Why is popular culture so obsessed with the zombie apocalypse?
The reason for this popularity may trace back to an unexpected source, according to a new analysis: In fact, zombies may be helping us cope with the aftermath of World War II.
“We use fictional narratives not only to emotionally cope with the possibility of impending doom, but even more importantly perhaps to work through the ethical and philosophical frameworks that were in many ways left shattered in the wake of WWII,” Stanford literary scholar Angela Becerra Vidergar said in a statement.
Vidergar, a doctoral student in comparative literature, analyzed mass disaster stories in pop culture for her dissertation. She found that mass disasters such as the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki opened up new realizations about the human capacity for violence, casting doubt about the upsides of modernized society.
“Instead,” Vidergar said, “we are left with this cultural fixation on fictionalizing our own death, very specifically mass-scale destruction.”
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For slow zombies I think I will stick with a .22lr rifle and a high building. A 1000 rounds of .22 is about 7-8 lbs and no recoil. Remember to bring some refreshments though.
sharrukin on February 21, 2013 at 9:45 PM
Just sayin’ the traditional massive trauma to the noggin’ is the way to deal with your zombie menace, on the retail level….
If you have several hundred, sure go for the 6cm or 12 cm mortar to blast’em apart, and THEN follow-up with petrol to deal with the (relatively)immobile remains.
JFKY on February 21, 2013 at 9:47 PM
Yes. Ever notice that the tend not to gather in areas of low unemployment?
OldEnglish on February 21, 2013 at 9:52 PM
Zombies represent creature that look like us, but are not, and offer a horrific outcome for our naivete and trust. All you can do is kill ‘em.
On either side, it’s a view of the political Babel of our times. We think it’s perfect to describe the mindless “libtards”. They think it describes we troglodyte cons.
As such it shows a growing universal doubt in liberal talk and that liberals lie about their capacity for violence. And perhaps a growing conviction that the Gods of the Copybook Headings aren’t so far away.
Axeman on February 21, 2013 at 9:55 PM
Wishful thinking? One massive reboot.
Hog Wild on February 21, 2013 at 9:55 PM
Why do we like zombies? There’s no guilt in killing them. It’s that simple. They are an abomination, therefore mercy is no longer an option (unless you subscribe to the Warm Bodies’ version of zombification).
nobar on February 21, 2013 at 9:57 PM
We could lure them in with Drum Circles at Zucotti Park is what you’re saying?
JFKY on February 21, 2013 at 9:59 PM
Only needs a twitterfeed, and they’ll bring their own drums – but no toilet paper.
OldEnglish on February 21, 2013 at 10:03 PM
You’ve got this thing down…and then the napalm strike, I presume?
JFKY on February 21, 2013 at 10:05 PM
No – too quick. Acid, I think.
OldEnglish on February 21, 2013 at 10:14 PM
It’s about the only socially acceptable way to express our hidden desires for a total reboot of our culture from the ground up, especially in terms of shooting the welfare class, that won’t put you on a federal watchlist or get you picketed.
MelonCollie on February 22, 2013 at 9:02 AM
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