On the Zombie Apocalypse

Like most people I am sick to death (hah) of hearing about the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. The idea that the dead will rise from their graves and bring about the end of humanity is not original, or even that interesting. Zombies on their own merits, are not interesting, they are merely obstacles in the way of the protagonists of their stories and provide simple conflict for bad stories.

 I am not interested in the history of Zombies or whatever nonsense. I AM however interested in the cultural significance of Zombie Apocalypse imagery.  The timing of the resurgence of popularity of zombie fiction is important. The United States is in the largest economic crisis of the last 50 years. Many people, formerly wealthy have slid into poverty and others the formerly large middle class has begun to shrink rapidly. People are afraid for the future, especially those young people like myself who are currently in college. The thought that each of us will not be able to secure jobs upon graduating is terrifying to much of my generation.

The economy is arguably more scary than any zombie story produced in the recent glut of zombie entertainment. However, like I said before it’s not the zombies that are important to the genre, they are merely a foil for the human characters struggles.

Now what makes the idea of a societal collapse so alluring for some people ? It is the fact that the economy no longer matters. All the anxiety and generational ennui about the economic situation is replaced with thoughts of only survival. Bloodthirsty and brain-hungry zombies can be killed, fixing economic destruction is not such a simple procedure. 

Even the biggest loser thinks that when presented with a life or death situation, they will “rise to the occasion” and show their full potential. The smelliest, basement dwelling, WOW addicted shut-in thinks that he will become a chiseled, Bruce Campbell-esque badass once society collapses.  This is not the case.

The thought of a dissolution of societal pressures, is one that appeals to many. Who wants to pay taxes, or go to work, the worry about international issues ? Given the option, no one. Apocalyptic scenarios provide people with examples of this “new world”, one where survival trumps all morality and issues rather than the walking dead can be ignored.  

I personally do not think the world is ending any time soon. That means we have to recognize our problems, work through them and for the love of GOD shut up about the fucking zombies.