The Biology Behind The Last of Us | WIRED

The infection from HBO's The Last of Us is actually based on a real parasitic fungus. This fungus turns insects into zombies. The creators of the game and the show were inspired by zombie carpenter ants. WIRED spoke with Dr. Charissa de Bekker to talk about the real fungus that inspired the show's infected, and how the show's zombies parallel these real-life ants.
Director: Lisandro Perez-Rey
Editor: Ron Douglas
Expert: Dr. Charissa de Bekker
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editors: Andy Morell, Paul Tael
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[@brycepoo5039]

The saddest fact is when they’re in the runner stage they still have a bit of humanity and cognitive function, and they’re essentially trapped while their body is being manipulated by the fungus, but it’s so cool how each stage is inspired by the real science behind the cordyceps, makes it feel more grounded, I hope they explore that more in the show

[@liamstanley5599]

Yeah that old neighbor dude who got bit and lost control of everything but his eyes and mouth was the epitome of body horror for me

[@brycepoo5039]

@@liamstanley5599 fr they did amazing w the first episode, in the game you can hear them sobbing in agony sometimes I wonder if we’ll see anything similar in the show

[@massojupiter3436]

Yeah, in the game you can hear them either cry or scream in pain while twitching which is always sad to hear, at least for me it is.

[@brycepoo5039]

@@massojupiter3436 in the beginning on your first encounter w infected it was a group of people more than likely friends and you can hear the woman sobbing as she’s essentially eating her friend without any control, that’s definitely a sad fate

[@AGON17]

Yeah it’s scary because their moans and screams are so human still 😮 naughty dog is up there with rockstar when it comes to detail

[@TheAfricanGrey]

The infected/zombies in TLOU are the most frightening and most creative ones I’ve seen. Might be the most deadly ones too. If I ever was met with a Clicker in real life I would definitely be dead.

[@CordeliaWagner]

Imagine being someone Abby aka GIGANTOR doesn't like.

[@bonecold4387]

You just need a shiv

[@LeanAndMean44]

What do you mean, „was met“? I don’t think that’s an actual saying.

[@aIesssandra]

Not me. I’m built different.

[@CYB3R2K]

And they're barely used on the second game lol

[@Vman_95]

That talkshow bit at start was really effective, really sets the whole apocalypse setup in only 3-4 minutes 🔥 💯

[@koulor315]

It’s cool but how he even predict the future like that? He literally says fungi will take over and actually does, so should mean it will happen in real life too lol

[@SamirRSharma]

@@koulor315 it was not a real talkshow lmao, its not possible at all

[@Vman_95]

@@koulor315 he just stated the possibility that, it can happen only if there's an increase in temperature. Which eventually happened.

[@thomasnguyen7104]

@@SamirRSharma it is possible, things are constantly mutating

[@yimpyoi9808]

@@thomasnguyen7104 possible but unlikely especially not within the foreseeable future. ant biology and human biology arent exactly similar.

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

The part with the dog and the old lady was so effective. Dogs have been known to sniff out cancer on a person so in that scene it's not some sort of sixth sense for evil that some claim dogs have, it's their incredible sense of smell and it was something he could tell was growing more pungent by the hour and a smell totally alien to him. BTW kudos to that dog and their trainer. That good boy or girl deserves a best canine actor Emmy

[@stanleybochenek1862]

Ellie

[@Dubya3030]

I agree that was excellent. Also cool how they hinted at flour being the cause. “I’m on atkins” and they happened to miss out on pancakes and cake

[@laneythelame]

he was so cute and such a good doggy!!!

[@Sm0k3turt]

This is always what I enjoyed about TLOU’s infected. Spores or not. At it’s core it’s a much more disturbing reality in nature.

[@sampson3121]

Spores, as explained in this video, are important. I will watch and most likely love the show, but I feel they didn't need to remove them because it adds to it being a real world event. There is something about seeing a person in a, dungy dank basement with spores in the air , masks and a flashlight.

[@Sm0k3turt]

@@sampson3121 I agree. But idk the body horror potential of the tendrils is a FINE replacement

[@magician1231]

I think we've seen too many greenish zombies everyone using, that's why it's not disturbing any more

[@drogadepc]

@@sampson3121 but in real life you'd get spores everywhere including your skin and clothes. That means you'd have to undergo decontamination on a regular basis.

[@richihart1938]

@@Sm0k3turt they could have added both. I actually like the tendrils but replacing them for spores is a big no no for me.

