Zombie. Ghouls. Zacks. G’s.The Living-Dead. No matter what the label or tag, this species are greatest threat to us humans besides our species itself. They are the walking plague; the disease and us humans are their host. The lucky ones get their flesh eaten until nothing remains(So lucky right?). The unluckier join the massive ranks of the G’s (A word for zombie used through the interviews) and are transformed into a predatory beast. The “Skin was as cold and gray as the cement on which he lay. I could find neither his heartbeat nor his pulse.” His eye’s were wild, wide and sunken back in their sockets” (7). Are Zombies invincible creatures? No. Do they have any weakness? Yes. The power of the human will. There are always a few brave souls who put themselves straight into the fight even when the odds are equivalent to the impossible. Max Brooks, the author of the novel World War Z, brings us to the firsthand accounts of the “Zombie Wars”.
In the prewar setting of the Zombie War “Most people don’t believe something can happen until it already has” (32). Many did not know the seriousness and threat of the zombie uprising truly was. However, it wasn’t completely their fault that they lacked knowledge of these events. Backs then, the living-dead were only known as “African Rabies”. Government’s and rulers around the world hushed the zombie cases in South Africa and China. They threw the facts it into a dark pit until it they could resurface again. The mood the world was addressing this threat (Especially the USA Government) took down many people’s guard. Instead, many world powers took the pre-war as a time to sell the fear of a zombie apocalypse and make people appear to be protected. “ ‘Turn on the T.V,’ he’d say. ‘What are you seeing? People selling their products? No. People selling fear of you having to live without their products. Fear of ageing, fear of loneliness, fear of poverty, fear of failure. Fear is the most basic emotion we have. Fear is primal. Fear Sells.” (55) At this turning point in the novel, many were not prepared for what happened next. No cheap product that “May prevent from some viral infections,” (57) could not prevent a full uprising of the living-dead. And that was what exactly happened.
The setting and exposition of the World War Z could be used as a symbol of how people underestimate problems until the last minute. Just like when many people leave to finish their project on the last day and realize that they don’t have enough time. People think in their mind that their ready, however, in reality they are not. And that is a bad thing to think about when you come face to face with a zombie.
Citations for featured image:
samuelpblogger 
Wow. If only more people knew that commercials earn with fear. And as you have stated, “Most people don’t believe something can happen until it already has” in the beginning of your second paragraph. I mean, if we were attacked I would find a boat and fish for food … then sharks become my problem… Anyways, are you the part of this majority or the minority? (Well, in the movie we saw what happens to the majority…) but, if you were part of the minority, what would you do? Let’s pretend that we’re going to have a zombie apocalypse five minutes from now. Would you infect yourself like in the book? How would anyone defend themselves if the apocalypse started at lunch, at our school. Let’s say, a teacher staggers in, looking weird, and charges at a student with their mouth open (from the hallway entrance). Where would you run if there were zombies outside as well?
Anyways, Cheers! Because if there was one, we know what to do, right, suicide.
“Most people don’t believe something can happen until it already has” (32) I really liked how you used this quote because many people can connect to it as it happens in real life all the time. We always think that things will be alright until they go wrong, and thats when we realize we should’ve done something about it way earlier. I also like how you supported your point by closing like this:”People think in their mind that their ready, however, in reality they are not. And that is a bad thing to think about when you come face to face with a zombie.” But why is it that we always think that we are ready, and how can we prepare for the worst in the future?
I saw World War Z a while back and it was good, this book seems pretty intense too!
“Turn on the T.V,’ he’d say. ‘What are you seeing? People selling their products? No. People selling fear of you having to live without their products.” This statement reminded me a lot about worries and 2012. Remember back when many people were convinced that 2012 would be the year where there would be an apocalypse, yet we still are here in 2014. Many people out of fear spent all their money building a bunker just to feel more “safe” when the time comes. As you said before, it would “make people appear to be protected.” They are not truly protected, if the world should end now, wouldn’t their bunkers go down with the world.
What are you afraid of? Would you spend your money out of fear on products that supposedly protect you from your fears?
Hey Cece,
Thanks for the comment. As you said, “Would you be part of the minority or majority,” I think that question would be hard to answer. Honestly, in a zombie apocalypse death would be right around the corner, waiting for you. Even if you were able to survive (highly unlikely), life would never been the same. There would be nothing to look forward to, expect death. I would understand that many people would find suicide as the only option, however, I don’t think it would be the right choice. Rather try to fight and survive than to just die. Hope I answered most of your questions. Anyways let hope nothing like this will ever come are way.
Hey Jason,
Thanks for the comment. “But why is it that we always think that we are ready, and how can we prepare for the worst in the future?” I think your question is hard to answer. Us as humans have a naturally instinct to think we are ready when truly are not. Trying to prepare for the worst in the future, in my opinion would be a waste of time. What if that “Worst Future” doesn’t even come? We would have spent our lives preparing for nothing. I would understand preparing would be good in some aspects, however, would it be worth our time?
Hey Cynthia,
Thanks for the comment. “What are you afraid of?” I am afraid for fear itself. Fear is our most basic emotion and it seems to be hardwired into every last person on Earth.
“Would you spend your money out of fear on products that supposedly protect you from your fears?” Honestly, yes I would. However, when people buy these kinds of products wouldn’t think of it as spending money on worthless products. The products are more of a base to which is supposed to hide our fears and try to make us more clam and sensible. I hope I answered most of your questions.