In the book Do Zombies Dream of Undead Sheep? authors Timothy Verstynen and Bradley Voytek attempt to explain the popular culture phenomenon of the zombie in terms of neuroscience. The entire book seeks to answer the question, “are zombies conscious?” (Verstynen and Voytek 45). Since zombies are not real, it is impossible to determine the extent of their being, such as whether they are unconscious, or using brain function, but through examining the scientific explanation for how the human brain functions in regards to sleep one can understand the concept of the zombie-like state.
In chapter 2, the authors offer an explanatory background for the scientific and factual component of zombie creation. Beginning with the mythological zombie that originated from Haiti, they explain that these zombies were created by a process where the victim’s body is somewhat separated from their brain through a process they refer to as “zombification” using two chemicals, tetrodotoxin and datura (Verstynen and Voytek 29). Next, in 1917, a disease known as “lethargic encephalitis” plagued many people in Europe, causing them to be alive but appearing so still that they looked like they were dead (Verstynen and Voytek 36-37). The treatment of this disease led to the discovery of how the brain works to put people to sleep, which leads to the scientific understanding of how one’s brain shuts off on its own.
In chapter 4, the authors seek to address the question of why people fear zombies, and why people fear certain activities even though they know that zombies are not real. They explain that human feelings and human knowledge are constantly at war, trying to outpower one another for control of the brain (Verstynen and Voytek 67). In this chapter the authors divulge into the scientific explanations for how the brain works when dealing with fear, anger, hunger, and various survival instincts. This is offered as an explanation for why zombies are shown to exhibit aggression and follow the instincts to kill humans. Further scientific explanation of the human neurology shows that zombies do not possess regular neurological capabilities and are therefore proven to be unconscious.
Verstynen and Voytek’s argument is well-rounded, including historical background as well as scientific facts and information about popular culture. There is a lot of scientific terminology included with simplified explanations to appeal to readers of all backgrounds. Those who do not know much about science are still able to understand the terminology about positive and negative neurons when it is displayed as a war-like battle for the possession of a castle (Verstynen and Voytek 30). In this same sense, humor is used to convey a message to their readers that they are taking a relatively non-serious topic and offering a serious explanation for it. However, while the authors are taking something very silly and discussing it in scientific terms, they are actually teaching the reader about science and how the brain works. By using zombies as an example, they catch the attention of the reader, and then subconsciously plug in lessons about the reticular activating system of the brain and the importance of the circadian rhythm.
Works Cited
Verstynen, Timothy and Voytek, Bradley. “Chapter 2: Do Zombies Dream of Undead Sheep?”
In Do Zombies Dream of Undead Sheep?: The Neuroscientific View of the Zombie Brain.
Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2014.
Verstynen, Timothy and Voytek, Bradley. “Chapter 4: Hungry, Angry, and Stupid is No Way to
go Through Unlife.” In Do Zombies Dream of Undead Sheep?: The Neuroscientific View
of the Zombie Brain. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2014.