[@errhka]

I want to shout out BBCs Planet Earth series for bringing the original footage of cordyceps to all of us - without it we wouldn't have had this wonderful story and game

[@vioadid7013]

Report the spam bot

[@ncard00]

@@vioadid7013 Just did.

[@morningowl43]

Yeah, let's give a quick shout out to Christina Applegate

[@user-xh8df9oz4y]

@@morningowl43 Good reference 👍

[@andydudley1775]

@@vioadid7013 fungass removed.

[@tiger2684]

This lady was my bio professor at UCF. She was super nice, glad to see her sharing her knowledge in a cool topic in a larger platform

[@liamphibia]

Wow! Lucky you!😃

[@soullessjoe3314]

What disturbs me the most is that the last of us clickers lost their sight because the fungus grows and splits the skull and head in half blocking and killing the eyes receptors.

[@antonioarreola3097]

Most likely because eyes are sensitive and nutritionally expensive to maintain. The infected aren't seen eating so the eyes probably fall apart, and become useless.

[@KSmithwick1989]

@Antonio Arreola There's a go break-down on the Roanoke Gaming channel. The guy is a microbiologist, so it's pretty spot on.

[@RadekCrazy1]

@@antonioarreola3097 They do eat. The fungus makes them hunt and kill anything that lives and devour it to keep the host alive. Sometimes makes them kill and then slowly consume their loved ones while they still see and know this but can't fight it. Pretty messed up world

[@VloneThuggin]

@@KSmithwick1989cultured man im glad to see roanoke’s fanbase is still there!

[@MQZ17]

HBO is really going all out with the show, they even invented the fungus IRL to promote it

[@ministrodafazendareal]

Lmao 💀💀💀

[@fallen-helldiver]

Dude no way

[@omniframe8612]

😂😂😂😂

[@insultlk]

💀💀

[@mrj4082]

Dedication. Just like Christoher Nolan dropping a nuke irl for the film Oppenheimer

[@mariaPapagi]

I’ve seen a theory that at first stages like runners, the human part is till alive but they can’t control anything and that’s why they scream more human like, it is the person inside screaming. After the stalker the human part dies. The fact that you are still alive and can’t do anything it’s terrifying

[@controlman7490]

Lol, did you delete your previous comment? The one where I was arguing with those other guys?

[@mariaPapagi]

@@controlman7490 lol yes, I thought it would be funny after more than 100 of comments of arguing is just deleted out of existence 😅

[@jamie_d0g978]

​@@mariaPapagiRuthless lmao. If you search for it in KZbin, there's a compilation of runners screams and cries, they actually retain some consciousness

[@mariaPapagi]

@@jamie_d0g978 yeah, but my knowledge is only based on the first game. I never played or watched the second game, there are probably more clues about it in the TLOU2

[@tweeks9896]

@@mariaPapagi in the first game u can hear an infected trying to screaming with words (its faint tho) during the first encounter with joel and tess

[@lance740]

Something interesting that they didn't touch on but is a great detail is that in the game if you come across a runner and you get close to them without killing them, you can hear them crying. Its a very scary thought because it really shows how trapped they are. They sit there, in the dark, twitching and crying and they can't do anything about it.

[@kjford587]

Yeah in the show too I recall a female runner crying as she was eating someone, messed up stuff.

[@tinytreehugger1]

5:11 “They will climb up a plant to search for light” When you’re lost in the darkness…

[@judaulul]

"Tell me to look for the light I'll break your neck"

[@stargazerastro]

Basically it’s a zombie apocalypse - they act like zombies, but they aren’t. In most franchises and movies zombies are shown as living dead - which for whatever reason in some way nevertheless act like being alive. The reason for this may be different - a virus, a curse, or witchcraft… In any case they are obviously dead, because in most depictions of zombies a necrotic decay is shown also different stages of increasing decay, up to partially or completely skeletonized individuals. In The Last Of Us franchise they speak of infected instead of zombies - the Cordyceps infection obviously doesn’t kill the infected person, because like any parasite, this fungus tries to keep its host alive as long as possible. They are apparently not only alive, but - at least this is suggested - partially aware of their desperate situation. At least in early stages of this Cordyceps infection. In the game, you often encounter so-called „Runners“ - an early stage of infection - standing or walking around whining or making desperate cries of lamentation. In later stages of the infection, the infected seem to lose these last vestiges of humanity as they become completely controlled by the Cordyceps. Nevertheless, even at this stage they are medically alive. Only in the final stage of this development, people die - you will find them in the game then in some corners and almost completely overgrown by fungi.

