Is TLOU possible in real life?
A The Last of Us (TLOU) style apocalypse is scientifically implausible in real life. While based on real Cordyceps fungi that control insects, they cannot survive the high body temperatures of humans. Experts say a mass, rapidly spreading, human-to-human fungal brain infection is highly unlikely. Yale School of Medicine +2Is Last of Us possible in real life?
While The Last of Us is inspired by real fungi like Cordyceps that control insects, a human-zombie apocalypse from it is highly unlikely due to massive biological barriers like our complex brains and high body temperatures, but climate change is making fungi more adaptable, raising concerns about emerging fungal pathogens, though not in the dramatic zombie-flick way.Can TLOU happen in real life?
While The Last of Us is inspired by real fungi like Cordyceps that control insects, a human-zombie apocalypse from it is highly unlikely due to massive biological barriers like our complex brains and high body temperatures, but climate change is making fungi more adaptable, raising concerns about emerging fungal pathogens, though not in the dramatic zombie-flick way.Could The Last of Us become a reality?
While The Last of Us's fungal apocalypse is highly improbable due to major biological barriers (human body temp, immune system, fungal specialization), experts agree that fungal threats are increasing, making some form of fungal pandemic, though less dramatic, a potential concern, notes Yale School of Medicine and University of South Florida. The core fiction lies in Cordyceps rapidly evolving from insects to humans and causing mind control, but actual fungi already pose real challenges, explains this YouTube video from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training & Education Center and this YouTube video from the University of South Florida.Would there really be no cure for Cordyceps?
Take the fact that even 20 years after the outbreak of the apocalyptic fungal pandemic there was no cure or vaccine to protect against the deadly cordyceps fungus. This isn't all that unrealistic, considering in reality there are currently no vaccines available which can protect against fungal infections.The Last of Us: Could it Happen?
Could The Last of Us happen?
While The Last of Us's fungal apocalypse is highly improbable due to major biological barriers (human body temp, immune system, fungal specialization), experts agree that fungal threats are increasing, making some form of fungal pandemic, though less dramatic, a potential concern, notes Yale School of Medicine and University of South Florida. The core fiction lies in Cordyceps rapidly evolving from insects to humans and causing mind control, but actual fungi already pose real challenges, explains this YouTube video from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training & Education Center and this YouTube video from the University of South Florida.Could the cordyceps virus be real?
Cordyceps, or Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is indeed a real fungus that parasitizes the brains of insects like ants or spiders.Is The Last of Us biologically possible?
The Last of Us is not upon us, neither biologically nor psychologically; humankind's response in reality might, we believe, be far kinder than what is portrayed here.Has TLOU 3 been confirmed?
The Last of Us Part 3 game isn't officially confirmed as released or fully announced, but Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann has confirmed a concept and storyline exist, suggesting it's highly probable, though a new sci-fi game (Intergalactic) is in development first, pushing a Part 3 release likely to 2027 or later, while the HBO series Season 3 is confirmed for filming in 2026.Does Dina ever find out that Ellie is immune?
Yes, Dina finds out Ellie is immune in The Last of Us Part II (and the TV show's version of that event), during a pivotal scene where Ellie's mask breaks during an infected encounter, forcing her to reveal her bite and immunity to Dina. This moment confirms Ellie's special nature to Dina, leading to both shocking and intimate reactions, including Dina's own pregnancy reveal, as they process the implications of Ellie's immunity and their relationship.Is Conplan 8888 real or fake?
Yes, CONPLAN 8888, or "Counter-Zombie Dominance," is a real U.S. Department of Defense document, but it's a fictional training tool created by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) to teach junior officers how to develop contingency plans for any threat, using an absurd scenario to avoid political sensitivities and make learning more engaging. It's not a serious war plan for actual zombies but a way to practice military planning for unexpected disasters, using "zombies" as a stand-in for any catastrophic event.Are zombies biologically possible?
