Physiology and Biophysics, Department of

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://digital.lib.washington.edu/handle/1773/46658

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type: Item ,
    On the Transformation of Humans into Vampires in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Viral Disease Model
    (Slayage: The International Journal of Buffy, 2022-06) Freedland, Julian; Young, Kelvin
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) and its companion series Angel (1999-2004) are fictional American television shows featuring humans, vampires, and the complex interactions between them. Vampires contrast strongly from humans via their significant physical advantage and tendency to act without guilt or remorse, yet vampires retain many deeply human qualities (Magnusson, 2011; Geller 2011). This dichotomy—between the human and nonhuman parts of vampires—is frequently referenced and explored throughout both series (Angel, “Hero” 1.9; BtVS, “Who Are You?” 4.16). Yet what precisely distinguishes a vampire from a human, and can we sufficiently describe such differences through a scientific lens? As an avenue for analysis, we can closely interrogate special cases within the Buffyverse known as siring. Siring occurs when a human is transformed into a vampire, a process which must take place over the course of several hours or more. Closely addressing variations that occur between a human and their vampiric form highlights specific changes to human physiology and behavior, enabling us to better understand vampires across Buffy and other fictional works.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type: Item ,
    Vampire Slaying in Buffy the Vampire Slayer May Result from Disrupted Ion Signaling
    (2020-10) Freedland, Julian
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer (“BtVS”) was an American television show featuring 144 episodes that premiered between 1997- 2003. Early into its seven-season run, it gained a strong cult following and defined itself as an important part of American popular culture (Gross and Altman, 2017; Schwab). It continues to be critically analyzed by academics across a multitude of disciplines such as philosophy (South, 2003) and religion (Mills et al., 2013). Few studies have attempted to view the show from a quantitative perspective (see: ecological stability of vampires [Thomas, n.d.]; gendered biting patterns [Shapiro, 2008]). Here, we use a quantitative approach to connect observational measurements from BtVS to physiological studies. We then build a scientific model for vampire slaying, which we explore to make predictions about novel slayage techniques. This investigation aims to both deepen the lore of the Buffyverse and provide the basis for more robust analyses of BtVS.