[@batalorian7997]

they are zombies in the sense that the infected hosts no longer has control over themselves. Just like the zombie slugs/snails. It's just that they are not *undead zombies*

[@raidermaxx2324]

true!!!^

[@jish683]

The term, “Zombie” actually pertains to erratic and unusual behavior. Which makes sense given smaller creatures like Ants and Mice and others infected by a specific parasite could make them zombie-like in a sense in order to keep spreading the parasite, fungus, or virus. Sure, zombies have been seen as the living dead, but zombies are a different ballgame.

[@papi-sauce]

mushroom zombies haha

[@satiat170]

It’s even more apparent when you play they game and notice that the dead obviously do not become the “infected” actually in the game not everyone who is infected become “zombie like” some people or a good amount of people really just die

[@SirStrugglesAlot]

TLOUS's infection is the only one where it'll make you go..."Wait a minute, this could actually happen"

[@aClownBaby-]

@@leon45sant Yeah it literally gives you unlimited stamina since you’re not controlling your own body

[@HM4Hill]

Thankfully cordyceps have been around for millions of years and are only biologically programmed to target ants because of how absurd their infection conditions are. The human body thankfully is like an oven to cordyceps so I doubt even your great great great great grandchildren will have to worry about it

[@dl30wpb]

Actually you will only say that if you're an imbecile.

[@kaelthunderhoof5619]

3:01 lol, I love her small laugh and it was perfectly cut.

[@yashohashikoto9945]

TRIVIA: in the video game, those screams, growls, cries that the infected do are their human conscious effect. they said that the infected are still conscious during their infection state and their mind and body reacts in despair knowing the fact that they can’t do nothing to stop the spreading of the infection… a slow agonizing reality that death is slowly having a toll on them as they consciously would live the rest of their lives knowing that they can’t do anything to stop the spreading of the infection. Now imagine this: You are still alive and you can feel the fungus slowly deteriorating your flesh, you feel the fungus eating your inside out, you are fighting it consciously to stop but you no longer have the cognitive function to stop it, you body and mind tries to tell you to get it out but you simply falls and submit to its command, that would be a very painful reality and despair would sink in you as you fall further and further into the abyss of slow and agonizing death.

[@williamvanevery3536]

Geez guys😆

[@jamie_d0g978]

Only runners tho. You can hear them crying while eating a guy who was their friend im the first encounter with them in the game. After that the fungus only let the motion part of the brain intact, so basically they have no conscience anymore.

[@Kwayjie]

Lol there dying mentally not physically, slowly evolving into the next stage.😂

[@yashohashikoto9945]

@@Kwayjie they’re gonna die eventually. seen how rare bloaters are there in-game? only a few would survive after the stage of being stalkers.

[@Kwayjie]

@@yashohashikoto9945 they die because people kill them.

[@rollingcredits9764]

The fact that the fungus in the game was rooted in reality made it so much more intriguing while playing. The show is now adding a rich new depth to the story showing how it spread, and giving a loose explanation as to why it happened. Excited to see what else they add in the coming episodes.

[@masamune2984]

This was one of the best pieces of media (videos or articles) on this subject I’ve ever seen. Excellent job, and thank you! 🙂

[@Money_maker12]

Man I'm proud of them this was a good idea this show will be a masterpiece

[@VeguldenZilverling]

I'd hold my horses. It's only been one episode. But it was a nice start I guess.

[@Money_maker12]

@@VeguldenZilverling ik I just hope it succeeds cause I teared because the episode didn't disappoint me at all I also wished they released all the episodes on season 1

[@yamiymikxxo2794]

@@VeguldenZilverling he said what he said it so will be a masterpiece 😈

[@agentsmithmememe]

Doubt that

[@Money_maker12]

@@yamiymikxxo2794what I meant was I hope I'm hearing episode 2 was good so I might be right

[@tricorne.953]

The last of us zombies is one of the most plausible, infact most likely zombie esque type of virus to happen and that's pretty amazing. I am glad they put so much heart into making this make sense.

[@jackthecommenter2768]

I definitely don’t want it to happen

[@TheRohit901]

@@jackthecommenter2768 then we should worry about climate change and conserve our environment.

