I don't understand society's current obsession with zombies. I know the vampire thing is about addiction, i.e. vampires need blood like alcoholics need booze. Is the zombie thing the same? Or is the zombie thing commentary on America's mindless drive for more?

I think it's because most people hate each other and would love to have an excuse to kill each other. Plus zombie outbreak basically means laws and rules are thrown out and people dont like being told what to do.

Vampires resonate with a lot more than addiction, like feelings of isolation and not being able to relate to other people, and even verging into the superhero genre, because the individual has powers beyond that of mortal man.

In some ways, the zombie/apocalypse genre are almost the opposite of vampires, since it gives superpowers to everyone other than the individual. The common world, with all of the normal bullshit of life, is washed away in ashes, and the individual has to rise up out of it as a different version of themselves. It's a secular rebirth.

I think that the fascinating idea of being brought back from the dead captivates people.

Even after fifty million fucking movies about zombies over the past two years.

Posted by MutantMandias Vampires resonate with a lot more than addiction, like feelings of isolation and not being able to relate to other people, and even verging into the superhero genre, because the individual has powers beyond that of mortal man. In some ways, the zombie/apocalypse genre are almost the opposite of vampires, since it gives superpowers to everyone other than the individual. The common world, with all of the normal bullshit of life, is washed away in ashes, and the individual has to rise up out of it as a different version of themselves. It's a secular rebirth.

So, in your version the zombie is the hero? Why do they always get killed so much then? Is there zombie-centric literature or film where the zombie doesn't get re-killed?

No, I'm saying that the zombie is incidental. The story is about the regular people.

But, if you want to see the zombie as the hero, check out "Ahh! Zombies," which also has a different title that I can't remember right now.

Posted by MutantMandias No, I'm saying that the zombie is incidental. The story is about the regular people. But, if you want to see the zombie as the hero, check out "Ahh! Zombies," which also has a different title that I can't remember right now.

Ahh, Ok. So the life-death decision making qualities usually reserved for higher powers are giving to "normal" folks. Plus, we are usually faster than them and we have tools to defeat them. What's the net effect of this? Is it hope? Is that what the zombie movie does? Like a kind of cathartic release that says, "Hey, I may work in a soul-numbing job with no prospects, but I ain't as bad as the living dead."

Posted by G to the Race Like a kind of cathartic release that says, "Hey, I may work in a soul-numbing job with no prospects, but I ain't as bad as the living dead."

I don't really think that's how zombies are portrayed in modern movies.

I'm not so sure about the hope thing. It's the same as movies about human beings pitted against aliens: there's no reason to have hope that we can defeat them because it's never going to happen.

Posted by G to the Race Ahh, Ok. So the life-death decision making qualities usually reserved for higher powers are giving to "normal" folks. Plus, we are usually faster than them and we have tools to defeat them. What's the net effect of this? Is it hope? Is that what the zombie movie does? Like a kind of cathartic release that says, "Hey, I may work in a soul-numbing job with no prospects, but I ain't as bad as the living dead."

No, I was saying that the zombies really are meaningless for the most part. The crappy Revolution tv show is the same as what I'm talking about. Modern society gets washed away, and new rules apply. People have to/get the opportunity to reinvent themselves outside of the modern day to day bullshit. No more kissing up to your boss, no more mortgage, but different responsibilities and skills that are exciting and challenging.

Posted by MutantMandias No, I was saying that the zombies really are meaningless for the most part. The crappy Revolution tv show is the same as what I'm talking about. Modern society gets washed away, and new rules apply. People have to/get the opportunity to reinvent themselves outside of the modern day to day bullshit. No more kissing up to your boss, no more mortgage, but different responsibilities and skills that are exciting and challenging.

Ok. Now I'm getting there. It could be giant cats or whatever that breaks the society down, it doesn't matter. What matters is how we act in this "new normal."

This is going to sound strange, but a Zombie Apocalypse represents pure and unchained freedom to most. Freedom from work, from bills, from stress, from rules and most of all, from society itself.

I wonder if there's an element of the visceral in there, a loophole in taboo that lets one kill humanoids who don't matter and don't suffer? They fill a vacuum in a world where native populations and enemy combatants are sadly now considered people, too.

Q: What's worse than a zombie apocalypse?

A: Metawaffle.

Posted by jeepdave This is going to sound strange, but a Zombie Apocalypse represents pure and unchained freedom to most. Freedom from work, from bills, from stress, from rules and most of all, from society itself.

I'd say the possibility of getting feasted upon might be a tad stressful. But I see what you mean.

Posted by splumer I'd say the possibility of getting feasted upon might be a tad stressful. But I see what you mean.

Most people will take more danger in their life it means more freedom. More inconvenience if it means more freedom. That's why there are sooooo many people who can't wait for just about ANY apocalypse.

Posted by jeepdave Most people will take more danger in their life it means more freedom. More inconvenience if it means more freedom.

I think that you are sadly mistaken.

Posted by MutantMandias I think that you are sadly mistaken.

I dunno, the popularity of survival shows and survivalist shows has been on the rise. The popularity of Zombies has been going up. I have to wonder if it isn't connected, some deep down urge to NOT have to go to work today, or ever again. To survive off the land. To make the rules as you go along. To have a greater purpose in life than filing and faxing.

Posted by jeepdave I dunno, the popularity of survival shows and survivalist shows has been on the rise. The popularity of Zombies has been going up. I have to wonder if it isn't connected, some deep down urge to NOT have to go to work today, or ever again. To survive off the land. To make the rules as you go along. To have a greater purpose in life than filing and faxing.

Of course it is connected. Absolutely 100% connected to some deep down urge to NOT have to go to work today.

But, when push comes to shove, the vast majority of people would choose convenience over freedom. They might try not to think about it, but its easier not to think about it while watching TV on a comfy couch, wrapped in a Snuggy and eating ice cream.

Posted by MutantMandias Of course it is connected. Absolutely 100% connected to some deep down urge to NOT have to go to work today. But, when push comes to shove, the vast majority of people would choose convenience over freedom. They might try not to think about it, but its easier not to think about it while watching TV on a comfy couch, wrapped in a Snuggy and eating ice cream.

I think a part of the allure of an apocalyptic event is also to shake people out of their comfy existence. Shit has hit the Fan, no TV to watch. NO couch. That Sunggy is now your only, dirty, smelly blanket and the Ice Cream has turned.

I'm guessing that you never bothered reading my earlier comments where I said everything that you are now saying, but much more succinctly and eloquently.