Well, it strikes me as obvious to write about this, but I haven't yet, so here it is. I'd like to briefly discuss why it is that I love zombies so much. I don't really know where this passion came from, but I seemed to find one day that I was intrigued quite often whenever their mention came up. When I think about it, there are a few things that I like about them. First is the actual make-up of the zombie, then the concepts surrounding their existence, and finally the paradox. I'll elaborate as best I can.
First is the actual zombies themselves. For some reason I feel they truly are a monster in every sense of the word. They are unfeeling, unthinking, moving creatures of destruction and death. There is no way to reason with a zombie, and the fact that it looks like a messed up person makes it terrifying. You don't need scales, or a tail, or even claws and fangs to be scary... you need blood, rot, flesh wounds, and the fact that they don't stop it from coming. It is always part of a larger group, which makes them seem unavoidable, and they are difficult enough to take down, let alone the hundreds one can expect to encounter. They are the remenants of the dead, and of their own victims, and as such, there is a never ending supply. Their bite is always fatal.
I have never been someone who is a zombie "purist", and can't always understand why anyone would be. What I mean by this is that I am not someone who will say "that doesn't count as a zombie" when someone takes the concept in a new direction. I may have preferences as to what makes my favourite kind (see Dawn of the Dead remake) might be, but certain new ideas don't make me turn away in disgust. Marvel zombies have moments of clarity between meals, some zombies have thoughts though they can't talk. Some only eat brains, others the flesh of the living. Some eat animals, some don't. Some learn and adapt, some don't. Some mimic actions of their old lives, others shamble and eat. It doesn't matter really, and I applaud anyone suggesting a new spin on a beloved classic. I'm like that with many beloved classic things in life.
The second thing I like is the idea behind what the world would be like. The constant struggle for survival, the improvisation in dangerous situations, the need for teamwork, trust, planning, etc. What is so interesting is the ethics! I have always been a fan of ethics that really don't apply given the examples they use to be discussed. I loved "I, Robot" for the ethics around robots and their understanding or rights. I love zombies and the way survival changes, or ethics in any circumstance changes. Forget funerals and burials, you gotta shoot them in the head. Mass burning to kill the virus or whatever. Someone is bitten; wait til the turn, or put them out of their misery? What matters when society collapses? It is all interesting to consider, and fairly safe considering it most likely will never be an issue. Even thoughts of what kinds of weapons work best, when limited to every day items? All fascinating to consider and discuss.
The last aspect that I don't even understand is the fear. I love zombies, but only to think about or escape from. I would never have a poster of a zombie, because in my opinion, zombies are meant to be observed for no more than 5 seconds at one time, before you kill it or escape. They aren't beautiful, they are hideous. I say I like them, but I would never suggest they are "good" or that I would be excited if they were around. To be honest, they are the scariest monster I know. More than vampires, more than werewolves. Once a zombie outbreak starts, the entire world is in jeopardy. They are that serious. Sometimes when I am alone, or in different places, I imagine what I would do if an outbreak suddenly happened; where would I go, what would I use, and so on. Every time, I creep myself out, and am glad it isn't real. I have actually had multiple terrifying nightmares about zombies, and I know it is because I flood my mind with them. I literally introduce fear into my life because of my fascination with zombies. This is the paradox of my love for them.
To end this post about zombies, and to stick to my tradition, let me leave with this parting sentiment.
Zombies. :D
Interesting post. Where do your feelings lie upon the concept of the "fast" zombie, featured in the 28 Days/Weeks Later series? Are they zombies to you, or something else?
ReplyDeleteThe only real prerequisite I have is that they are dead, and back to life, and they have some drive to eat people. I actually prefer fast zombies, like in Dawn of the Dead.
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