A report recently published in The Proceedings of the Royal Society "Biology" by a researcher suggest that a parasite spread by cats to about half of the earth's population, called toxoplasma gondii, may be responsible for changes in personality.
It is claimed that women become more outgoing and warm, men less intelligent and boring, and both sexes less secure about themselves. Children may experience hyperactivity and lower IQs. Previous research on the parasite made similar discoveries.
Rats infected with the parasite tended to hang out more around cats. Many parasites apparently use the tactic in order to attract a new host, who will eventually spread their eggs through droppings.
I've seen this parasite study before - but only on mice. Fish affected by it swam near the surface. Mice stroll past cats, inches away from the whiskers.
I never though it could affect humans though. There is an old movie called Shivers I think(which was remade a slither and reinterpreted).
But the original movie had these parasites that caused people to become uninhibited, and often sexually depraved. The act of sexual assault would cause the transmission of this t*rd looking worm parasite to slip into one of the victim's mouth or other orifice. Yuck.
The whole point was that it was a sci-fi about a parasite subverting humans with a dangerous behaviour and other depravities.
Life stranger than fiction, eh?
[original movie was commentary of spread of communism as dangerous ideology, but that's another story]
i knew cat people were a bit off, and that it wasn't just my imagination. there'll be a huge flood of cat lovers attacking this story, but don't listen to them. afterall, their minds are under the control of their feline overlords. we must set our brothers and sisters free. burn all the cats!
These outgoing and warm women.. and where can I get some of these parsites? >Not worried about the effects on me, Near genius level IQ and Geek.. so instead of smart and boring.. I'll be just Average and boring.<
1. the fact that most of my female friends who own cats all their lives fit these specs perfectly!(i like cats but i am more of a dog person, oh hell, i like all animals as long as they have between 2 and 4 legs!) 2. Theres a cat that comes into our office every now and then... although others in the office give it alot of attention or the same level i do (just a stroke or 2) it only comes to my desk which is not in the ground floor and sits on my lap or jumps on the desk and sits ontop of my laptop... it just came in while i was reading this and is currently sitting on my lap and ignoring all the other staff! i guess i am being targetted here!! =S
Really? just like men! But i like cats... i just prefare dogs (not that i have either at the moment!) hmmm, what about others who dislike cats in the office... i took it out and it is back again (currently sitting on my feet and it is ticklish!) guess i will surrender and just inhale what it's trying to give me!
Why does a cat go to the visitor who doesn't like cats? When one cat is threatening another, it stares boldly, sometimes hisses, and frequently moves in toward the other cat. Usually, the person who doesn't like cats avoids looking at it, doesn't talk to it, and sits quietly, hoping to be ignored by the cat. The cat, therefore, sees the person's behavior as "cat-friendly" and practically inviting.
i just did... wow interesting! ok, i'll let it get off my lap (yes, it's still here - i know... i am VERY patient) and i will stare, move closer and hiss at it! =D thanks for the tip! ;)
Why does it make men dumber and boring and not Women? I'll read the source to see if it's in there...
Anyway, cats also bring your stress down when you're around them - especially when they sit on your knee.
Come to think of it my cat that died recently did catch a hell of a lot of mice and birds...at least one a day...but the one that's still alive doesn't catch anything (despite being the size of a tiger cub).
Oh well, I'm sure it will die in me eventually if I'm infected. I drink a lot.
Yes my precious, you may have my steak I will eat the greens.. sure kitty take my bed.. but of course you can sleep on and fur-up my clean clothes, I don't mind... Oh I had to stop after work to get kitty some catnip.. hes gotta have it! oh shit.. HELP!
Ya...i just googled the toxoplasma gondii parasite and found out that they cause higher levels of dopamine, meaning that u become more calm, happy, less scared, and dumber(btw cocaine has the same affect as it highers ur dopamine lvls up to 150%)
I guess all the mice get high and just feel like touchin the cats whiskers seems like a fun idea? ehehe xD
Don't fear DarkAngel I have 5 black cats, oh wait... maybe I'm infested. My dopemine levels must be off the charts! I just thought I had a weakness for black cats and I find out it's all a plot of complete control! Save me!
haha! well, the staring, hissing and moving towards it didnt work.. it comes and sits on my lap whenever it feels like it! i'll just surrender, anyway, my manager hates cats so he never comes when it is around! *evil grin*
I bet the cat was out to humiliate his/her subject. After you were done hissing and staring at the cat were all your other co-workers staring blankly at you :P
