2016 Research in the Capitol

The Consumption of Zombie Culture

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation (Electronic Copy Not Available)

Keywords

Zombies in popular culture; Zombies--Economic aspects;

Abstract

Monsters - specifically the zombie - play a fundamental and vital role in both ancient and modern societies. Zombies have been and continue to be culturally relevant because they represent our own personal fears and issues of societal and cultural anxiety. The purpose of this project is to show the connection between the rise of the zombie figure and the rise of anxiety in Western Culture regarding displaced peoples and outsiders. This is observed through the expansion and growth of the zombie in today's media (television, film, gaming, literature) and the high quantity of revenue associated with the zombie icon. Understanding why humans are so fascinated with the zombie figure in contemporary society allows for a reflection of the mutual deep-rooted fears (and in some cases, desires) of mankind. These fears include death, the collapse of society, and a perceived lack of autonomy and free will.

Start Date

29-3-2016 11:30 AM

End Date

29-3-2016 1:30 PM

Event Host

University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities

Faculty Advisor

Martha Reineke

Department

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

Department

Department of Philosophy and World Religions

Comments

Location: Iowa State House, Rotunda, Des Moines, Iowa

File Format

application/pdf

Electronic copy is not available through UNI ScholarWorks.

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Mar 29th, 11:30 AM Mar 29th, 1:30 PM

The Consumption of Zombie Culture

Monsters - specifically the zombie - play a fundamental and vital role in both ancient and modern societies. Zombies have been and continue to be culturally relevant because they represent our own personal fears and issues of societal and cultural anxiety. The purpose of this project is to show the connection between the rise of the zombie figure and the rise of anxiety in Western Culture regarding displaced peoples and outsiders. This is observed through the expansion and growth of the zombie in today's media (television, film, gaming, literature) and the high quantity of revenue associated with the zombie icon. Understanding why humans are so fascinated with the zombie figure in contemporary society allows for a reflection of the mutual deep-rooted fears (and in some cases, desires) of mankind. These fears include death, the collapse of society, and a perceived lack of autonomy and free will.