Hello!
As we continue to look at the macabre world of zombies in product development we’re moving on to the most recent type of zombie - the viral strain.
Whilst I’ve compared the reanimated lumbering zombie of the 60s to product teams without direction, floating toward their next meal, the viral zombie is something darker and more dangerous altogether. Similar rules apply but for this version of the zombie, the plague is transmitted far easier and the zombies have been putting in some cardio training.
The viral zombies are fast, vicious and more primal in their appetites. So how does the viral zombie manifest itself in product teams? As an idea.
The zombie hunts to consume, convert and assimilate the oppositional force in the most symbolic way, by destroying the brain: destruction of an individual and their ideology.
“Culture is super important here”
Whilst most viral zombies are obvious, sometimes the infection is insidious, creeping in from the sidelines and soaking into a community. This is where much of the drama comes from in Pegg and Wright’s Cornetto trilogy. Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End all show the struggle of the individual against a mass movement. The mass consumes and eradicates its prey, either converting or destroying, until there is one overriding dominant monoculture.
What might seem a small thing can quickly take hold in fertile ground, if people are unhappy, naive or hungry for a change, new ideas can quickly take hold.
There’s a trope in modern zombie films that you don’t actually call zombies zombies. They usually use a euphemism like ‘taken’, ‘diseased’ or ‘infected’. Infected is the key word here, once someone is infected by a virus they’re contagious, feeling the effects themselves and liable to spread the infection.
I’m not suggesting that all ideas are bad, instead highlighting that bad ideas can spread incredibly quickly.
If the body becomes compromised at any level and the zombification process begins, the zombie virus will inevitably infect the brain/government. This will lead the state to carry out its base appetite, searching for its essential needs such as security and resources. The needs would depend on the virus that has infected the body; if the virus was rage, akin to the zombie infection in 28 Days Later, the state would become warmongering and distrustful to others with a self-interested agenda.
Unchecked and unopposed the zombie infection can spread in a predatory manner, consuming victims far and wide.
The social phenomenon of mass ideological acceptance is reflected in the flesh-eating aspect of zombie culture. If a human is attacked, the zombie either feasts on its flesh, devouring the corpse, or alternatively the human is merely bitten, infected, and subsequently transformed into a zombie. Transferring this process/metaphor from fiction into the political sphere creates presumptions regarding the appearance of new dominant ideologies. Weak individuals who oppose strong, dominating forces will inevitably submit to new ideologies. They become infected by waves that have affected all others and submit to the undead ranks. Exposure to a concept will inevitably lead to acceptance or promotion unless an aggressive, confrontational stance is taken. This mentality defines zombies as political monsters; rendered universal beings by the discourse.
Use fire and sunlight
Ideas can be dangerous things - they’re hard to kill. Not impossible, but definitely difficult. The way to best defeat them is to do what they do in the zombie films, heat things up with fire, accelerate it and then bring the culture out for everyone to see. People call sunlight a great disinfectant, how it can help in product development is forcing everything out in to the open. Shine a spotlight on to what’s actually occurring for all to see objectively and hopefully sanity will prevail and curtail the infection. If the infection can’t be cured you truly get to see what the infection has wrought upon your colleagues, at that point it’s time to bow down to the sickness, or ship out to the next opportunity.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this”
Even if you protect yourself from the zombie swarm, you’re going to be impacted by the environment they create. Zombies running around everywhere will naturally destroy everything even if you and your team aren’t infected. At this point you need to know how to adapt to the brave new world in front of you. Whilst you may not carry the strain, you need to navigate a world in which it exists. Nobody is fully immune, but you can create a strong environment that will help you see through the storm.
“I still don’t actually understand why we are going to The Winchester.” “It’s a pub, it’s safe, it’s secure.” “They know us there.” “What makes it so secure?” “It’s got heavy doors. It’s got dead bolts. You’ve been to a lock in.” - Whilst a comedy film, Shaun of the Dead has surprisingly good advice. Protect yourself from the grim apocalypse, wait for the storm to blow over and don’t stick your head above the parapet.
Proceed with caution
How you navigate, adapt and pivot in the new zombie landscape will determine how long you can survive. The early scenes of 28 Days Later offer a haunting view of a deserted London, dangerous and barren landscapes. If the infection has taken complete dominion of your environment and you need to seek shelter and navigate with caution. Seek safety and like-minded uninfected where you rally to cure or escape.
One final word…
Zombies man, they can be dangerous, but there usually isn’t malice, they’re just us, but different.