I was talking microbiome science the other day with an industry expert. One of his interest-areas involves what aspects of our personalities, needs, desires are potentially controlled by microbiomes. As part of this investigation he told me about a 2007 study identifying a parasite that “brainwashes” mice to crave cat urine. This would seem to be disadvantageous to the mice. Why would this parasite seek the death (and consumption of its host)? Because the parasite can only reproduce in feline guts!

Further investigation of the phenomena displayed “surgical precision” in how the parasite altered the mice behavior while *not* impacting any other aspect of its senses. How devious and incredible!

I’m sure I could connect this fact to some observation about startups or competitive strategies or whatever, but nah.