Zombies: I'm Not Buying It

I was interested in hearing Eric Watts speak about zombies in class. Throughout his speech he made it clear that he is spent a lot of time doing research and cultivating theories about zombies and zombie culture, and I definitely learned a lot from hearing him speak. For instance, I did not know that zombie culture in the United States became popular after 9/11, and I was not aware that it was so rooted in black culture and other ethnicities as well. However, when he tried to connect zombies and consumerism I found myself skeptical.

Watts tried to argue that in history zombies have flocked to malls and shopping centers because of their deep seeded urge to be consumers. It was their human side showing. I disagree. There is no trace of the humans they once were left in zombies. They are focused on one thing, and one thing only: brains. They pick up the scent and they follow it until they lose it, find it, or die. They literally have a one-track mind. And let’s consider the survivors. If you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, it is not likely you will have all of the necessary provisions to avoid/kill zombies. And even if you did happen to be surrounded by everything you could possibly want or need, if that space is unsafe or becomes infiltrated, the number seven rule of Zombieland is pack light. You don’t want pounds of food and protection weighing you down as you try to make your escape. It is likely you will often find yourself searching for a mall or shopping center to restock. Remember, zombies want your brains, so they pick up your scent and follow you to where? A shopping center.