Why are zombies so big right now? - John Vervaeke 

So glad to have the opportunity to be taught by Dolderman twice, Peterson twice, and Vervaeke once.

I was roaming and walking (just like a zombie) around the internet in search of a compact and thoughful explanation for the popularity of zombies. This 7-minute talk is WAY better than what I had previously found. Mr. Vervaeke, you have got my attention.

What does the NPC trend ,non player charater, mean as the cultural evolution of zombies?

The emphasis on zombies themselves is extremely interesting and I almost wonder if it's over thought. The reason I say this is that truthfully the zombies serve merely as a series of events to to provide an under current to the main plot in a zombie movie which is the interactions the people have with one another. You could argue that the outbreak or political events of right now provide similar under currents.

Love this! It's a trope I find useful in contextualizing a current of analysis in my own field (religious studies--of all things!) which advocates constant critique (spectral analysis) loathe to see meaning construction as anything but data: "Me hungry. Eat brain!" However, it does have an implicit drive toward meaning it self-legitimizes as observation, constant critique, etc. etc., hence spectral but (in my estimation) empty.

Hi John, I've noted that it comes in waves when it comes to zombie and vampire popularity. Sometimes it can be due to the fact that Hollywood runs out of ideas, and goes let's do zombies again! Other times, maybe it's deeper like you say in this video ... Anyway... I've had this thought too about zombies in pop culture. I like it. I'm in! Speaks to my growing recognition of my humanity and expanded understanding of us as a whole. And my love of entertainment, myths, stories, culture, and psychology, philosophy.. etc. Also, wow! I'm excited and enthusiastic about finding your channel (through your chat on Jordan's channel). Can't wait to get my notepads out and do your classes. Thank you for sharing. Really. Regards, Seán :) For wisdom and compassion, always.

I am here just to say: God job John

I love how you find the deeper meaning and actually help us identify why we are so attracted to this type of genre. I think the same thing about the hobbit series also, it symbolizes the spiritual/mythic path. I find it fascinating that the big time box office movies are more or less just a reflection of what is inside of the cultural narrative.

@johnvervaeke ❤ first off John, I love your work.

This man definitely saw what was coming

Another interesting aspect of popular culture, is the increasing popularity of TV series/movies that almost seems to glorify the cynical a-holes.

Zombies also reflect the fear of God, especially for unbelievers. To them, a zombie is the reflection of life after death - a condition in which they are out of control. They see life after death as meaningless and colorless and the ultimate futility. That is the other half of the equation.

How to communicate this? This is seven years ago, and it just getting worse. I've made exactly the same connection, but I feel powerless.

I think the aspect of the apocalyptic scenario with a purpose driven struggle plays a bigger role that makes those stories attractive. The focus is more on the people rather than the zombies in the story. A good video about this is titled "The Fantasy of Ultimate Purpose - How Our Entertainment Reveals Our Deepest Desire ."

what about the logotherapy of Viktor Frankel?

Very interesting lesson here. I would take it one step further, and apply Christian meaning to the classic monsters. In this case, the zombie is a corruption of the Christian notion of the Resurrection, a blasphemy against the promise that the dead would be raised to eternal life when Christ returns.

Certainly, let's explore how this concept could hypothetically work: 1. The Principle of Christ as a Cosmic Force: In this framework, we conceptualize Christ not as a historical figure, but as a fundamental cosmic principle or force that exists at the most basic level of reality. This force embodies the concepts of relation, reconciliation, and synthesis. 2. Presence at the Big Bang: At the moment of the universe's creation (the Big Bang), this Christ-principle is present as a primordial force. It doesn't create the universe directly, but rather acts as a guiding influence. 3. Emanation of Physical Laws: The Christ-principle emanates or unfolds into the basic physical laws of the universe. These laws are expressions of the fundamental nature of this cosmic Christ - they govern how different elements of the universe interact and combine. 4. Self-Assembly of the Universe: Guided by these Christ-emanated laws, the universe begins to self-assemble. The laws of physics, such as gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces, cause matter to coalesce and form increasingly complex structures. 5. Ongoing Process of Synthesis: As the universe evolves, this Christ-principle continues to operate at all levels, constantly bringing different elements into relationship and synthesis: - Subatomic particles combine to form atoms - Atoms combine to form molecules - Molecules combine to form celestial bodies and eventually life - In living systems, it drives evolution and increasing complexity - In conscious beings, it manifests as the drive towards understanding, cooperation, and unification 6. Resolution of Differences: The Christ-principle doesn't just combine like with like, but also works to reconcile opposites and resolve conflicts. This could be seen in processes like: - The balance of fundamental forces in physics - The symbiosis between different species in ecosystems - The psychological integration of different aspects of personality - The social and cultural integration of diverse human groups 7. Emergence of Higher-Order Entities: Through this ongoing process of relation and synthesis, guided by the Christ-principle, increasingly complex and conscious entities emerge. This could be seen as a cosmic trend towards greater complexity, consciousness, and unity. This hypothetical framework presents Christ as a cosmic principle underlying the fundamental nature of reality, driving the universe towards ever-greater levels of complexity, integration, and unity. It's a philosophical and metaphysical concept that attempts to bridge spiritual ideas with scientific understanding of cosmic evolution. It's important to note that this is a highly speculative and abstract concept, not aligned with traditional Christian theology or current scientific models. However, it does provide an interesting framework for contemplating the nature of cosmic evolution and the potential for underlying unifying principles in the universe.

The reason the word "zombie" is rarely used in current zombie movies and books is not metaphysical, it's to distinguish the movie or book from other ones. That said, I agree. The historical zombie (in films, etc.) was not what today's "zombies" are. It reflects that we are afraid of other people, and of losing our identities in meaninglessness. This is still true 10 years later.

The things is with zombies is that the zombies don’t realise they are zombies. It’s ironic that so many people chose their imaginary zombie weapons for the zombie apocalypse, while never imagining that they might be the zombies instead of the people fighting the zombies.

I always thought that zombies were just another representation of the golem? Just put out to culture in a different way.

it was like a church sermon...with zombies

When I see a man doing as society has programmed him (and other things) and has only the lowest form of so called waking consciousness I see a zombie in the most technical terms.

I can testify, everything that comes out of the mouthes of both Jordan Peterson and John Vervaeke, on the videos I have viewed, is divine transcendence. Cheers for to you both for explaining chi/Qi/spirit intellectually, even if only for me well worth the time listening and then some. Namaste.

This was really cool. Thank you for sharing!

Interesting video. Thumbs up. I'd be interested in seeing more videos also.

Wait...we have courses this cool at U of T...?

Zombies have been a huge thing since the 60s. It's def not a new trend. Romero's Night of the living dead is from 68.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I think you got it right except you didnt start with the most important thing defining a zombie , a real zombie , which is absolute lack of any real consciousness and not meaning.

It's actually about the possibility of pandemic. :p

The "Not John Vervaeke" seems to indicate that it was *NOT* John Vervaeke that wrote that response.

Myth of the zombie has evolved to the swarm.

Uh Hum... The past 3 years...

On to the next topic! Compassion and wisdom!

One thing that bothers me about this presentation: Zombies are homeless not because they can't find one but because they don't need one. They are impervious to weather and discomfort why would they need shelter? Similarily Zombies wander aimlessly because they don't have the brainpower for strategy, they hunt by accident and they create herds because they all will follow the same spore. Visit Ad-Astra in April, talk to some of the poeple who have supported zombies since 1974.

🤯 mind blown

Two pierced ears, eh?

Someone is rather full of themselves. You consider yourself life changing? I actually thought this video sucked.