5 Laws of Zombie Migration

Ravenstein’s Laws

Nearly 130 years ago, cartographer and exercise-guru Ernst Ravenstein, introduced the world to his original laws of human migration. The original laws that he wrote have somewhat stood the test of time and provide some foundation for our modern theories of migration. Ravenstein and others continued to work on the laws and the following is a basic idea of the laws still around.

every migration flow generates a return or counter-migration.
the majority of migrants move a short distance.
migrants who move longer distances tend to choose big-city destinations.
urban residents are often less migratory than inhabitants of rural areas.
families are less likely to make international moves than young adults.
most migrants are adults.
large towns grow by migration rather than natural increase.

5 Laws of Zombie Migration

Migration will play a large role in surviving the zombie apocalypse. It is not only important to know where people will move, but maybe more important to know where zombies move and why. It could be possible to disrupt zombie migration patterns to keep them away from new settlements. This is why I propose these rules. Just as Ravenstein’s have been amended, I suggest readers provide feedback on these laws.

Law 1 – every zombie migration flow generates a return or counter-migration of survivors.

For all large flows of zombies to a new area, there will be a counter-movement of survivors fleeing that area. The ratio of zombie migration to counter-movement of survivors may change over time.

Law 2 – the majority of zombies move a short distance.

While some zombies can go on an epic journey, most will prefer to move short distances whenever possible.

Law 3 – zombies who move longer distances tend to choose big-city destinations.

If a zombie does move a long distance, they will probably not stop moving until they come across a large city with opportunity to find survivors.

Law 4 – urban zombies are often less migratory than zombies of rural areas.

Urban zombies will not move as far as rural zombies. Rural zombies require greater distance to find survivors given the lower population density. As the zombie apocalypse continues, the survivor population density becomes even lower, causing rural zombies to seek areas of higher population density (suburban and urban areas). Conversely, urban zombies are longer satisfied in the higher population density.

Law 5 – large towns draw lots of zombies.

Building from our previous laws, it is safe to predict that large towns will attract most zombies. Cities have higher populations of zombies who are willing to stay in that area and rural zombies are more likely to move to those cities.

Conclusion

We see from these laws that cities are hot destinations for zombies. However, once a city is completely zombified we will probably have to examine zombie migration under more useful tool such as Lee’s push and pull factors. For example, Human over-population is a factor that will push people to move elsewhere. Similarly, an over-population of zombies and an under-population of living humans will lead to a zombie push factor, encouraging zombie migration to another area.

What do you think? What makes zombies move?

Want to see standards?

School ended yesterday! I told myself I could take a weekend off before I started full-time work on the Zombie-Based Geography curriculum. However, I was too excited to put off working any longer. All of the standards are outlined, fit into the narrative, and ready for projects to be designed. My next step will probably be to plan out all of the lessons for each project. So far it has been going really well.

Below I’m posting the 18 Geography standards that are worked into the ZBL curriculum. Each of those standards have multiple bullet points of elements that make up the standard. Each of those elements are addressed in ZBL, making it a very rich and standards based program. It doesn’t just touch on each of the standards, it goes into all 75 elements of the 18 different standards. Below are all 75 elements, grouped by standard. I am holding off on showing you how I tie each of the 75 elements into the narrative (but they are all planned). I will show you the web that places all of the standards and elements into the framework:

Web of Geography Standards

National Geography Standard

1) The World in Spatial Terms
How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective (all used throughout the unit)

1A) Recognize characteristics and applications of maps, globes, aerial and other images.

1B) Make and use different globes, graphs, charts, databases, and models.

1C) Evaluate when to use certain maps or other tools and technology to solve geographic problems

1D) Use tools and technology to ask and answer questions about spatial distribution and patterns on earth

2) Mental Maps
How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context.

2A) Identify important physical and human features on maps

2B) Draw mental maps and compare to atlases for accuracy

2C) Draw mental map for a purpose

2D) Analyze individual’s interpretations and attitudes toward places through their mental maps

3) Spatial information on EarthHow to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth’s surface

3A) Analyze and explain physical and human distribution

3B) Analyze and explain patterns of land use patterns such as distance, accessibility, and connections

3C) Explain how places are connected and their interdependence and accessibility

3D) Describe patterns of migration and diffusion

4) Places and Regions
The physical and human characteristics of places

4A) Analyze the physical characteristics of a place (p.150)

4B) Analyze the human characteristics of places (p. 150)

4C) Identify and analyze how technology shapes human characteristics of places (p. 151)

5) Creating Regions
People create regions to interpret Earth’s complexity (pp. 152-153)

