Zombies, Meaning, and Ritual

Zombies are everywhere in our culture, in movies and shows, and even in real life (on zombie walks).  They’ve gone from being an object of horror to one of fascination, one that seems to reflect something back to us.  In “Zombies in Western Culture,” Ch. 2, Vervaeke et. al. discuss the change from aliens to zombies as the preeminent monster, and how this reflects the meaning crisis from the loss of the sacred canopy of Christianity.  Ian and I discuss the meaning of zombies as a symbol of mindlessness, and of solutions of meaning, community, and especially mindfulness.  We also discuss the false solutions of fanatical politics or religion, and of course consumerism or living life going through the motions.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Zombies are a Metaphor for Our Meaning

Crisis

02:00 Zombies are Us

05:19 Zombies are the Stranger in the Absence of Christian

Culture

11:00 Choosing to be Oblivious

15:50 Powering Through Life with a Singular Hunger

23:50 Incredible Life Meaning from Fanaticism

29:04 Mouth Feel and Roussean Virtue

32:30 99% of the Journey You’re not Pointing Straight