For years, I've wondered what the deal was with zombies.

They’re everywhere — films, TV comics, books, even LARPing on college campuses.

Then I read an article by Clemson University professor, Sarah Lauro, whose studied the zombie phenomenon since the early 2000's. She argues that the phenomenon isn’t harmful or a random fad, but part of a historical trend that mirrors a level of cultural dissatisfaction and economic upheaval. Lauro points out:

“We are more interested in the zombie at times when as a culture we feel disempowered… And the facts are there that, when we are experiencing economic crises, the vast population is feeling disempowered. … Either playing dead themselves … or watching a show like `Walking Dead’ provides a great variety of outlets for people.”

She also said that most people aren’t even conscious that their attraction to zombie culture is related to feelings of vulnerability or disempowerment.

As I read her article, I looked back at what has happened in our society since the early 2000's. Terrorist attacks, bank crises, and housing market collapses have rendered many of us crippled and scared. In a lot of ways we feel like the walking dead. These are all invisible forces that we have no way of fighting directly, so we create a symbol or archetype that represents the thing that attacks us and threaten our humanity and way of life.

So, I get it now. Zombies are a manifestation of our fears and feelings of helplessness.