Paranormal Discussion: Zombies Edition

I know this isn’t one of my typical bookish post, but zombies often show up in media so I think this topic will be okay.

I love to read fictional stories, and that also includes books with paranormal creatures. Just the other night, I was thinking about the movie World War Z and how it was unusual to see zombies move quickly rather than your stereotypical slow zombies. (Author’s note: I have never watched World War Z, but I watched the Everything Wrong With video over it and that’s what got me thinking.) I was working on some essays I needed to write for an application when the question suddenly struck me:

Would you rather face one fast but dumb zombie or a group (let’s say five) of slow but smart zombies in a post-apocalyptic setting?

And so the discussion begins.

One Fast but Dumb Zombie

The Pros:

You would only have to go against one zombie versus the other option of five. That would be four less zombies to keep track of and make sure that they’re dead… well, more dead than usual.

On top of that, the zombie is dumb, so you might be able to gain some time to either get away or go for the kill by distracting it with, I don’t know, some rotting meat or something.

The Cons:

On the flip side, the zombie being dumb can be your downfall. Its inability to reason to try and stay alive can make it reckless and try more dangerous things that could cost you your life. Say you happen to come across a cross bow and start shooting arrows at it. A smart zombie might take cover for a while and try their chance at getting you when you are weaponless or during a surprise attack. A dumb zombie would probably continue to run up to you at a sprinting pace, despite the fact that someone is shooting arrows at them and could potential kill them. If you do not somehow stop it before it gets to you… well, you’re dead meat (okay, you can stop booing at my terrible pun).

This zombie is FAST. I mean, World War Z zombie fast. They can basically keep up with a really fit person when it comes to running, which is absolutely terrifying. If you’re not a runner, then I’m not sure if you would want to go against this zombie.

A Group of Five Slow but Smart Zombies

The Pros:

I’m a slow gal. Let’s just say that the last time I ran a full mile without stopping was never. Actually, it was almost five years ago. The thing is, I injured my ankle and both of my knees in the past, so it’s hard for me to run without my joints flaring up in pain. It was to the point my doctor advised me against running for the rest of my life (that doesn’t mean I don’t exercise though XD). That being said, I wouldn’t have to be too concerned with the pain in my legs if I have to go up against a group of slow zombies.

You could out-walk them, or even jog if it comes to that. That’ll give you some time to gain the higher ground and hopefully take them out before they think of a way to outmaneuver you.

Even though they’re smart, their reflexes are slow. If they decide on an ambush, you might have time to take them out before they infect/kill you.

The Cons:

Just because they’re slow doesn’t mean they can’t think. They would probably be thinking of a way to ambush you… maybe set a trap or something. I don’t like camping because… bugs. I hate bugs. That being said, I have no experience trying to survive in the outdoors/wilderness. If I got caught in a trap, I would not know what to do.

On top of that, I don’t like handling anything sharp/dangerous. I barely trust myself with a kitchen knife. I could maybe use a baseball bat as my choice of weapon. Then again, I have no upper body strength so I probably wouldn’t be able to wield the metal bat for long. Maybe if I had something like the spiked bat that Steve made for Nancy in Stranger Things….

The fact that you have to keep up with five zombies instead of one can make anyone’s brain scramble. Trying to make sure that you get everyone before they get you can be a stressful event, unlike going against one zombie, where when you kill it, that’s all you have to kill.

If I had to, I think I would go up against one fast but dumb zombie because I think I would be able to outsmart it and hopefully kill it before it gets to me. I don’t think I would be able to outmaneuver a group of zombies for too long. I might be able to dodge the first couple, but I feel like one of them will get me when I least expect it. At least with the dumber zombie it will probably not be concerned with stealth and surprise attacks.

Which option would you choose?

Tell me your thoughts!

Until next time….