World War Z and the Economic mess...

[creeky]

Driving home yesterday I was listening to the news. Economy bad, blah, blah, blah, Stimulus needed, Blah, Blah, must act now, Blah, Blah...

Also had a segment about what measures other countries are doing to try and control their situations.

Then I thought... hmmm to bad it isn't a zombie outbreak.

Then it hit me... "World War Z"! As I thought about it on the drive home, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to the book. Almost like it could be used as a metaphor for what is happening now.

Examples:

Zombies = Slow moving, stagnating economy

Infection = Slowly spreading to all facets of the economy/job sector

the Sudo-Cure = Stimulus package (This will make the public feel better, that we are doing something.)

Different plans = All countries trying different approaches to secure themselves, and contain the "spread"

The Big stand in NY = The hail mary, hit it in one shot defense, (ie. the first stimulus package)

Now I am not trying to say this is some sort of economic apocalypse... or that zombies are about to rise. Just saying it's interesting that I can see subtle similarities in the tow things.

Am I waaaaaay off base here? Or can anyone else see this?

[Daniel]

Im reading this book atm.

[Punisher84]

Not a bad conclusion, but just like LOTR and the Bible, I think you can find comparisons anywhere. That's what is great about comparisons and, like Nostradamus, prophecy.

It can all be made to fit.

[BryanP]

the Sudo-Cure = Stimulus package (This will make the public feel better, that we are doing something.)

You want to use root access to cure it?

[memphismason]

I am reading The Art of War, and I can see all of the "Bush Blunders" in the "War on Terror".

Weird, huh?

[creeky]

You want to use root access to cure it?

BWahahaha! I didn't catch that! Geeky Hilarious!!!!

But maybe that is what we do need... Root access to go in and fix this stuff! LOL!

[Guest mikedwood]

I am reading The Art of War, and I can see all of the "Bush Blunders" in the "War on Terror".

Weird, huh?

I did that few months ago. I couldn't find one thing they did right according to "The Art of War"

I wish it were zombies intead of this economy thing. I honesty think we could take care of zombies.

[BryanP]

BWahahaha! I didn't catch that! Geeky Hilarious!!!!

But maybe that is what we do need... Root access to go in and fix this stuff! LOL!

That works. As long as it's not some pseudo sudo that is.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I am reading The Art of War, and I can see all of the "Bush Blunders" in the "War on Terror".

Weird, huh?

No, I don't think its weird. "In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign." "Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt." This war started being dictated by the media and the screaming hippy liberals who would embrace a suicide bomber with a beatific smile. You cannot compromise. You can read The Art of War and there won't be one news reporter standing right in the middle telling you "You're doing it wrong."

"We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors." The new Iraqi police force seems to be more dangerous to our own troops in some instances.

"If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will." How bout them mosques?

And on and on. Thankfully, the military kicks A$$ on its own when out in combat.

[Guest tantrum]

I recently read the book. I see what you mean about some of the similarities. Speaking of that book, I have heard rumor of World War Z being adapted into film. Could be an interesting flick if it's put together correctly.

Here's a little info I found on it from IMDB

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816711/

[creeky]

The book is so huge... and detailed, I think it would be better as a HBO

mini series. Done as a documentary. That being said, I will still go see the movie.

[BryanP]

A lot of the smaller storylines would have to be cut, with just the overall story focusing on a few of the characters who showed up throughout the book. They'd probably end up merging a few of the stories and making them about a smaller number of primary characters.

[creeky]

That is what kind of bothers me. It is so rich in details... that even merging

and simplifying the story would seem to take away from the scope. But I could be way wrong.

[Guest Revelator]

I just started reading this book last night and will probably finish it in the next day or two. It's quite a page turner. The number of zombie movies just the last few years shows how popular the genre is: 28 Days, Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead Remake. I hope they don't f-up the movie version of "Z" the way they did with I Am Legend.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Zombie themed shooting match in AZ. This would be cool.

[TGO David]

The one thing that struck me the most about WWZ was the storyline regarding the 180-degree shift in the social "caste" system that we have here in the United States. Overnight, the people who were capable of doing meaningful, important tasks that would sustain society's way of life (i.e. farmers, plumbers, electricians, craftsmen, janitors, policemen, firemen, doctors, nurses, etc.) were of infinitely more value and had far greater earning potential than many of the more lucrative careers that exist now. Careers like actors, performers, producers, performers, athletes, etc. Those people suddenly found themselves doing menial tasks for paltry wages.

