ShortHand: How Likely is a Zombie Apocalypse?

This episode of RedHanded explores the scientific plausibility of a zombie apocalypse by examining real-world pathogens that mimic zombie-like behavior. Host Charissa dissects three major threats: rabies, the mind-controlling fungus Cordyceps, and ancient viruses trapped in melting Siberian permafrost. She explains how rabies, while aggressive and capable of causing hydrophobia and violent behavior, is poorly suited for human-to-human spread without mutation. Cordyceps, famously depicted in HBO’s The Last of Us, hijacks insects with terrifying precision—forcing ants into death grips and cicadas into frenzied mating sprees—but remains species-specific and incapable of targeting humans. The most alarming scenario involves climate change thawing permafrost, potentially releasing million-year-old viruses like the 'Pandora virus' that could reanimate and infect modern life. Though current findings show these ancient viruses only affect amoebae, the risk of future zoonotic jumps is real. The episode concludes with a mix of scientific caution and dark humor, warning against complacency while reassuring listeners that large-scale human zombie outbreaks remain highly unlikely—though not impossible. The tone balances genuine concern with playful irreverence, especially in its satirical take on post-pandemic TV tropes.