Zombie Physics question?

[naosu]

So I had something to pick your minds about. It has to do with ZoMbIe physics. Zombies versus electric fences is the theme here. And it seems like it could go more than 1 way when you think about it.

So... example 1; Homeless vagrant touches an electric fence. He gets shocked. Predictably he would go away and avoid it. (And possibly live for revenge another day especially if his wife is named Karen.) Since he's alive he has no desire to touch the electric fence again.

Example 2; the house is protected by a massively strong electric fence attached to like those steel rod fences made a few decades ago that last and don't get pushed over (not chain link fencing). Because zombies are impervious to pain, this could go either way. Its possible that when zombies shock themselves on the electric fence they could get repelled. OR in theory it MIGHT ENRAGE THEM instead?

What do you think about this? Would they go after an electric fence even more? Or ... maybe it could stun them for a longer period of time than a human also is a third scenario in addition to above. (I think it stunning them longer than a normal human is possible, especially since their brains are... weaker.)

One of the ideas that I heard that made me wonder about this, a few years ago I heard that if you have a fire near a beehive at night that the bees may try to 'attack' the fire, when they see it at night. (I don't know if this is true or not either actually. But it makes you wonder... In theory zombies might act like bees, insects in some ways. This idea of zombies acting like insects seems interesting.)

And I'm partly asking about this concept for a story I have up here. Thanks.

 

[Empress_Omnii]

This idea of zombies acting like insects seems interesting.

And I'm partly asking about this concept for a story I have up here.

If it's interesting do it.

What do you think about this? Would they go after an electric fence even more?

I myself have no opinions or preferences on this. It's all up to what the author wants, zombies change across stories and it can go either way.

Just do what you will find interesting.

 

[Fairemont]

Zombies are more likely to pile onto the electric fence and burn through your generators and/or short out the system in short order.

A good, sturdy fence is superior in a zombie situation.

 

[LilRora]

I would consider what a zombie is to answer that question. If a zombie is completely mindless, it won't be enraged by the fence, and it won't avoid it either - it will just bump into it again and again until chance pulls it in a different direction. If it has some vestiges of survival instinct, it will avoid the fence. If the fence enrages it, it would suggest a notable level of rudimentary intelligence that allows it to recognize it is hurt and retaliate, which may or may not fit your zombie.

 

[RainingFish]

How do zombies work in your world? Are they sci-fi or magical? If the zombies don't use nerves to control their motion like humans do then maybe they won't be affected by the fence at all.

Also, it might be cool if someone had a vehicle pulled by zombies. Maybe with someone hanging in front of the zombies as bait to control them.

 

[Arkus86]

A lot of the stunning effect is from how electricity affects muscles, not brains. More muscle mass usually means stronger effect. Translating this to (non-magical) zombies, e.g. bodies in various states of decay, it is likely their muscle mass would have deteriorated, and so it would not affect them as much.

Whether they would attack the fence, depends on how zobies work exactly in your story - what caused them to become zombies and by what strategy does it spread.
For instance, there are several zombie-like parasites and fungi in our real world (though nothing capable of taking over even small animals, much less humans), and each works in somewhat different ways. The Zombie-ant fungus affects the ants it infects, ultimately leading them to hand onto a leaf about 25 cm above ground, where it hangs until and after it dies, the fungus spreading its spores from there.

 

[Rezcore]

Define zombie...
Walking undead? No effect
Controlled but alive? Pain

 

[naosu]

Thank you very much for your comments.