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Zombies; whats the attraction?
I'm 21, and it may just be my generation, but I have noticed that there is a large emphasis on zombies in the imagination of men/boys.
I heard a friend suggest that they are the new aliens.
But in either case I don't understand what the attraction/fascination is.
Especially when they 'zombify' poster girls to make her look she has been decaying for a few years; makes me ill.
I also have some acquaintances who have a 'zombie survival plan' down to the last detail prepared.
Why do people invest so much energy into such a peculiar idea?
What is the attraction?
I'm mystified; if someone could provide some answers beyond "they are cool" I would greatly appreciate it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Saxon on -
Many interesting takes on why precisely zombies are the fantasy figures of choice for many.
But another interesting question is why so many focus on fantasy figures and fantasy problems, often intead of facing real problems. I think this is simply because that is the difference between men and boys: Men take responsibility and face real problems, whereas boys withdraw to "training arenas" and fantasy problems.
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Permalink Reply by Jack Bauer on -
Come on. Is anyone actually "withdrawing" to face a zombie apocalypse? Its entertainment. Nothing more. Lots of men -- even real men who face real problems and take real responsibility -- enjoy it. No harm, no foul.
This strikes me as false self-superiority over entertainment choices.
JB
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Permalink Reply by Saxon on
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Hi Jack, you might be right about the false self-superiority. But let me still try to come across: A bit of entertainment is good for both boys and for men of all ages. Zombies and Star Wars included. The difference comes when you look at the place entertainment takes in our lives. Boys look for entertainment, as they should. It is part of growing up. They fly toy planes and fantasize about killing the Red Baron. But could you see your father flying a toy plane fantasizing about killing the Red Baron. All by himself and not as a part of playing with his kids or grandkids?
That is generally a good rule of thumb for a man: try to envision your father or your grandfather doing what you are contemplating. Does it ring wrong? Does it seem far more natural to envision the neighbour's 15-year old doing it? If it does, then I suggest looking at the activity more carefully, for chances are it's a boys activity, a non-grown-up activity.
Could I see my father watch a zombie movie? Sure! But could I see him obsessing over the zombie apocalypse at the dinner table? Ehm, no. If anyone at the table starts with such obsessions, you'll find him heading for the garage after dinner to do something useful instead. What would your father do?
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Permalink Reply by Claude on -
Yeah. Obsessing over anything is bad. You're really not supporting your original argument that an interest in zombies means you don't face real problems. Chess isn't a real problem. Its a fantasy war. Look up the great generals of history and see how many played chess.
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Permalink Reply by Loki on
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I've always loved zombies, zombie movies/books/comics etc.
Now that they're mainstream there's some decent zombie games, BETTER movies etc.
you don't have to get it.. I have a friend that hates zombie flicks etc. but whatever he knows I enjoy em.
My question is why's it bother you? You don't HAVE to like zombies just because 'they're the cool thing'.
the whole 'zombie survival thing' I've read a bit about it. It's kind of just a fun hypothetical way to plan for anything.. If you're prepared for the end of the world what can scare you? Example having a 'bug out bag' ready for 'zombies' well.. that works for natural disasters/social unrest etc.
getting into shape to out run 'zombies' well we can all agree getting into shape is just beneficial in and of itself.
and so on.
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Permalink Reply by Romeo Benetti on -
The original Dawn of the Dead was a witty critique of consumer culture. The zombies return to the place they used to aimlessly wander around in when alive - The Mall - and then they....wander around aimlessly, brain dead.
America, therefore the Western World, is zombiefying, with it's soulless malls and dead consumer culture, disconnected to the living breathing world. We are fascinated by/fear the zombies because they are us, only one step further down the consumerist evolutionary dead end of capitalist culture.
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Permalink Reply by Saxon on
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Not a bad analysis. Zombie = Consumerist culture.
We'll discuss the capitalism part in some other forum, no doubt.
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Permalink Reply by Subgenius on -
Zombies are popular at the moment because they are "humans" which can readily be shot to pieces in great numbers on TV. This appeals to some people, sad to say.
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