No, classic fictional zombies (reanimated corpses craving brains) are scientifically impossible because dead bodies can't move, process energy, or function, violating biology and physics; however, real-world "zombie" phenomena, like voodoo-induced catatonia or brain-affecting diseases (rabies, prions), show aspects of altered behavior, while fungi can control insect minds, inspiring some "zombie" concepts but not creating undead humans.Is fungus the next pandemic?
Five years after COVID became a global pandemic, could another health crisis be on our horizon? According to scientists who study diseases, the possibility of a fungal pandemic—the subject of science fiction TV shows like “The Last of Us,” could be more of a reality, thanks to climate change and our warming planet.Could fungus actually infect humans?
About 148,000 types have been characterized, a few hundred of which are pathogenic for humans (2). A recent fungal priority pathogens list developed by the World Health Organization attributes 1.6 million annual deaths to fungal infections (3); considerable illness can also be attributed to fungal infections.Can TLOU happen in IRL?
While The Last of Us is inspired by real fungi like Cordyceps that control insects, a human-zombie apocalypse from it is highly unlikely due to massive biological barriers like our complex brains and high body temperatures, but climate change is making fungi more adaptable, raising concerns about emerging fungal pathogens, though not in the dramatic zombie-flick way.Is the aquarium in TLOU2 real?
The fictional Seattle Waterfront Aquarium is based on the real life Seattle Aquarium, a public aquarium located at Pier 59 of Elliott Bay in Seattle.Will Abby be in TLOU 3?
Yes, Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever) is confirmed to be a central character, leading The Last of Us Season 3, which will adapt the second half of The Last of Us Part II game, focusing on her story after the events of Season 2, with creators confirming a major shift in perspective to fully explore her character and world.How old is Ellie when Joel dies?
Ellie was 19 years old when Joel died at the beginning of The Last of Us Part II, about five years after the first game, with Joel having passed away in late 2028 or early 2029 (depending on the timeline source).Will Joel be in TLOU 3?
Yes, Pedro Pascal's Joel is expected to appear in The Last of Us Season 3, primarily through flashbacks, following his death in Season 2, as show creators have hinted at his continued presence and the extensive source material means more time will likely be needed to cover The Last of Us Part II storyline, potentially stretching into Season 4.Are Cordyceps like Viagra?
While Cordyceps is traditionally used and sometimes called "Himalayan Viagra" for sexual health, it doesn't work like Viagra (sildenafil); it's not a proven ED treatment, lacks strong scientific backing, and operates through potentially different mechanisms like improving circulation and boosting libido, though research is limited and it's not FDA-regulated like prescription ED drugs.What is the rarest infected in The Last of Us?
The rarest infected in The Last of Us are generally considered the Bloaters, as they take years to develop from hosts strong enough to survive that long, becoming giant, heavily armored, spore-throwing behemoths; however, the most unique and arguably rarest is the Rat King, a massive, unique amalgamation of multiple infected creatures that only formed under specific, prolonged conditions in Seattle.Can Ellie infect people if she bites them?
No, if Ellie bites someone, they do not get infected because her unique immune response to the Cordyceps fungus means her saliva and bodily fluids aren't contagious, a fact she confirms in her journal and through interactions in The Last of Us Part II, despite initially believing she could spread it after biting David. Her immunity stems from a mutated fungal strain that doesn't take over her brain, preventing normal infection and transmission.How realistic is The Last of Us infection?
It could happen, but definitely not at the level of a pandemic. What would have to happen for Cordyceps to infect people? Cordyceps would first have to be able to evade the immune system of humans—and second, be able to consume the tissues of humans, which are really not the same as insects.What kills Cordyceps in real life?
An autoclave: While it's technically possible to sterilize substrates using a pressure cooker, they aren't designed for this particular purpose, making autoclaves the more reliable option.Could there have been a cure in The Last of Us?
That's been one of the big questions ever since The Last of Us came out in 2013. Now, creator Neil Druckmann has said that "our intent was yes they could." Link in the comments for more. Ben Olive-Jones she says it after it's already done.
← Previous question
Where does FaZe currently live?
Where does FaZe currently live?
Next question →
Does IQ decline with age?
Does IQ decline with age?