Sounds like something that could easily happen if our economy were to collapse.

[creeky]

Exactly "tungs". The value system gets a complete revise.

Priorities become a lot more "realistic".

One thing that stood out when I read it was the guy who had the ingredients to rootbeer behind him in a frame. All the ingredients came from all over the world. Kind of made a statement about globalization and the need to still be able to produce things inside the country. Being self sufficient as a country and as a people.

[Guest Revelator]

The one thing that struck me the most about WWZ was the storyline regarding the 180-degree shift in the social "caste" system that we have here in the United States. Overnight, the people who were capable of doing meaningful, important tasks that would sustain society's way of life (i.e. farmers, plumbers, electricians, craftsmen, janitors, policemen, firemen, doctors, nurses, etc.) were of infinitely more value and had far greater earning potential than many of the more lucrative careers that exist now. Careers like actors, performers, producers, performers, athletes, etc. Those people suddenly found themselves doing menial tasks for paltry wages.

Sounds like something that could easily happen if our economy were to collapse.

More than once I've wished I had a more survival-type skill set, such as engineering or medicine, than law. Who's going to need a lawyer around after a social and economic upheaval? But it really all depends on what type of person you are and how well you adapt. I may not know how to set up an irrigation system, fix a broken bone, or organize a security detail, but I'd like to think that my lawyering skills, such as being able to mediate and bring together people with conflicting views, would help.

[creeky]

...but I'd like to think that my lawyering skills, such as being able to mediate and bring together people with conflicting views, would help.

You also have to look at your current skills in a more broader sense.

(Organizing, evaluating, analyzing facts and using logic to render an opinion or decision.) These are all organizational skills... much of which many people do not currently posses. I'm thinking you might be selling yourself a wee bit short.

[Guest c.a.s.]

There are much better zombie books, stories, and movies.

[TGO David]

There are much better zombie books, stories, and movies.

I don't think you've paid attention to what this thread is about. It's not about the zombie aspect of the book; it's about the political and social commentaries made within and how they relate to things that are happening around us right now.

No offense, but at 16 years of age I wasn't very observant in these areas so chances are you aren't either. I'd just sit and read and learn more than I posted if I were in that boat.

[Guest c.a.s.]

Just making an observation. I've read the book before, as well as listened to the audiobook (which is pretty interesting, actually), and don't have a comment that hasn't already been covered by previous posters. There are plenty of parrallels, and there are about the same, if a bit less, in other Z-media. And other SHTF media, as well. A classc is Orwell's 1984, which several bloggers have noticed some glaring similarities to the book and today. Halffast's Lights Out story has a couple similiarities, but not near as much. But it's about an EMP attack.

One could even say there are toned-down simliarities to today in the book, "The Giver".

I was just never really a fan of Max Brook's work

[Punisher84]

You also have to look at your current skills in a more broader sense.

(Organizing, evaluating, analyzing facts and using logic to render an opinion or decision.) These are all organizational skills... much of which many people do not currently posses. I'm thinking you might be selling yourself a wee bit short.

Went back and was reading over this, thought this quote was worth resurrecting.

If you look at a social and economic collapse, obviously there are going to be people that will be of more value than others, but as Patrick himself pointed out and Creeky hinted at, there are people who will adapt and some who will just fall apart.

Look at New Orleans for example, ALOT of the cops just took off. Self survival and all I guess. One of the main characters in Dawn of the Dead remake was probably smarter than Ving Rhames (the cop), but he "sold televisions at a Best Buy".

While some professions will be in greater demand and those skill sets will ultimately needed more, it really depends on the people.

When we were doing mass-casualty events at the hospital for the longest time our administrators worked like everyone survived, no one left, and that, aside from planned problems, everybody held it together fine. That changed when several of them went to a Homeland Security training seminar where they turned all that crap upside down.

People like to think their job title, money, and social status make them important with little thought to how they will be useful in a world where there is no social system. Truth is people will react at their basic nature when confronted with problems, it's what makes cops run towards gunfire, firefighters run into a burning building, and military personnel run back into heavy fire to drag their buddy out.