“Zombies r us” really struck me. I found this bumper sticker on http://www.zazzle.com/zombies+bumperstickers , and even though there are other quotes such as “I love zombies”, “I hunt zombies” and “In case of zombies, follow me!” I found this one to be the most significant, while the others are more comical.
I feel we have all become zombies. We live in New York City, a city that is constantly in motion and never sleeps. Everything is a routine and just like zombies most people don’t think, they just act. Zombies are constantly chasing the living for their flesh, and humans are constantly on the go to get where they need to be and carry out their day’s functions. We don’t see what is going on around us because we are so busy with our lives. There are no questions asked. We see this in Shaun of the Dead, in the opening scene where all the people are mechanized and seen in lines working, they all look alike too. In another scene, Shaun goes out to get a coke and an ice cream cone and he doesn’t notice the zombies on the street. The streets are obviously wrecked and isolated, but this doesn’t alarm him. What is most shocking is that he doesn’t even notice the blood on the refrigerator door. This movie is making fun of this state of blindness. I am not saying we are like this because we choose too, but more because our way of life makes us like this, just like zombies behave the way they do because they have been bitten and can’t really do anything about it. Even though we don’t have a physical transformation, we are acting more or less like a zombie. This idea is tied to Romero’s criticism of consumerism in Dawn of the Dead. Dendle says capitalism is fuelled by the need of continual growth. In the movie the characters decide to take over the mall because they enjoy the pleasures available to them. They don’t settle for just the essential; they want more, just as zombies want more and more human flesh.
Part of why we are scared when watching a zombie movie is the fear of becoming this “corrupt” unmoral being. We are scared of what we can potentially become influenced by our environment. Before being zombies, they are human beings. Once they become zombies, they act on instincts, primarily the instinct to eat. Humans have instincts too, but unlike the zombies we have a conscience that prevents us from acting out our instincts (well most people anyway). We have rules and live under an established system. Capitalism is what drives the economy, and it is scary to know that under it’s influence we can become mindless and corrupt. Greed is what can make us act out our instincts, just as a bite makes zombies devour humans. While watching a zombie movie we subconsciously hope we don’t get “bitten” by our society because deep down we don’t want to be this corrupt person, but once bitten “self is lost irrevocably” (Boon pg 35).
So if we are now zombies, living inauthentic lives, slaves to our routines and the social circumstances that made us the walking dead, is there any hope for salvation? Do you think we have anyhope at regaining our selves?
I think residents of New York City are especially susceptible to the zombie syndrome. NYC has a very powerful influence in regards to finance and commerce so I think it is extremely hard not to be affected. Our city has a high standard of living; things at the grocery store cost more than most places. We need money to get the things we want and we do not want to do without them. Thus, we need to constantly be thinking about where our next paycheck is coming from and if it will be enough for the next month. The people of NYC are a product of their environment.
I agree with Jenny’s idea that new yorkers seem more like zombies than any one else in the world. Many of us just stick stick to what we need to get done that day and don’t really pay attention to what else is going on around us. I don’t think there is any way of changing this habit because it is so built into our lives and into society. It very hard to change something that is part of our lifestyle so I guess all we can do is live with this zombie- like, passive way of living.
Let me play devil’s advocate: As New Yorkers, don’t we have all the cultural riches the city offers (the best in museums, theater, music, movies, food) within our reach? Shouldn’t we be more engaged, more in tune with the world? And if we are essentially zombies, practically lifeless and locked into our routines (think to the beginning of Shaun of the Dead), how might we break out? Are you all saying that there is no hope for us? Surely we can still claim some sort of agency and can take control of our lives and our minds. Can we?
I think Professor is very much correct. We’re surrounded by things that can enrich our minds. We should really take advantage of our surroundings. Step out of your comfort zones and try new things; go eat a cuisine you’ve never tried, listen to different types of music or even go watch a play.
How might we break out of our routines? I think the best way to is to be capricious. Take an unexpected adventure of your surroundings. The city has so much to offer.
There is definitely hope for us although it may be slim. I never felt that I could ever work a 9-5 desk job, doing my boss’ bidding. I’d much rather be my own boss and do things my way and taking control of my own life and mind.