[@cn2673]

@@TheRohit901 it won’t happen…..it’s not possible

[@dl30wpb]

@@TheRohit901 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 gtfoh

[@Bluetonium_19]

@@TheRohit901 totally agree

[@daniellau5859]

Loved the game. Hearing all about how fungi are incredibly dangerous that can take control of organisms makes you think how someone really determined which mushrooms are safe to eat

[@CornyBum]

Moment of silence for the thousands of our ancestors that learned through deadly trial and error while foraging to survive day after day Press F to pay respects

[@addicz2]

F

[@PhreakinPhilip]

@@CornyBum the ones who picked wrong unfortunately are none of our ancestors

[@CornyBum]

@@PhreakinPhilip Nonsense, they can still try and die after mating. Plenty of mothers and fathers tried and tested potential food before feeding their children.

[@Nocc2991]

I hope this is the start of faithful game to movie/show adaptions. It was really well done so far and there are so many stories in gaming that should be experienced by non-gamers. Personally I find it works better in episode format.

[@Mr_Fish10]

Same

[@clayongunzelle9555]

Tv shows are the real medium for telling these stories, but it has to start with respecting the source material.

[@Crayveee]

@@clayongunzelle9555 Let's hope the last of us is gonna be the start of it and not like Halo with master chief taking off the helmet in the first episode or resident evil making zootopia... COUGH COUGH COUGH canon

[@vic2958]

there’s been a ton of good adaptations

[@GreenAppelPie]

I could talk with this lady all day, this is very interesting stuff.

[@zumabbar]

she looks like Jennifer Carpenter

[@illusomni4]

Resident Evil = T-Virus The Last Of Us = Cordysep (Fungus) All of Us Are Dead = Jonas Virus (Snail) Kingdom Series = Plant It is incredible that every series has their own modification of their infection. That is insane!

[@Adamko_10playz]

Dying light=Harran/T harran and yeah it's also modified

[@TheMetalfreak360]

Nature is so effing' metal.

[@maddhendrix]

I never played the game, but I'm a huge HBO fan. The first 2 episodes of this show have been incredible!

[@hammerwick]

Yeah the show definitely increased my desire to delve into the game.

[@FiberAbe89]

The game is A+ try it out won't disappoint

[@genghisfunk5236]

Play the game, please you should trust me, thank me later

[@chinmayaguru7601]

@@genghisfunk5236 available for PC?

[@_Jorden]

@@chinmayaguru7601the first game is coming to steam in march i think

[@j._rom4597]

Man, those ants have been brutally tortured

[@jamie_d0g978]

Imagine how it must feel in a more complex mammal brain. It's nightmare fuel man...

[@germa9090]

The most disturbing thing is that by watching these professionals talk about this fungi infection in any Last of Us documentary/videos. NONE of them said that's impossible to happen.

[@BIG_TOM]

it wont happen. Insects have very simple imune system that cant form antibodies. Humans and chimps have one of the strongest and best imune systems in animal kingdom. We also have diffrent types of antibiotics that are specific for fungus infections.

[@chanparker7407]

@@BIG_TOM what if one day the fungi evolves? Will there be a tiny chance?

[@germa9090]

@@BIG_TOM most of them said that they adapt quickly. And the planet is getting warmer....

[@BIG_TOM]

@@chanparker7407 i would more worry about new viruses that are being created in Secret biolabs right now. Covid was first taste.

[@FocusedFighter777]

@@BIG_TOM You never know until it happens. No one here knows. You can't affirm that.

[@vanessax6938]

wow this was super interesting and very informative. Cant wait for the show on Sunday

[@juchidaf]

This video is AMAZING. Personally, Im a huge fan of apocalypse, zombies and bacteria/diseases. This explanation contrasted with the series and video game make it much more interesting and you realize its not just entertainment, but a masterclass of biology and nature. Thanks for sharing!

[@CrazyGamerTVY]

This gave me so much anxiety lol. Such a good video and like others said, it's nice to see a team putting so much promotion out there for a great game and what I would hope will be a great show.

[@iamthisiam]

The saddest reality of this for the infected in the show is they are conscious for a certain time. They are observing their own actions.

[@andrewboteler7522]

anyone with a garden will recognize the fungus flies that start gluing themselves to higher-up leaves. these dying flies grow into the leaves and produce mating pheromones that attract suitors to attempt to mate with the infected body, then fly off to spread it to future partners. not nearly as exotic as it might seem.

[@officerspooder]

I'm happy Dexter's sister is still alive and teaching us all about cordyceps

[@lorenzob1143]

🤣

[@Sarahjanam]

As someone who has played the game a few times, I appreciate this video. Imagining someone who hasn't though, we just saw what happens to a couple of major characters.

