Toxoplasma gondii – 30 to 50% of humanity has a brain parasite (opens in new tab)

(en.wikipedia.org)

3 points_98fj9y ago3 comments

3 comments

3 comments · 1 top-level

nibs9y ago· 2 in thread

My (almost) entirely unscientific thesis is that this is why cats are domesticated. They are neurotic and totally useless pets, but people love them, specifically certain people. The "crazy cat lady" probably just had toxo induced psychosis. [1] PS. The immunosuppressant drug that treats toxo symptoms in the immunocompromised (ie. AIDs infected) is the one that Martin Shkreli got famous raising the price of. [1]: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/03/how-your...

Nadya9y ago

>They are neurotic and totally useless pets, but people love them, specifically certain people.

You've never had mice in your pantries before modern storing containers. ;) Cats hunt rodents and often bugs/other pests. Dogs aren't as good at hunting mice.

nibs9y ago

Good point. I ommitted farm cats, despite growing up on a farm. In that case, they are useful.

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