5A) Identify the criteria used to define a region

5B) Identify types of regions

5C) Explain how regions change over space and time

5D) Explain how regions are connected

5E) Evaluate the influences and effects of regional labels and images

6) Cultural Influence on Regions
How culture and experience influence people’s perception of places and regions

6A) Evaluate the characteristics of places and regions from a variety of points of view

6B) Explain how technology affects the ways in which culture groups perceive and use places and regions

6C) Identify ways culture influences people’s perceptions of places and regions

6D) Illustrate and explain how places and regions serve as cultural symbols

7) Physical Systems
The physical processes that shape the patterns of the Earth’s surface

7A) Use physical processes to explain patterns in the physical environment

7B) Analyze physical patterns in terms of processes that created them

7C) Explain how Earth-Sun relationships affect Earth’s physical processes and create physical patterns

7D) Describe the processes that produce renewable and nonrenewable resources

7E) Predict the consequences of a specific physical process operating on Earth’s surface

8) Physical Systems and Ecosystems
The characteristics and spatial distributions of ecosystems on Earth’s surface

8A) Explain the distribution of ecosystems from local to global scales

8B) Explain the functions and dynamics of ecosystems

8C) Explain how physical processes influence ecosystems

8D) Explain how human processes contribute to changes in ecosystems

9) Human Systems – Migration, Population
The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface

9A) Describe the structure of different populations through the use of key demographic concepts

9B) Analyze the population characteristics of places to explain population patterns

9C) Explain migration streams over time

9D) Describe ways in which human migration influences the character of a place

10) Human Systems – Culture
The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaics

10A) Identify ways in which communities reflect the cultural background of their inhabitants

10B) Identify and describe the distinctive cultural landscapes associated with migrant populations

10C) Describe and explain the significances of patterns of cultural diffusion in the creation of Earth’s varied cultural mosaic

11) Human Systems – Pattens of Economics
The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth’s surface

11A) List and define the major terms used to describe economic activity in a geographic context

11B) Explain the spatial aspects of systems designed to deliver goods and services

11C) Analyze and evaluate issues related to the spatial distribution of economic activities

11D) Identify and explain the primary geographic causes for world trade

11E) Analyze historical and contemporary economic trade networks

11F) Identify and explain the factors influencing industrial location in the United States

11G) Compare and evaluate the roles of historical and contemporary systems of transportation and communication in the development of economic activities

12) Human Systems – Settlement
The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement

12A) Identify and describe settlement patterns

12B) Identify factors involved in the development of cities

12C) Analyze the ways in which both the landscape and society would change as a consequence of shifting from a dispersed to a concentrated settlement form

12D) Explain the causes and consequences of urbanization

12E) Identify and define the internal spatial structures of cities

13) Human Systems – Cooperation and Conflict
How the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth’s surface

13A) Identify and explain reasons for the different spatial divisions in which the student lives

13B)Explain why people cooperate but also engage in conflict to control Earth’s surface

13C)Describe the factors that affect the cohesiveness and integration of countries

13D) Analyze the divisions on Earth’s surface at different scales (local to global)

14) Environment and Society – Human Actions
How human actions modify the physical environment

14A) Analyze the environmental consequences of humans changing the physical environment

14B) Identify and explain the ways in which human-induced changes in the physical environment in one place can cause changes in other places

14C) Evaluate the ways in which technology influences human capacity to modify the physical environment

15) Environment and Society – Physical Systems
How physical systems affect human systems

15A) Analyze ways in which human systems develop in response to conditions in the physical environment

15B) Explain how the characteristics of different physical environments affect human activities

15C) Describe the effects of natural hazards on human systems

16) Environment and Society – Resources
The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources

16A) Describe and analyze world patterns of resource distribution and utilization

16B) Describe the consequences of the use of resources in the contemporary world

16C) Evaluate different viewpoints regarding resource use

16D) Identify the role of technology in resource acquisition and use

16E) Identify and develop plans for the management and use of renewable, nonrenewable, and flow resources

16F) Explain the critical importance of energy resources to the development of human societies

17) The Uses of Geography – Past
How to apply geography to interpret the past

17A) Describe the ways in which the spatial organization of society changes over time

17B) Assess the roles that spatial and environmental perceptions played in the past

17C) Analyze the effects of physical and human geographic factors on major historic events

17D) List and describe significant physical features that have influence historical events

18) The Uses of Geography – Present and Future
How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future

18A) Analyze the interaction between physical and human systems to understand possible causes and effects of current conditions on Earth and to speculate on future conditions

18B) Integrate multiple points of view to analyze and evaluate contemporary geographic issues

18C) Demonstrate an understanding of spatial organization of human activities and physical systems and be able to make informed decisions

Archives: geography

Zombie Apocalypse vs Population Density