[@randomcomment5840]

Soo many spoilers

[@NotUnymous]

What? I must have missed them all then

[@Sarahjanam]

@@NotUnymous we saw one on tv last night.

[@janzeero_PhD]

I like how in the show infected not just bite and (eat) people, but bite and hold to spread (spores?) into the wound. You could see that in the Episode 1, and that fear in the eyes of people laying on the ground while infected continued to infect them. Terrifying.

[@GaspareBitetto]

I didn't know Debra Morgan left her police career to move into Biology.

[@Anpeo]

5:05 "When you're lost in the darkness look for the light"

[@rayjones597]

The movie The Girl with All the Gifts also made zombie infected by fungus carpenter ants.

[@phoenixc33]

True, I never saw the film but the book went into quite a lot of detail.

[@siddharthnagani]

It's horrifying that in the series/game humanity couldn't develop vaccine for 20-30 years. More horrific part is that fungi communicates, alerts and reveals survivors location. Woah that gives me chills. Pedro Pascal is just awesome 👌

[@markliu242]

Scary part is that this is also a thing in nature that already occurs! Look up "trees talking via mycelium"

[@siddharthnagani]

@@markliu242 Yeah! Very True 👍

[@floatytrouty]

Because there is no cure. Ellie is immune because she got the other type of cordecyps that didn't turn her into zombies and actively preventing other cordecyps that tried to get in, so 20-30 years make sense waiting for the other cordyceps to jump to humans too. Not to mention the conflict among the last humans preventing cooperation, some even liked the state of the world like Dictator Fedra official

[@AL_EVOz]

Its just amzing how last of us uses real world fungus to create a story in a video game. If this happens in our real world, lol better be prepared.

[@insultlk]

The military would single-handley wipe them out before it can even escalate in about a week. They don't even stand a chance when modern weaponry exists. If it would to happen in medieval than they would be screwed💀😂

[@zerogamer935]

The U.S. military would wipe them out in 7 days

[@loremipsum980]

@@insultlkPerhaps, but the military and modern weaponry don't stand a chance against the countless other ways humanity is gonna be wiped out in the future. A zombie apocalypse would just be one of the many possibilities.

[@yinyang2170]

I love the amount of detail Naughty Dog put into The Last Of Us. Not only is there story good and detail, but the scenery, the logic, the science. It's so amazing and I love it!

[@Mullet-ZubazPants]

0:58 Great, and cricket protein is just starting to be added into the food supply, specifically in snack food

[@Sheepdog1314]

the amazing part is the fungus does not get into the brain. No it does not go into the brain. It hits onto the central nerve system

[@starbonjr39]

isn't the brain part of the central nervous system with the spine?

[@josephnarvaez9507]

@@starbonjr39 yes

[@khrishp]

​@@starbonjr39 Yes, but I think what they're trying to get at is the fact that it doesn't go after any part of the brain that is in charge of conscious thought it only goes after the lower parts of the brain. meaning you're conscious and aware at all points until you actually finally die. This was a sick and twisted creation that makes the zombies in the last of us So incredible

[@jackrutledgegoembel5896]

The brain is part of the CNS.

[@Sai-ns9ky]

The brain is central nerve system. What do you think a brain is made up of?

[@Idkwhattoputhere...306]

2:44 Bro i Cant imagine the pain if that huge mouth bites the ant.

[@tylerdurden4169]

I haven't played the game but already addicted to this show.

[@acidalex420]

This is easily going to be one the best TV shows ever made.

[@DiaNne31]

Woah there buddy, it just came out let’s not be too hasty

[@acidalex420]

@@DiaNne31 3 episodes in and it’s already better than 90% of the TV being produced today. I don’t think I’m being hasty.

[@TPNsBiggestFan]

@@acidalex420 “one of the best tv shows ever made” is a VERY big claim. im not disagreeing with you, tlou is my favourite game, and im sure the show is great, im just making you aware since you dont seem to understand what they mean

[@acidalex420]

@@TPNsBiggestFan if I didn’t understand what I was saying, why would I say it? 💀

[@TPNsBiggestFan]

@@acidalex420 i never said you didnt understand. im explaining to you what they mean. and a LOT of people dont understand the kind of claim theyre making, so why would i just assume you did anyway?

[@MotionlessKnight]

What's scary is that I don't think it's really hard to believe that something like this could actually happen. If the fungus that does this to ants and mamals and stuff were to evolve or mutate, it could probably reach the point where it could take control of humans.

