The dead walk among us. Zombies, ghouls-no matter what their label-these somnambulists are the greatest threat to humanity, other than humanity itself.
Zombies are apocalyptic. I think that's why people love them because we're living in, not apocalyptic times, but I think we're living in fear of the apocalyptic times.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote connects the fascination with zombies to contemporary fears about societal collapse and catastrophe.
Max Brooks suggests that the popularity of zombies in culture reflects a deeper societal anxiety about impending disasters. Although we may not be in outright apocalyptic conditions, the fears and uncertainties of modern life can create a feeling of living on the brink of catastrophe, and zombies symbolize that dread. The genre allows us to confront these fears in a fictional context, revealing our underlying worries about the future.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the cultural impact of horror movies, you might quote this to emphasize how art reflects societal fears.
More from Max Brooks
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Every man is a moon; he has a side no one sees.
You are afraid to die, and youβre afraid to live. What a way to exist.
I think you have to remember that Americans saw their purpose as so innately good that they could excuse the pain they would inflict on others to carry out those purposes. Because the purposes were so good, they would justify this pain we were inflicting on other people.
Even today we raise our hand against our brother... We have perfected our weapons, our conscience has fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our ideas to justify ourselves as if it were normal we continue to sow destruction, pain, death. Violence and war lead only to death.
We always strive after what is forbidden, and desire the things refused us.
Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance.