By The Way...

Thursday, August 10, 2006
3:15:00 PM EDT
Hearing Lithium -- Nirvana
Got cats? You may have parasites! And they may change your personality:

The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been transmitted indirectly from cats to roughly half the people on the planet, and it has been shown to affect human personalities in different ways.

Research has shown 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.

Other researchers have linked the parasite to schizophrenia. In an adult, the symptoms are like a mild form of flu, but it can be much more serious in an infant or fetus. Oxford University researchers believe high levels of the parasite leads to hyperactivity and lower IQs in children.

I believe we've discussed this before, but this article goes into a little more detail about the parasite and how deeply it can change something as basic as one's way of viewing the world.

I've had cats since I was a kid. I don't think they've made me dumber, either then or now. But then, I guess, how would I know. I do find it interesting that the  parasite seems to have positive effects in women and negative effects in men. And for the men, who may be dumbinated by the cat parasite, a small tip: If a woman is, in fact, warm and kind and social, try not to say "You're so nice, you must be infected with parasites." Because, well, that just doesn't go over well.


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This entry has 2 comments: (Add your own)

• #2 Comment from monponsett 
  8/10/06 10:09 PM | Permalink

  "The world's worst dog is still better than a cat."
  
  Maybe if you had more dogs/less cats, you'd have written For Whom The Bell Tolls or something.
  
  Remember kids... if a scientist says you're boring, you're probably still al lot more fun than he/she is. Eff them, and their theories.
• #1 Comment from ondinemonet 
  8/10/06 4:53 PM | Permalink

  LOL
  
  Well... that explains some stuff! ;)