[@Mitol-7]

Don’t worry I got round up

[@trendthis364]

Anti-vax and covid denier would be the first to die bc they say it's crisis actors lmao

[@constanterratic4252]

Humans can get toxoplasmosis and scientists are investigating how human behaviour changes as a result (it seems it’s the same risk-taking kind of behaviour as seen in the wolves). So it’s kind of already a reality lol. I’m going to live in a bubble now, lol.

[@seggsbennyyyyyy]

I dont think it would be to the extent of eating other people though, more like you just slowly rot

[@DrLee-sw9lh]

As a genuine lover of these games (TLOU 1&2) and now the series. This was rather...highly educational and very informative. See ma! I told you video games aren''t for kids (only)!!

[@snakeshadows6993]

With the last part of the video, the Doctor basically explained that the fungus wouldn't wipe us out. Because if it did, how would the fungus survive without its human hosts? The game and the show make this strand of cordyceps sound like an invasive species. One that consumes every human it comes into contact with. In that regard, the cordyceps could and would wipe out humanity without the thought of saving some for later.

[@arlom5132]

Humans are attempting infinite growth with finite resources right now. There's no reason to assume cordyceps wouldn't do the same.

[@NotUnymous]

No she didnt. She just suggest that it wouldnt be smart of the fungus. But she also explained that in RL, those fungi kills as soon as the hist is in the best position to spread. So yeah.

[@snakeshadows6993]

@@NotUnymous You clearly did NOT pay attention to what I said! I SAID that the doctor EXPLAINED that the fungus would NOT wipe us out because if it did, they wouldn't have any hosts left. That it wouldn't be smart for the fungus to do so. She did imply that the fungus would likely "save some of us for later!" Fungus and plant life have been shown to have a level of intelligence not fully known to humans. That's exactly what she implied. Seriously!

[@rcl4737]

@@snakeshadows6993So it’s basically a negative symbiotic relationship, right?

[@snakeshadows6993]

@@rcl4737 You can say that. In the second episode, it was revealed that the infected are a part of a hive mind. In the show's universe, they're all connected to the cordyceps through underground tendrils. But the cordyceps seemingly keep the humans alive only for its own survival. Not because it actually cares about them.

[@jesuschrystler777]

I love that the show managed to add so much new lore to make the cordyceps infection more believable. In the game you wonder how a fungal zombie plague would have spread so quickly, but in the show it makes so much sense.

[@Zeekeal]

This just made the game that much scarier

As an antkeeper I'm happy to see ants more in mainstream!

[@kaksidaksi3455]

Can i ask what is the point of keeping ants?

[@PenguinNinja45]

Following

[@perehaddi8969]

@@kaksidaksi3455 I wanna know too.

[@Chaos_Nova]

@@kaksidaksi3455 it’s a hobby , what’s the point of anything . They like doing it it’s not that deep

[@AntsCzech]

this is great :D KZbin keeps on removing my comments

[@likearockcm]

In a word , fascinating !

[@dinostars9166]

Mann idk why, but i got a goosebumps just watching this.

[@christopherwang4392]

Imagine the world of Pixar's _A Bug's Life_ (1998) or DreamWorks' _Antz_ (1998) with Cordyceps...

[@a7t0r98]

This show is really promising so far after episode 1

[@sentientmustache8360]

Can’t wait to see the Clickers next episode

[@DoomSDar1on]

Remember this woman, we'll need her in case of a zombie apocalypse.

[@joshnizzle]

Greatest game of all time. I hope the show lives up to it

[@FrancT-]

Bit of a stretch. Great game but the greatest of all time goes a little too far.

[@Punisher6791]

just watched the first episode, it definitely reaches the bar that the game set.

[@ayespenzo358]

@@FrancT- then what is the greatest game of all time them?

[@FrancT-]

@@ayespenzo358 I have absolutely no idea. The Last of Us may be the best adventure/linear game, but it isn't the greatest of all games. There are so many genres.

[@lloydbonafide3398]

@ayespenzo358 that really comes down to opinion. I think the greatest game of all time can come down to how much people played it, can go back to playing it, the bar it sets, etc. Theres so many factors and genres to say one game is the greatest. Some might say RE4 is the greatest. Some might say halo, or god of war, or even the original mario parties, smash bros or karts. Then finally you could say the original gta san andreas is the greatest game ever. I mean, who couldn't go back to that game and play it right now. Too many great games out there. Last of us in my opinion isn't that. However it is a special game and i would say top 5 for me.

