It’s the year 2147: a time of enduring peace on Earth. The Last War ended half a century ago. We can cure most ills, the air is pure, and teleportation is how we get around. Sounds great, right? So why does everyone suddenly want to kill Joel Byram?
Since The Army of the Man is in the Hard Science Contest, I thought it might be time to discuss some of the hard science behind the book! Get ready y’all...it’s time to SCIENCE.
As discussed on my project page, The Army of the Man involves a shadow group using the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to their advantage. How? They use its behavior altering properties to change humans into super humans, unafraid of consequence and the perfect soldier.
At a base level, this is exactly what the parasite T.gondii does to mice. Mice infected with the parasite (by eating contaminated food/cat feces) are noted to be more active, the first ones to enter traps, and unaffected by the presence of cats and their smells. Some evidence exists that the mice may even become sexually aroused by the smell of cats! The result? A mouse that runs right up to a cat to be eaten. To the parasite, this is important because it reproduces ONLY inside feline gut.
The specific mechanism for this behavior is thought to be a dramatic increase in the infected organisms’ dopamine and hormone levels. Interestingly, similar impulsive behaviors can be found in humans who are infected by T.gondii. Humans with the infection are more likely to be involved in car accidents. Infections have been linked to schizophrenia and other mental health diseases. The length of time a human has been infected also seems to have an effect. One study found that men who had been infected for many years are less conscientious of others. Huh...
What if science could harness T.gondii? Use it to alter behavior of humans? Make them more impulsive, less afraid, and more aggressive. Access specific personality traits that might make, let’s say, a super soldier. Then, my friends, you would have the beginnings of The Army of the Man.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/common-parasite-linked-to-personality-changes/
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has pre-ordered The Army of the Man. I’m blown away by the support I’m finding here on Inkshares. If you haven’t pre-ordered already, please do so!
Holy alot of updates Batman!!
I know, I know. I’ve been updating lately like no ones business but I have some more GREAT NEWS!!! Beyond the Code has been chosen by the John Robin Epic Fantasy Syndicate!!! EPIC!!!! I want to give a HUGE heartfelt thank you to everyone in that wonderful group for believing in this project.
That has given Beyond the Code a huge level up and we are now at 193 orders!! Only 57 orders to go till Quill!!! SAY WHAT!!!! And only 7 orders till the next 50 Point Raffle!!
Quill is right around the corner ladies and gentlemen. If you love fast paced action with a dash of super powers hop on-board the Beyond the Code band wagon and pre-order today. Let’s make this happen!!
Hello there wonderful followers,
