famous books involving Zombies === | === Famous books involving Zombies === | ||
*[[World War Z]] | *[[World War Z]] | ||
*The Zombie Survival Guide | *The Zombie Survival Guide | ||
| − | |||
==Other uses== | ==Other uses== | ||
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In computer terminology, a '''Zombie''' is a computer which has been infected by malware, usually without the owner suspecting anything, and made to perform as a server for spam or other malicious content, thus isolating the original bad actor from a trace by law enforcement. A large percentage of junk email and [[phishing]] attempts are transmitted by zombie networks. | In computer terminology, a '''Zombie''' is a computer which has been infected by malware, usually without the owner suspecting anything, and made to perform as a server for spam or other malicious content, thus isolating the original bad actor from a trace by law enforcement. A large percentage of junk email and [[phishing]] attempts are transmitted by zombie networks. | ||
| − | Another use of the term is in the construction "philosophical zombie" or "p-zombie"; this essentially a | + | Another use of the term is in the construction "philosophical zombie" or "p-zombie"; this essentially a ''Gedankenexperiment'' to investigate whether it would be possible to determine, within a naturalistic framework, whether or not a being who behaved like a human being were conscious or not. |
[[Category:Mythical Beasts]] | [[Category:Mythical Beasts]] | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Category:Computers]] |
Latest revision as of 15:01, June 23, 2016
The fictional creatures known as Zombies are the reanimated corpses of dead persons.
Contents
History
The phrase originates with the Voodoo religion of the Caribbean, where it is alleged, due to the historically high mortalities among living slave laborers, zombies were procured to work on plantations. In fact these zombies may actually have been living abductees; an extract of toxins from the puffer fish is believed to have been used in their preparation, rendering them tractable, speechless and impervious to sensations such as pain and fatigue.
In Popular Culture
Zombies commonly feature in a popular sub-genre of horror films, such as Night of the Living Dead. Cinematic zombies fall into two main categories: fast and slow. Slow zombies are frequently portrayed as mindless, lurching, animated cadavers animated only by an unquenchable lust for blood and human brains, and can typically be put down permanently only by means of decapitation or a gunshot to the head. Fast zombies, such as in 28 Days Later, are usually portrayed as infected with a mind rotting diseases, such as rabies or mad cow, rather than reanimated corpses. Some variations stick to the destruction of the brain rule while others act more like normal humans in the way they respond to injuries. Moreover, both are usually able to spread their condition by a mere bite, causing anyone so injured to turn into a zombie in a matter of hours. Sometimes, blood or other bodily fluids can spread the infection.
Zombies are also common antagonists in fantasy role-playing games, often being reanimated by necromantic magicians, where they are also usually classified as undead beings, and thus certain people, such as clerics, are able to utterly annihilate them with pure faith alone.
Famous movies involving zombies
- George A. Romero's "Dead series"
- The "Evil Dead" series (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness)
- The 28 * Later series.
Famous videogames involving Zombies
- Resident Evil series (various platforms)
- Dead Rising (Xbox360)
- House of the Dead (Arcade)
- 'Nazi Zombies' game mode in Call of Duty 5 and Black Ops (various platforms)
- Left 4 Dead series (various platforms)
Famous books involving Zombies
- World War Z
- The Zombie Survival Guide
Other uses
In computer terminology, a Zombie is a computer which has been infected by malware, usually without the owner suspecting anything, and made to perform as a server for spam or other malicious content, thus isolating the original bad actor from a trace by law enforcement. A large percentage of junk email and phishing attempts are transmitted by zombie networks.
Another use of the term is in the construction "philosophical zombie" or "p-zombie"; this essentially a Gedankenexperiment to investigate whether it would be possible to determine, within a naturalistic framework, whether or not a being who behaved like a human being were conscious or not.
