Zombies are all the rage right now. Whether watching Walking Dead or racing in a local Zombie Run, there is nothing like the Living Dead to get your adrenaline pumping. The question that no one seems to be asking is "What is the appeal of a Zombie Apocalypse?" After all, can we imagine any more horrible situation to be in than a world overrun by the walking corpses of our friends and families, whose only desire is to devour us alive.
To me, the answer is in that perverse tendency in human nature to push the envelope. Throughout time, the human race has sought the danger and excitement of new frontiers. We explored new continents, reaching into every remote corner and climbing to the top of every mountain. We plumbed the depths of the oceans and conquered flight. And when there were no frontiers available on this planet, we turned our gaze to the stars.
The only problem was that this "final frontier" was only open to a privileged few. For those born with an adventurous heart, there was no more promise of exploration or adventure- only the monotony of everyday life. And so those with an explorer's spirit must live vicariously through the lives of fictitious adventurers like James T. Kirk and Amelia Pond.
Yet no other adventure challenges the mettle of an individual than a zombie apocalypse. We sit, comfortably secure on our own couches, and imagine how we would respond to the end of the world. Would the horrors of that reality reduce us to a trembling blob of zombie jello? Or is there, at the very core of our being, a seed of greatness that only needs the field of adversity to germinate and grow?
Yes, a zombie apocalypse is possibly the worst thing that could ever happen. But in contemplating its possibility, we cannot help but take a long, hard look at ourselves and wonder what that inner person is really like. In the most horrific of circumstances, our true self comes to light- no longer shackled by the niceties of civilized society. Deep inside us, is there a villain or a hero? A victim or a leader?
It may be that the appeal of a zombie apocalypse is in the fact that it causes us to look into the depths of our own souls and ask the really hard questions.
Or it could just be that we love a good fright. After all, what is there not to love about a walking corpse that wants to eat your face?!
A zombie apocalypse has become, as you said, very popular and I agree that the appeal may be in our natural proclivity to face unfathomable odds and still come out on top. Like you said, we love a good fight! Definitely something to think about!
ReplyDeleteI think we can use some sort of apocalypse to just start things over...not mention it would be exciting!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea a lot. I think you brought an important truth to the forefront: behind everything, good or bad, highbrow or lowbrow, is something deeper and then something even deeper and deeper.
ReplyDeleteWe are like the layers of an onion; peel back one layer and you reveal another layer.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI saw your link on LinkedIn, and I am so ready for a zombie apocalypse (well maybe mentally ready, I haven't actually stocked up on anything), But it would definitely change people...you know who'd do anything for survival...anyway, nicely written post and I hope you have a chance to stop by my site. We are doing reviews for each on alexa, to help boost our website rankings if you're interested in that.