Monday, January 26, 2015
Snow Day Post: Seitz Article
Like I mentioned in class on Friday, the Seitz article is both frustrating (in its small factual inaccuracies) and insightful. We could spend time talking about what we didn't like or those inaccuracies, but that's a bit boring and reductive. Instead, talk about what you think of his larger arguments.
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Seitz had a great point in his article about the true fears of a zombie outbreak. I had never begun to think that it was an attack towards white collared workers, or anything like that, but it's true. If you are a mechanic or some other useful job occupation, the survival rate would surely be in your ball court. However, if you were a CEO of a company and just knew what to tell people to do, you would have a very difficult time surviving during a zombie outbreak. It's all about survival, who can hunt and who will be hunted. Seitz makes excellent points all throughout his article, which I personally agree with.
ReplyDeleteThe article was very frustrating in its inaccuracies, but it did make some good points. I would have to agree with Laura in saying that a CEO would have less chance of surviving a zombie world than a mechanic. It’s not an idea that I think about when I think about zombies, but I have heard of the notion before. Also, if you think about it, it is portrayed this way in many movies, not just zombie movies. The ones you would assume wouldn’t make it usually do in the end, because they know how to survive. “It’s all about survival, who can hunt and who will be hunted.” (Laura) Such a very accurate statement. I also thought it was interesting how Seitz brought the idea of how much the zombie has changed from “Night of the Living Dead”. He brought up the point that in today’s zombie vision, “the monsters sprinted like Olympic track-and-field stars” and that people who watched the original “Night of the Living Dead” were most likely unhappy with what they saw onscreen. It makes you wonder. As the zombie became more relatable and popular, it was given a bigger hunger. The zombies now seem to have more human characteristics, maybe that of animalistic as we have discussed in class, but more human. They can function to survive, but they cannot think in terms of why they are doing something. They’ve become much faster paced since society has also become faster paced. There’s so much going on in our world right now that maybe by them giving this creature a faster pace it raises our anxiety which may be what the film or show is going for in order for us to relate better. (Not to mention the idea of anything coming after you to eat you would cause some anxiety.) It also introduces us to the idea of animalistic humans who aren’t zombies, but are just trying to survive. People will do what they have to in order to make it as Laura also stated.
ReplyDeleteThis article was slightly offensive to me. I read the chapter in our textbook before reading this article so Skaskiw's "Bidding Farewell to Arms" was fresh in my mind. My thoughts when I reached the end of the article and read "“DEAD INSIDE” is what Rick and his family and any other survivors will be", I was disappointed to think that Seitz believes that humanity would be wiped out over a zombie attack. As a member of the military, I hate to think that Seitz also would believe that soldiers lose their humanity in a time of war, when they are required to kill fellow humans (not even the soulless zombies that the character in the Walking Dead face). I do, however, agree that some would be better suited for survival in a catastrophic event, but that is the same in all aspects of life. Using Laura's example, while a mechanic might be useful in escape plans, a CEO could also help a group when it comes to leadership and negotiation with fellow survivors. His idea that humans will become emotionless, merciless murderers is in direct contradiction to the history of mankind. People strive towards stability. Civilization was created out of necessity and in the event of crisis, humans would be more likely to turn to others for help. But then again, maybe I am just optimistic that humans are better than the animals Seitz thinks we are.
ReplyDeleteI think Seitz is really reaching with his reading "Don't Open - Dead Inside" as symbolism for the survivors. While I've only watched about 1.5 seasons of The Walking Dead to this point, I've seen very little that supports this reading of the survivors. Their desire to take risks that may pay off in a better life for themselves, and in some cases their children, shows that they are far from dead. I will say that I didn't pick up on the Military Reference that Meghan mentioned in her comment, I'm not saying I disagree with what she's saying about about soldiers, but I didn't see any reference to soldiers in the article.
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ReplyDeleteWhile reading this article, I agreed with many of the connections that Seitz made. In one point of the article, he makes a point about Rick going back and shooting the zombie that was crawling to put it out of its misery. He actually suggests that his tendencies will get him killed and he will need to suppress or "lose altogether to survive long term" I found this comment true and I didn't think too much about that before. Ricks caring and humane nature could potentially cause problems in the long run as far as survival goes. He will need to realize killing these mindless creatures is the only way to stay alive. Thinking strategically as opposed to thinking sympathetically is a trait he will need to obtain to survive. Overall, he made great points throughout the whole article.
ReplyDeleteI actually made a post about Seitz article!! go check it out!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://engl102spring2015.blogspot.com/2015/01/dont-open-dead-inside.html