Item — HN Reader

Ok, so there is a parasite that happens to alter human behavior, and a significant percentage of the human population is infected.

Why is it that I

- have never heard of large-scale testing for infection

- have never heard of an effort to contain or eradicate this parasite (compared to e.g. rabies)

I don't know, it kind of seems like a big deal, or am I completely mistaken?

5 comments

Because pet enthusiasts are generally highly irrational when it comes to the harm pets can cause? Or more generally, we're acculturated to think of certain things as normal due to widespread exposure or lack of alternatives.

If I punch you in the face, causing you to stay home from work for a few days, but no other lasting damage, I'm a violent criminal. If I go to work while exhibiting flu symptoms because "I just can't afford to stay home", then I'm just a normal human being.

If you're raised in a culture where pet ownership is normal, then the unhygienic aspects of pets are just cleanliness-minded-people-freaking-out. If you're raised in a culture where pets are considered "unclean", then you have a different perspective on people's right to inflict their pets on others.

Because the modifications are slight and still within the normal range of variation in the uninfected population.

Yes, but it seems like it has effects simular to a slight depression on men. So it impacts quality of life, at least thats the impression I got. So even if it does not cause huge costs for the health care system or unability to function in life or work, it still seems strange to just ignore it. At least pregnant women are tested it seems.

Toxo causes the brain to produce more dopamine. Dopamine is released in novel situations (i.e. Stumbling on scattered cash). Seritonin is released during consummatory behaviors (i.e. Eating, sex, etc). While most of the released dopamine and seritonin released is part of private conversations between neurons some of the molecules leak out and diffuse through the brain. These background levels of dopamine influence the brain more globally and the brain uses the ratio of dopamine to seritonin as a measure of 'status' meaning 'of how much there is to get (dopamine), how much am I getting (seritonin)'

Lots of dopamine and little seritonin influence behavior in a lot of subtle ways. It puts reaction times on a hair trigger which makes movements quick but spastic (improves video games, destroys handwriting). Increases the likelihood to escalate quickly when threatened (get away from my stuff!). Increases libido. Mild OCD type behaviors. Etc, etc, etc.

Women seem wired to pick up these clues and avoid low status men. On the flip side. Makes great programmers.

That was quite interesting. The only thing that doesn't fit well with my life experience is the "high libido" part. The high dopamine crowd seems to be less interested in sex than the average male, in my impression.

Look at some of the side effects of dopamine agonists used to treat Parkinson's disease. Hyper sexuality and gambling addictions are common. But I'm not going to argue with your life experience. However there is a difference between desire and expression of that desire which many learn to supress.

Dopamine also increases exploratory behaviors; suppresses oxytocin release (cuddle hormone) and reduces social bonding; increases the ability to form memories; reduces the ability to forget. Think the BBS version of Sherlock Holmes.

> - have never heard of large-scale testing for infection

Every pregnant woman gets tested, isn't that large-scale enough?

Didn't catch that one - thx!

Rabies is horrible and obvious. This is mild and subtle. It is not more extreme then most of the random things in your environment that modify your behaviour.

Rabies leads to an excruciating death...

Because they don't want you to know, clearly.

I realized it sounded a little paranoid after posting it - didn't mean it that way.