Researcher: Zombie fads peak when society unhappy

by The Associated Press
March 11, 2013 at 7:40 am

LOL, so The Walking Dead’s ratings are tied to societal dissatisfaction? This is a scientist? SMH — Rickey×

Researcher says interest in zombies waxes, wanes to mirror societal dissatisfaction

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A researcher says widespread interest in the world of the undead isn’t just a random fad.

Clemson University English professor Sarah Lauro says people are more interested in zombies when they’re dissatisfied with society as a whole.

Lauro has been studying the concept of the “zombie walk,” a mass gathering of people who dress in tattered clothing and stagger about like zombies. She says such events originated in Canada a decade ago.

Over the next few years, as the U.S. became embroiled in war in Iraq, Lauro says the concept gained popularity in this country and continued to grow.

She says that as of last year, zombie walks had been documented in 20 countries. Guinness World Records says the largest took place in 2010 in New Jersey, with 4,000 participants.

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. Users may not download or reproduce a substantial portion of the AP material found on this web site. AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.