Why are zombies so popular these days?
For the past few years, zombies seem to have gotten more and more popular. From Thriller to any number of movies to the masks being sold for Halloween, to the number of times we are asked if we have a zombie plan yet, they have taken over the zeitgeist, in my opinion.
In addition, vampires are also very popular. The undead. The romance and sexuality of death.
What does this say about the psychology of our culture at this moment in time? What do the zombies stand for? What is the significance of zombie plans? Is it related to the economy? 9/11? The prevalence of suicide bombings all over the world?
What’s going on here?
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51 Answers
no clue, they’re not popular with me
I heard the government is working on a race of zombies to replace military soldiers.
I tend to think that it’s just a fad, and really the undead have long had a certain popularity. But you may be on to something. Not sure what, I’ll have to think it over.
Because after Twilight, vampires became boring.
I’d rank that fad up with the whole vampire fad. I’ve never really understood it. It’s like neon colored shorts, High-tops and suspenders. They come and go then come again… vicious cycle! – LB
I’m going to go ahead and take the high road
It was 9/11’s fault
It represents what our society is becoming.
Cultural Studies theorists posit that zombies prevail in our culture when people feel like themselves and others have become mindless slaves, incapable of controlling our basal instincts.
Today’s biogenetic zombies represent our fear of technology and bioengineering. We fear science is capable of drastically altering us, thereby taking away our humanity and turning us into…well, zombies.
I don’t know, but I’m going to start a new fad: Mummies!
@tinyfaery Along those lines, maybe the internet is turning us all into mindless zombies…
I don’t get it either! I’ve always hoped that the Chupcabra would catch on instead…much cooler!
There was a local punk rock band back in the day that had a song called Chupacabra. I will now have that in my head the rest of the day. Thanks, @forestGeek.
I thought that it was vampires that were all the rage.
Only during election years.
In addition, vampires are also very popular. The undead. The romance and sexuality of death.
Hold up. Since when is there a romance and a sexuality pertaining to death? I’m pretty sure that’s necrophilia, which is kind of frowned upon. But hey, to each his own, right?
@forestGeek Hmm, would be a good band name. This band was called Joe Popp though.
actually i think it´s because Mila Jovovich is trying to kill them.
@troubleinharlem I suppose the romance isn’t really with death, but with the undead, and the idea of being powerless to resist.
@tinyfaery Thank you for that! I wonder if you (or anyone) could spin that out a bit. Where does this powerlessness and sense of being mindless come from? How do people imagine that science will turn us into zombies?
@daloon – Ahh, the submission thing. I suppose that, in some people’s minds, would be erotic. Or something.
Am I the only one who finds zombies utterly uninteresting and a bit lame? I feel the same way about vampires and werewolves.
It’s all about ghosts.
I take back my first answer
Jeffrey Dahmer made zombies ( and necrophilia) popular well before that Zombie Guide did. How could I be a Wisconsinite and not remember the link? And, before him it was another infamous Wisconsinite, Ed Gein
Duh!
I think the whole romance and sexuality thing speaks to a kind of sexual repression. Being controlled by a vampire allows one to revel in forbidden sexual pleasures without guilt.
Beats the shit out of me. I thought it was scary enough just living through the Bush years!
@janbb Maybe it’s because Cheney is a zombie?
@gussnarp – I’m pretty sure that Cheney is just Snorlax in disguise.
@gussnarp Plausible, but then you would think they would be unpopular with all but the lunatic fringe.
@janbb But with zombie movies we can imagine it is Cheney getting blown apart with a shotgun, rather than his hunting partner. Pure wish fulfillment. Classic Freudian stuff.
@troubleinharlem <Googling Snorlax> Oh, no, that guy doesn’t look constipated enough to be Cheney.
@gussnarp I see your point, although I always thought the Darth Vader analogy the most apt.
Because there are so many tasty Brains!
@SpatzieLover I was referring to zombies and their affinity for brain-related foods, less for serial killers.
They are fun and scary. Am a big Romero fan.
@oratio I think they are fun and scary too.
With all the problems that many of us face these days it’s nice to enjoy a little cheesy horror now and then.
says the woman with a “Zombie” avatar
Does this mean that we could have Lincoln back as president?
Because twiligh ruined vampires.
because jenna is their queen.
Clearly it’s contagious, but the exact mechanism is still a mystery…
Seems both Zombies and Vampires have been pretty close for the last 5 years.
I would guess that Left 4 Dead is a good majority of the recent increase.
On a serious note, I’ve been seeing a lot of Frankenstein lately.
I love left 4 dead! Plus the 28 days/weeks later movies couldn’t hurt
@JONESGH Yes, the Brits do make some kick ass movies.
Let’s not forget Shaun of the Dead, the second best zombie flick I’ve ever seen. (Zombieland just recently overturned it for first)
@jonsblond I’ll definitely have to check that one out then. Thanks.
Brains… braaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiins…arrrrrr…
Improved CGI… and make up
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