[@lacountess]

Jesus no matter how horrifying fictional stories get, nature always tops it. Those poor insects man. 🥺

[@MrMaboboz]

Just finished episode 1 and loved it, haven't had a chance to play the games yet as I'm broke and can't afford to buy them but that's actually paid off as I'm going into this not knowing exactly what to expect.

[@TroyJones345]

Dude go to walmart the game is 20$ in the cheap game section

[@MrMaboboz]

@@TroyJones345 Not American my dude.

[@jifij89]

if you’re in the u.k. the shop CEX has copies of both the ps3 and ps4 for very cheap! under £10

[@MichaelBohemian]

knowing this who's to say your negative mental state isn't just an infection we haven't identified yet. Knowing this make a conscious effort to not confirm to that negative thinking. Supress and overcome!

[@sarapocklington1881]

Toxoplasmosis can change human behavior as well and make people more likely to take risks. Including potentially beneficial ones. But it can also be associated with schizophrenia or rage disorder. Makes the idea of a Last of Us type scenario even creepier. She's right though, infections with too high a mortality rate tend to burn out.

[@PrimalMisfit]

Nothing is more scary than reality.. specifically this time round the reality of nature

[@letzsnuggzz]

We don't need fungi. We have religion. Same zombifying effect.

[@orishaeshu1084]

Sadly true. It’s a way to cope with a world we don’t understand.

[@babangteo2853]

Nah. What?!?

[@plasticchairguy6471]

The scary thing is theres a small chance that someday it starts infecting humans

[@PhantomLordOG]

Especially if scientists speed up that process

[@loremipsum980]

Eh, if it's not the zombifying fungus, then it would be the other disastrous things that will screw us all over. So you know? Enjoy the ride while it still lasts.

[@mr.gamerchannel2970]

The opening scene 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rachinter]

Finally realistic zombies. 💯🔥

[@TheDelwish]

I would not say that. As I understood ants that were infected by such parasitic fungus, actually start do simple but reasonable for fungus program, it's like bio-robots. but what we see in the trailer? the same chaotic and hysterical zombies as usual.

[@Reject101Personal]

Not zombies. Zombies are undead. The infected I. This show are still alive

[@Kumire_921]

@@TheDelwish yeah it doesn't make much sense for them to be so aggressive and self destructive, if the point is to spread their spores why would they kill any possible hosts they come in contact with lol

[@ghostofmoredishesmorebitch1507]

@@TheDelwishobviously you didn't play the games

[@insultlk]

Bro wants zombies to happen💀💀. WTF MAN! If u see me on the streets just know I don't play no games 💯

[@karenzhen3530]

This makes the series all that more terrifying

[@eduarddv00]

Wait wtf. 8:40 So you're telling me that the scenario laid out in the show CAN HAPPEN?

[@katr.9902]

Now I'm going to start freaking out when I see wandering ants.

[@ylihao]

3:01 Love that chuckle lol 😁

[@hixer883]

So the ants at the clicker phase also will “look for the light” lol

[@LaPelusaMojada]

The only problem is that out body temperature is what keeps us immune against fungi.

[@Whammybars]

This is untrue.

[@kngrfdegj5940]

people get fungal infections

[@salar7902]

@@kngrfdegj5940 on the outside of their bodies though.

[@tamlm]

@@salar7902 Candida and Aspergillus would like to have a word with you

[@kavid8120]

yea i’m the Last of Us show…they mentioned it can’t live in temps above 94degrees

[@username6661.]

Fav series combine with sciens

[@Samuraiwavy]

8:30 hmmm where did I hear this?

[@matrixgaming8637]

I forgot that this video was about a videogame and it's tv series 😂😂...while watching this it actually felt like I was watching discovery channel 😂

[@icecoldgazpacho]

This is the sort of video you don’t want to finish watching and hear knocking at the door. This is actually making me paranoid that this will happen one day 😂😢

[@heredownunder]

This Halloween is going to be on a different level

[@eviltricster8090]

I've never played these games but knowing the creators used real science as a base for their game is pretty cool. I wish I could afford to play it now.

[@Dubya3030]

I picked it up for $10 at the pawn shop for ps4. Check there

[@jifij89]

if you have a ps3 it’s very cheap to get it second hand!

[@barelywatch9278]

The scary part is this is type of zombie outbreak is highly likely.

[@Leo-tm7yi]

Not highly likely but out of all zombie outbreaks it’s highly plausible

[@josh043p6]

Not likely

[@hwanniggles187]

I wouldnt say its highly likely but definitely possible. Maybe not in our lifetimes or maybe we also continue to evolve; both bodies and medical evolution to fight off fungi

[@mshell1959]

Zombies' are real and living everywhere on the streets of LA. I drive by scores of them every day.

