this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2025
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[–] IAmNorRealTakeYourMeds@lemmy.world 22 points 3 days ago (1 children)

yes, it's harmless to most people, so much so that you might be infected without even knowing. it's only dangerous to immunocompromised people, especially foetuses.

the "change in human behaviour" is more iffy, we know it changes rats behaviours, but it's hard to measure that in humans.

check the wiki though

[–] yermaw@sh.itjust.works 17 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ive been told that cats meows have evolved to sound enough like a fussing baby to trigger our maternal instincts.

No idea how true it is, but it feels true.

that is just neoteny in general.

most domestication involved selecting animals who stay in their childlike state, ie an adult dog is mentally a puppy.

and there is the concept that we have done that to ourselves, natural selection chose less aggressive childlike humans because they make better societies.