Mind control is a widely used concept in science fiction. Especially when conjoined with the omni-chiche body infesting parasites, it's difficult to have a good scifi story (let alone series) without some kind of brain-sucking or body dwelling monstrosity. From popular video games such as Halo, Half-Life, and Starcraft, to movies like Alien or Star Trek, there is a plethora of beasties that will crawl inside you and do some nasty, nasty things.
Interestingly enough the strangest fiction seems to be fact.
Throughout Asia (China, Korea, Thailand, and Japan especially) there are several strains of fungi called Cordycepts that infect roughly 400 different species of insects. Cordycept fungi are roughly club-shaped mushrooms that are parasitic and actually grow inside whatever species they're intended to parasite on. Before you get the heebie-jeebies, there are many fungus caused infections in people on a regular basis and don't cause any major harm such as Ringworm and Nail Fungus. Unless you have a disease that cripples your immune system, the only real danger a human has from fungi is eating a poisonous one or an allergic reaction.
Asian insects however aren't so lucky. Fungi reproduce by making a fruiting body (such as a mushroom like you find in the grocery store) and then shed spores. When a Cordycept spore lands on it's intended host, the it grows a tiny root-like mycelium into the hosts body. As the spore continues to grow inside of the host, it follows the insects nerve cord up into it's head and actually starts to control it's mind. Once in partial control of the unfortunate creatures body, the fungus directs it to climb as high as it can and attach itself (with mandibles, pincers, or legs) to the top of a building, blade of grass, vine, or tree and then die. The fungus continues to devour the deceased host's tissue and eventually a mushroom bursts out of the victims head and sprouts upwards, releasing a cloud of spores to infect others.
Cordyceps unilateralis (featured in the video below) infect ants and can eradicate entire colonies of billions of members. The fungi can reach pandemic levels inside nests very quickly and unless the infected are removed and carried away it can mean certain doom.
Interestingly enough the strangest fiction seems to be fact.
Throughout Asia (China, Korea, Thailand, and Japan especially) there are several strains of fungi called Cordycepts that infect roughly 400 different species of insects. Cordycept fungi are roughly club-shaped mushrooms that are parasitic and actually grow inside whatever species they're intended to parasite on. Before you get the heebie-jeebies, there are many fungus caused infections in people on a regular basis and don't cause any major harm such as Ringworm and Nail Fungus. Unless you have a disease that cripples your immune system, the only real danger a human has from fungi is eating a poisonous one or an allergic reaction.
Asian insects however aren't so lucky. Fungi reproduce by making a fruiting body (such as a mushroom like you find in the grocery store) and then shed spores. When a Cordycept spore lands on it's intended host, the it grows a tiny root-like mycelium into the hosts body. As the spore continues to grow inside of the host, it follows the insects nerve cord up into it's head and actually starts to control it's mind. Once in partial control of the unfortunate creatures body, the fungus directs it to climb as high as it can and attach itself (with mandibles, pincers, or legs) to the top of a building, blade of grass, vine, or tree and then die. The fungus continues to devour the deceased host's tissue and eventually a mushroom bursts out of the victims head and sprouts upwards, releasing a cloud of spores to infect others.
Cordyceps unilateralis (featured in the video below) infect ants and can eradicate entire colonies of billions of members. The fungi can reach pandemic levels inside nests very quickly and unless the infected are removed and carried away it can mean certain doom.
When one analyzes the main concepts of parasites it becomes increasingly clear as to why the idea of foreign things inside our bodies is so terrifying and captivating. Just as having an incurable disease is so debilitating, many science fiction parasites are incurable or work swiftly enough that there isn't time to cure them. It is a basic primordial weakness of ours to have foreign things inside us, that we cannot do much (if anything) to stop them. If you get a splinter in your hand you can put a bandage on it or get tweezers and pull it out. But if you have tiny, microscopic Andromeda in you can only hope your body is somehow strong enough to fight it off.
Yet another trump card of internal parasites is the recurring theme of mind control. We are mental organisms and our minds our are greatest strength. Just as other animals have evolved and specialized over generations and focused on a trait that will allow them to survive, so have we and our intellect and reasoning is that trait. We lack sharp claws, wings, or hard exoskeletons to protect ourselves and we need to use (and have used) our highly advanced brains to get where we are in the world. Something that affects our minds be it a chemical, biologic, or psychological harms us by taking away our greatest advantage and tool.
Yet another trump card of internal parasites is the recurring theme of mind control. We are mental organisms and our minds our are greatest strength. Just as other animals have evolved and specialized over generations and focused on a trait that will allow them to survive, so have we and our intellect and reasoning is that trait. We lack sharp claws, wings, or hard exoskeletons to protect ourselves and we need to use (and have used) our highly advanced brains to get where we are in the world. Something that affects our minds be it a chemical, biologic, or psychological harms us by taking away our greatest advantage and tool.
Well...my brain exploded. Never have been a strong science guy, but this was very intriguing. I would love if you discussed in the future about Alpha Centauri (which interests me very much so!)
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