[@RazorO2Productions]

Hah, Californian here, I agree.

[@jamie_d0g978]

Lmao

[@alexisramirez456]

Add this to the list of reasons I have a fungus phobia

[@justinauyeung1290]

I think I'm being controlled by the yogurt I eat...it tells me to keep buying more.

[@orishaeshu1084]

That’s because it contains sugar. Eat plain yogurt and oh boy.

[@LeanAndMean44]

Thanks. This is important knowledge to have, personally and as a society. What I find interesting and revealing is that facts such as that climate change will make these fungi better at infecting humans is silently accepted by the larger audience. Barely anyone mentions this in this very comment section, people rather want to talk about the fictional show than the sad reality.

[@Leo-tm7yi]

Fr when this was brought up in the show I was basically the only one who was thinking about climate change helping fungi adapt and potentially infect people

[@jackthecommenter2768]

@@Leo-tm7yi how

[@lucasliew1749]

@@Leo-tm7yi go join greta then

[@Leo-tm7yi]

@@jackthecommenter2768 its very unlikely but possible

[@jumpjimcrow6959]

This is not reason because infected humans and fungus still can survive cold winter in game...

[@ethanlackey8048]

I thought cordyceps was only able to grab muscles/limbs? Trapping the host inside. Well I thought that was the new understanding of what it does now unless that’s just a specific species. This is in response to the hallucinations bit btw.

[@wildsideofthings7733]

1:22 The video briefly mentions that it doesn't touch the nervous very briefly. Honestly I think it's too brief and most people would likely continue with the misunderstanding that the current consensus is still that cordy alters the body directly through the nervous system. It's a pop science video though, so it's made to be as engaging and entertaining as possible. An explanation of a change in scientific consensus may not be all that entertaining most people.

[@ethanlackey8048]

@@wildsideofthings7733 true, I do like that the scientist said we can make no vaccines tho. Since that only works on viruses.

[@Amozon28]

Including the firs doctors comment about a possible future of pandemic bc of plans in genius bc thats what happened the last few years. It primes the audience for the second far more terrifying reality of a future with fungi bc of global warming. Sonething that is also happening. Starting the entire series with this scene GROUNDS it in reality, making it terrifying

[@sullysullivan1282]

am I alone in experiencing the entirety of this video's captions in the first 4 frames because it was very unexpected but amusing

[@jamesburke9680]

It's only a matter of time before something happens like this for real

[@insultlk]

💀💀Even if it did they don't have plot armour like the games and movies

[@gorsoghomonjan1025]

Fear mongering lmao

[@jamesburke9680]

@@gorsoghomonjan1025 your a dam fool and trust me something is coming only a matter of time 💯

[@gorsoghomonjan1025]

Almost like there are more deadly diseases than some devolved fungal infection.

[@abigfart6786]

Please no omg

[@dave_made]

Should’ve watched this after my lunch 😂

[@latenightwizard6892]

Mushroom people. 😆 🤣

[@AntiSocialismo50]

Lol

[@aliciap1nk]

It sounds like she says “udder cicada” when talking about the butt spores and I giggled.

[@ultraultraultra]

Suprised, how Debra Morgan didnt use a single curse word.

[@fortyozsteak]

I love how they left humans off this list. Majority of humans have a parasite, fungus, or bacteria in their gut that influenced decision making.

[@jFranco1994]

She was great! Thanks

[@mattalford3932]

Are you gonna do a video on the biology of the perfect golf swing for part 2 I mean season 2 lol.

[@Thomas_Angelo]

The fact that she didn't reject the fact that what happened in the last of us can happen to us is scaring me.

[@fulmetang]

If the world got warmer wouldn’t our body temperature also get warmer so the fungi wouldn’t be able to adapt to our bodies even if it was able to adapt to warmer temperatures.

[@Thesamurai1999]

I have seen some studies that actually shows the opposite. Our bodies are getting colder and the science behind it is not clear yet. It may be because we always have enough clothe and heat.

[@CameoAmalthea]

Question, doesn’t cordyceps live in tropical climates? Why would high body temperature be a problem if it’s hot where it fruits and spreads naturally? What about Valley Fever, that seems to infect people just fine?

[@mb32174]

8:49 Start and slow to .25 speed...she has a tongue thingy. Very nice Dr. de Bekker 😃👍