Zombie Research Society
The Zombie Research Society defines the modern zombie in strictly biological terms; a relentlessly aggressive human corpse reanimated by a biological infection. However, we often venture outside these constraints to consider other possible causes of the inevitable zombie apocalypse. For example; the concept of transhumanism, at one time regarded as little more than science fiction, has recently become something of a mainstream intellectual movement.
From films like Bladerunner 2049 to the HBO original series Westworld, we have begun to question what it means to be human. Meanwhile, scientists and entrepreneurs like Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk, and Peter Thiel have continued to drive the discussion and thrust the concept itself into our culture. In a recent interview, Russian philosopher Aleksandr Dugin even cited transhumanism as one of the greatest challenges facing the millennial generation.
But how does this relate to our view of the undead? Putting aside the idea of a violent and relentlessly aggressive nature for now, transhumanism simply replaces the biological reanimation of the dead with a technological means of immortality or resurrection; digitally transferring your conscience after death, or slowly replacing your body piece by piece as described in this article for The Guardian by author Robin McKie:
[Transhumanists] believe that modern technology ultimately offers humans the chance to live for aeons, unshackled – as they would be – from the frailties of the human body. Failing organs would be replaced by longer-lasting high-tech versions just as carbon-fibre blades could replace the flesh, blood and bone of natural limbs. Thus we would end humanity’s reliance on “our frail version 1.0 human bodies into a far more durable and capable 2.0 counterpart,”…
How would these technologically enhanced “undead” cope with the living among them? Perhaps the psychological stress could lead to bigotry, resentment, or violence. The very idea of consuming human flesh may even offer a symbolic or metaphysical connection to what they have lost. From aggressive displays of dominance to rituals of mourning, cannibalism has a very long and complicated history. Of course, sustainability could be a factor as well.
The popular science fiction franchise The Matrix explored the idea of machines literally harvesting humans as fuel. With limited natural resources, and an undying population, is it too much to consider the flesh of biological humans as nothing more than sustenance for our new transhuman population; would the “undead” ever actually consider eating the living?
Transhumanism represents a brave new world; a theoretical frontier that poses a number of ethical questions for humanity. At what point do we begin to reconsider our official stance on the living dead and their motivations? Perhaps it’s finally time to expand our strict definition of the modern zombie to include technology. After all, what you don’t know could eat you!