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MMORPG Used to Model Real World Disease
Oxygen99 writes "The Times is reporting on a paper by researchers in the US who argue that the spread of 'corrupted blood' in World of Warcraft might provide clues to the way a real world population would cope with the prospect of a global pandemic. In the study, to be published in The Lancet next month, Professor Lofgren of Rutgers University and Professor Fefferman of Tufts University, suggest that: 'If, God forbid, a disease broke out in London, you could see what would happen if people were told immediately of the risk. Would there be panic and chaos, or would it allow them to psychologically accept the danger and act accordingly? What would happen if we made people feel too reassured? These are all things that have a great impact on the number of people who would be affected. They are also things we just don't know, so [virtual games] could be of great value in helping us understand what their true emotional responses would be.'"
Stop medical experiment on night elves!
MMORPG IS a real world disease.
Procrastination -- because good things come to those who wait.
Don't Jump!!!! There are so many better options... I know a great shrink. ...
Awww Man... now I've got to call the cops, the coroner, and do you know how many forms I have to fill out?
I will not give in to the terrorists. I will not become fearful.
"a substantial subset of the population actually wants to get the disease, so people are actively seeking it out for themselves so they can spread it."
Such people are called bug chasers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug_chaser