Beware of Cat
May 3, 2009 5:43 PM Subscribe
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that lives in cats. Rats infected with T.gondii are drawn to the scent of cats. A researcher has found that women who are infected with the parasite tend to be warm, outgoing and attentive to others, while infected men tend to be less intelligent and probably a bit boring. But both men and women who are infected are more prone to feeling guilty and insecure.
This post was deleted for the following reason: This was aprt of a larger more comprehensive post on this general topic and one news article plus one wikipedia article doesn't really go beyond that. -- jessamyn
Another, slightly more scientific and explanatory article.
This is a secondary analysis of data on national personality types and Toxoplasma gondii infection rates. It differs from the previous mentioned post because Lafferty is ascribing this parasite the power to affect entire human cultures not just individual personality. Quite amazing if true. (Although, of course, that thread does actually contain discussion of this very point.)
posted by Sova at 6:02 PM on May 3, 2009
This is a secondary analysis of data on national personality types and Toxoplasma gondii infection rates. It differs from the previous mentioned post because Lafferty is ascribing this parasite the power to affect entire human cultures not just individual personality. Quite amazing if true. (Although, of course, that thread does actually contain discussion of this very point.)
posted by Sova at 6:02 PM on May 3, 2009
"men tend to be less intelligent and probably a bit boring. But both men and women who are infected are more prone to feeling guilty and insecure."
Wow, sounds like I must have it. How can I be sure? Without reading all those big words.
posted by Iron Rat at 6:08 PM on May 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
Wow, sounds like I must have it. How can I be sure? Without reading all those big words.
posted by Iron Rat at 6:08 PM on May 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
Well, that explains it!
posted by MaryDellamorte at 6:08 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by MaryDellamorte at 6:08 PM on May 3, 2009
AAAAAAH CAT FLU!
posted by XMLicious at 6:09 PM on May 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by XMLicious at 6:09 PM on May 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Hmmm, some intresting reactions. Clicks on profiles, clicks on Flickr link... Oooooh, look at all those cat photos. CAN I HAS KONTROL!!!
posted by Elmore at 6:16 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by Elmore at 6:16 PM on May 3, 2009
Where do you opt to do your business, Afroblanco?
posted by Hildegarde at 6:18 PM on May 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by Hildegarde at 6:18 PM on May 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
But I'm intelligent, yet boring. How do those "scientists" explain that?
Good to see this again. Parasites are fascinating they way they adapt to their environment, the host.
posted by orthogonality at 6:18 PM on May 3, 2009
Good to see this again. Parasites are fascinating they way they adapt to their environment, the host.
posted by orthogonality at 6:18 PM on May 3, 2009
Cats are filthy creatures that shit inside the house. I will never own a cat.
Last time I checked, I shat inside the house too. Are you saying that you shit outside?
posted by MaryDellamorte at 6:19 PM on May 3, 2009 [2 favorites]
Last time I checked, I shat inside the house too. Are you saying that you shit outside?
posted by MaryDellamorte at 6:19 PM on May 3, 2009 [2 favorites]
Cats are filthy creatures that shit inside the house.
My, how lush your yard must be.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:21 PM on May 3, 2009 [3 favorites]
My, how lush your yard must be.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:21 PM on May 3, 2009 [3 favorites]
Are you saying that you shit outside?
The Pope does, but his mind control remains effective. Back to the drawing board, science.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:21 PM on May 3, 2009
The Pope does, but his mind control remains effective. Back to the drawing board, science.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:21 PM on May 3, 2009
Cats are filthy creatures that shit inside the house.
Couldn't agree more, Afroblanco. That's why you are always welcome at my house.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:22 PM on May 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Couldn't agree more, Afroblanco. That's why you are always welcome at my house.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:22 PM on May 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
You're all full of shit. Except Afroblanco, who has filled your garden with shit.
posted by Elmore at 6:24 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by Elmore at 6:24 PM on May 3, 2009
Sure didn't take long for this thread to turn unintelligent and boring. That bug works fast.
posted by mhoye at 6:32 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by mhoye at 6:32 PM on May 3, 2009
Quick, everyone, say something exciting and intelligent.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:34 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:34 PM on May 3, 2009
How warm and outgoing of you.
posted by anthill at 6:37 PM on May 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by anthill at 6:37 PM on May 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Is there a quick and easy way to test for toxoplasma gondii? Because those symptoms are so generic that a whole lot of people are going to think they exhibit them.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 6:37 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 6:37 PM on May 3, 2009
If being warm and outgoing is the price I have to pay to cuddle my cat every morning, well dammit, I'll just have to pay it.
posted by Hildegarde at 6:38 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by Hildegarde at 6:38 PM on May 3, 2009
You're welcome to actually add to the thread at any stage if you feel it is boring or unintelligent. Of course if you have nothing interesting or intelligent to offer, then why not just shit in it.
posted by Elmore at 6:39 PM on May 3, 2009
posted by Elmore at 6:39 PM on May 3, 2009
HOW DO I GET IT OUT OF ME
The cat's in the bag, and the bag's in the river...
posted by Elmore at 6:49 PM on May 3, 2009
The cat's in the bag, and the bag's in the river...
posted by Elmore at 6:49 PM on May 3, 2009
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I'm glad to see the scientist isn't trying to force these conclusions on anyone, just suggesting the possibility of toxoplasma gondii parasites affecting our personalities as they do with those of infected rats, and advocating more research.
posted by misha at 5:50 PM on May 3, 2009