Are Last of Us Zombies Still Human?
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The infected in The Last of Us are still technically human, but their bodies have been taken over by the Cordyceps fungus, which alters their behavior, physical appearance, and ultimately, their humanity. The zombies in this context are not reanimated corpses, but rather, living individuals whose bodies are now controlled by the Cordyceps infection, raising complex questions about their identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human.
Understanding the Infection
The Science Behind Cordyceps
The Cordyceps fungus is a real-life parasite that infects insects, taking control of their bodies and eventually killing them. In the world of The Last of Us, this fungus has mutated to infect humans, leading to a zombie-like apocalypse.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are the zombies in The Last of Us still people? The zombies in The Last of Us are not, in fact, zombies, but rather, living individuals whose bodies have been taken over by the Cordyceps fungus.
- Is there a cure for The Last of Us zombies? Sadly, a cure for the Cordyceps brain infection is never found in The Last of Us or its sequel, leaving the infected without hope of recovery.
- Are Last of Us Infected still conscious? According to scientific studies, the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus doesn’t affect the brain, suggesting that the infected may be aware of their actions but unable to control them.
- Do The Last of Us zombies decompose? Even after an infected body dies, the Cordyceps fungus continues to grow and spread spores, making it essential for survivors to burn infected bodies to prevent further infection.
- Why can Cordyceps infect humans? In the world of The Last of Us, the Cordyceps fungus has mutated to infect humans, although in reality, humans are not a natural host for this parasite.
- Can Cordyceps evolve to infect humans? While it’s unlikely that Cordyceps will evolve to infect humans in reality, the idea of a mutated fungus sparking a zombie apocalypse is a chilling possibility.
- How does Joel not get infected? Joel’s diet may have played a role in his immunity, but the exact reasons for his resistance to the Cordyceps infection are unclear.
- Can Ellie infect others? Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection makes it unlikely that she can infect others, but the exact nature of her immunity is still not fully understood.
- Is there anyone immune in The Last of Us? Ellie is the only known immune individual in The Last of Us, and her immunity is crucial to the story and its plot twists.
- Is Ellie the only immune person? As far as the story reveals, Ellie is the only immune person, making her a unique and crucial character in the fight against the Cordyceps infection.
- Why is Ellie the only immune person? Ellie’s immunity stems from the Cordyceps fungus already present in her system, which acts as a chemical messenger and prevents further infection.
- Why did Joel prevent the cure? Joel’s actions are motivated by his desire to protect Ellie, whom he has come to regard as a daughter, and he is willing to sacrifice the possibility of a cure to ensure her safety.
- Can bloaters see you? Bloaters use echolocation to navigate and attack, but their senses are limited, making them less effective than other infected.
- What is the rarest zombie in The Last of Us? The rat king is a rare and fearsome creature in The Last of Us, composed of stalkers, clickers, and a bloater.
- Could The Last of Us ever happen? While a Cordyceps-related apocalypse is unlikely, the show raises awareness about fungal infections and the importance of understanding and preparing for pandemics.