Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control by Mindy Weisberger with Paula Croxson

Join Science writer Mindy Weisberger as she discusses her new book Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control with Neuroscientist Paula Croxson.

This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the First Floor.

Zombies aren't just the stuff of nightmares. Explore the fascinating world of real-life insect zombification.

Zombies are all around us—insect zombies, that is. In Rise of the Zombie Bugs, Mindy Weisberger explores the eerie yet fascinating phenomenon of real-life zombification in the insect class and among other invertebrates. Zombifying parasites reproduce by rewriting their victims' neurochemistry, transforming them into the "walking dead": armies of cicadas, spiders, and other hosts that helplessly follow a zombifier's commands, living only to serve the parasite's needs until death's sweet release (and often beyond).

Through vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling, Weisberger explains the sinister mechanics of nature's most cunning survival strategies, including the biological marvels and evolutionary intricacies behind zombie ants, mind-controlled beetles, and the fungi and viruses that reprogram their hosts' behavior. Blending scientific rigor with a flair for the macabre, Weisberger takes readers on a global journey—from Brazilian rainforests to European meadows—to uncover the dark secrets of parasitic manipulation.

Her examination of these creatures seeks to answer fundamental questions of their existence: why is a bug's world full of zombies, why are arthropods so susceptible to this zombification, and could the creators of zombie bugs ever evolve to do the same to people? Perfect for fans of horror and science alike, Rise of the Zombie Bugs offers a chilling yet enlightening look at the hidden world of parasites. It's a must-read for anyone curious about the true terrors lurking in nature's undergrowth and the unnerving beauty of evolution's darker side.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and the author of Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control. She is a science editor at Scholastic, and has written about science for CNN, Scientific American, Live Science and Space.com. Weisberger has scripted and directed videos for the American Museum of Natural History, and she co-hosted the science podcast Life’s Little Mysteries. Media appearances include NPR's Science Friday and Cheddar's Morning Bell. She lives on a cliff in New Jersey with her husband, two cats, and too many ukuleles.

Paula Croxson is a neuroscientist, award-winning science communicator and storyteller. She is President at Stellate Communications and a Senior Producer for The Story Collider. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has appeared on numerous podcasts, science events and storytelling shows. She plays the flute in two rock bands and has swum around Manhattan.

GET THE BOOK

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog

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ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email connorgoodwin@nypl.org.
 

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All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All programs are subject to recording and photography.

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).