Fool Me Once, Fool Me Twice, Fool Me Thrice Understanding how the natural world works has advanced the human condition. These advancements have brought many diseases to their knees. For example, smallpox, a virus with a mortality rate near 30%, has inflicted pain on those who knew it since the 6 th century (WHO). People where so afraid to die from smallpox, that in the 1700’s people lined up and inhale scabs from infected persons. This process was called variolation and caused a less virulent infection with a lower mortality rate of 1%, while creating immunity to smallpox (CDC). Interestingly enough, people would line up with their children to take a guaranteed 1:100 gamble of death to avoid the 30% mortality rate of smallpox. Turbulent times like these have historically changed human behavior for better and for worse. Here I am going to dive into three other plagues, including the plague in Thebes, Athens,...