Why werewolves, as presented in the movies/books, etc. couldn't exist:

[raccoon]

A living organism as complex as a human being couldn't change that quickly. The moth takes months to metamorphose into a butterfly. Same with tadpoles to frogs.

In popular fiction, humans change into werewolves in--at the most--minutes.

It would take weeks for the hair to grow, months for the claws and teeth.

Your thoughts?

[mainegreen]

1. Moonlight isn't magical, so more than likely, it's a combination of temperature and light level...

that sets off the transformation.

So people would be 'transforming' whenever they opened the fridge at night, or go into bars, etc.

[realisticphish]

2. i'm sure

that someone could make a big stretch with something about increased metabolism or some such. But honestly, if someone is seriously making a scientific argument for WEREWOLVES, i doubt they're going to be that rigorous

[Botany]

3. W.W.s are real

[DBoon]

4. There were wolves to begin with

the human appearance was a fraudulent mask

They already had the hair and the teeth - we just didn't see it

You don't become a werewolf - you were one all along

You just suddenly lose the superficial mask of humanity and reveal your underlying wolf nature

[kickysnana]

5. Obviously this researcher has not watched my sisters transform.

One following Easter dinner during a conversation about getting the best deal on cable, internet and phone for my elderly Dad or the other very petite one two days later who threw her printer across the room and into the wall above of my 19 year old nephew that was sleeping on the couch. (I actually looked to see if there was a full moon either day.)

:shrug:

[Ready4Change]

6. I agree.

Ask anyone in the movie business. It takes HOURS to apply all that makeup.

However, I think there WERE werewolves, back in the simpler golden days of the 1950's. Back then you only had to put on a rubber mask and some hairy gloves.

:)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. Oh, please.

Next you'll be telling me all those vampire documentaries I've been watching are faked.

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. In the urban fantasy stories I've been kicking around in my head...

I have a story outline that involves a werewolf, but the change is mental and spiritual rather than physical, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" rather than Lon Cheney. In effect, it is a magically induced PCP high that removes inhibitions, helps with focus and allows the practitioner to perform feats of great strength and endurance while making them immune to pain or fear.

There are two problems with "releasing the beast," however. First, the transformation allows one to shed negative feelings and insecurities like a ratty old coat, and even well adjusted humans carry around a lot of negative feelings and insecurity. Brain activity in the cortex is slightly suppressed, with a corresponding higher activity in the more primitive areas of the brain, particularly the pleasure centers and the limbic system, which regulates emotions. In short, the transformation is very addictive on both a physical and a psychological level.

Second, the beast never quite goes back into the cage. Each transformation takes the practitioner further into his bestial nature, and each return restores less humanity. Gradually, the beast becomes dominant and the person becomes psychotic. In fact, many cases of extreme psychosis are the result of were magic.

I agree about the physical transformation, but I think a magical -- or maybe it is just chemical after all? -- transformation of the mind and personality fits perfectly with much of the real life (sic) lore on werewolves.