An Alarming Level of Intelligence

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Saul described the creatures in the 1st chapter. The eyes and teenage body acne times 10 seems to be what he saw. No decay, just mutated flesh.
That's my theory: Mutants like the Morlocks.

[VeritableHero]

OP: Good points raised. The thoughts about targeting the strongest threats first and reacting to the arena infiltration are intriguing. I also forgot Skittle's comments about libraries / hospitals. I’d hate to be near MIT or an Ivy League school when the outbreak occurs.

Not many people can add to your observations because they are very well structured and pull in a lot of points. Sounds like you’d make a smart zombie, too.

My thoughts:
I don't see them as getting smarter. The greater display of intelligence could just be the “strongest survive� theory at work. The dumber ones are more likely to be shot, not find food and not follow “orders� so they would die off first. This would leave only the more clever ones to cause problems for survivors. Looks like the group is getting smarter but only because there aren’t as many dumb ones around… they’ve been eaten.

Evolution of intelligence could only progress so far before it would become a different story altogether. We can’t have them becoming too smart, because coupled with increased strength and lack of inhibitors would make them too overpowered for the survivors to deal with IMO.

“Mutants like the morlocks� is a good thought, but I don’t think there is enough population to sustain it from either side.

Side point: I like the term “flesh biters� that they were calling them at some point.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Hero,
The population is huge! Remember how far south Mike and company are and think of "The Wave" that came rolling their way. Think of the 3 attacks on the tower (i'm counting the sweat trial in there) an how many popped up those time.
I brought up the Morlocks because they're smart enough to create traps and not give in to their base instincts when prey falls into them.
The behemoth chasing Angel and Kalani has "learned" to cover it's face and head from gunfire. Cause and Effect are great learning tools. LOL

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

How about this:
I think they "Share" a certain level of intellect within a given distance. They have a hive mentality with Ink as the leader.
The "Brains" act as an anchor for the other creatures.
When you find one or two on their own, they're clearly just acting on instincts.
The number of creatures in one given area increases the chances they react with more reasoning.

[Ra1th]

How about this:
I think they "Share" a certain level of intellect within a given distance. They have a hive mentality with Ink as the leader.
The "Brains" act as an anchor for the other creatures.
When you find one or two on their own, they're clearly just acting on instincts.
The number of creatures in one given area increases the chances they react with more reasoning.

but see if that was the case, what is the purpose of the roar they do? cause it seems that the zombie call is what attracts others

[nikvoodoo]

How about this:
I think they "Share" a certain level of intellect within a given distance. They have a hive mentality with Ink as the leader.
The "Brains" act as an anchor for the other creatures.
When you find one or two on their own, they're clearly just acting on instincts.
The number of creatures in one given area increases the chances they react with more reasoning.

I adore the idea of a hive mind! Maybe it's just among the Smart Ones, and the biters need the roar to follow directions.....

I mean, its a far reaching idea, but nothing more out of the ordinary than some of my theories (See: Datu=Traitor). Imagine how hard it would be to defend against a mobilized army of zombies in multiple locations, controlled by a series of smart ones who are all sharing experiences real time through a hive collective....

"We are the Zombies. Resistance is futile."

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Nik..
That would be sick! The creatures work like Ants or Bees. You have workers, the soldiers, the "King", slaves and a Hive (The arena).
The Brains (as Skittles calls them) are the anchors for the soldiers and workers.

[Teethingbiscuit]

Hive mentality has merit, though as an amateur myrmycologist (ant scientist... eh, observer) it is pretty clear that the queen ant has no real power. She is a tool, a reproductive tool. Decisions, the major decisions, in a colony are decided by the whole, through chemicals, weather, and/or unseen variables that I don't fully understand.
Teeth

[Ra1th]

Hive mentality has merit, though as an amateur myrmycologist (ant scientist... eh, observer) it is pretty clear that the queen ant has no real power. She is a tool, a reproductive tool. Decisions, the major decisions, in a colony are decided by the whole, through chemicals, weather, and/or unseen variables that I don't fully understand.
Teeth

wow ur like an actual scientist? wow u'll finally put down some long standing arguments on what is and isnt scientifically possible.

and imo, i dont see any evidence of there being a hive mind, there cant be a hive mind between the normals and the smart one's because they have to call out doing the whole zombie roar thing, and we've never actually seen smart ones working together with other smart ones, usually the smart one's work alone (like with burt) i think the only one who was actually commanding other zombies as soldiers (that we've seen happen) is Ink, but i could be wrong

[nikvoodoo]

I agree with you, Ra1th (go figure). I would need to see some really specific hard evidence to convince me of the hive mindset.

But like I said, I just love the idea of it! And just imagine if it was world wide just how much information would be contained. There would be no safe spot to hide because somewhere in the world, someone else would have tried it and the hive mind would know.