Feature I wrote and junk
Feature that I wrote for class.
Zombie apocalypse a grave threat;
servicemembers prepare for undead
Spc. Jayden A. Scott
BPASC 100-10
Auxiliary Feature
ZOMBIE
History will be written in the blood of humanity.
The past decades have seen gigantic leaps in science and technology as man vainly attempts to separate himself from the inevitable.
In great leaps of medical and surgical advancement, humanity has spat in the faces of infection and contagion, and defied traumatic injury. With genetic engineering and experimentation, humankind has staved off starvation by creating more fruitful crops, better livestock. With new and better computers, vehicles and weaponry, man has sought to triumph over other men and to make life easier for those rich enough to afford it.
Humanity has rendered Charles R. Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest obsolete with its relentless efforts to supplant death.
Spc. Jayden A. Scott
ZOMBIE/2-2-2
With pride spurring humankind forward, it is only a matter of time before the next great leap in science and technology leads to the inevitable irony of the zombie apocalypse.
Whether it is caused by a biological weapon gone awry or the result of a mutated genetic experiment, the zombie apocalypse will blur the lines of life and death, and render the continuation of the human species uncertain.
Individuals who survive will be those that prove Darwin’s theory correct. Servicemembers are more likely to be prepared, and therefore more physically and mentally fit to survive the impending zombie apocalypse.
“It could happen at any time,” said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Hatcher, a photojournalism instructor at the Defense Information School here, who has been aware of the imminent uprising of the undead since she can remember. “I think being a soldier uniquely prepares us.”
As a noncommissioned officer and soldier, she feels that she is better prepared than the general population because she is trained in weapons, physically conditioned, and better equipped to fend off and survive the zombie uprising, said Hatcher.
The military has better stockpiles of food and supplies, including Meals, Ready-to-Eat, or MREs, and materials to build fortifications against an undead invasion, said Hatcher.
Spc. Jayden A. Scott
ZOMBIE/3-3-3
The armed forces also have armories full of weapons and ammunition to last a very long time, said Hatcher. Most civilians do not have a large number of guns and a surplus of ammunition at their disposal.
Access to weapons and a means of defense are a crucial part of survival, said Air Force Staff Sgt. James Bolinger, a journalism instructor at DINFOS.
He has plenty of ammunition and a variety of weapons to ensure his safety if the horde of the living dead threatens his home, said Bolinger. Not only does he own plenty of firearms, but he is also trained to use them effectively.
However, it isn’t enough to stockpile food and guns, said Bolinger. Having a plan is a start, but there are other aspects that most individuals do not consider. Mental and emotional preparedness is vital to survival yet most people do not consider it when preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
An individual must be prepared to kill friends and family members if they become infected to prevent them from joining the swelling ranks of the undead legions, said Hatcher. It is a cutthroat mentality that is needed to survive. The majority of the general population does not have the ruthless approach needed, but military servicemembers are more accustomed to that frame of mind.
“It’s Darwinism at its absolute, and I think fit means not just physically fit but emotionally fit and mentally fit. Is it going to suck? Yes. But is it going to potentially save mankind?” said Hatcher. “Yeah.”
Spc. Jayden A. Scott
ZOMBIE/4-4-4
Despite the rush of media attention in popular culture, most people are still not aware of the threat that the zombie apocalypse poses. “I think they don’t have any concept of what’s coming,” said Bolinger.
The high rate of transmission, unpreparedness, stupidity and a lack of awareness are all factors that could result in a significant loss of life, said Hatcher.
“Americans have a lot of hubris,” said Hatcher. “We think that nothing can touch us, nothing can hurt us. Not to sound callous, but 9/11 was a shock to us because we had never been attacked on American soil. And I think most people grew up kind of insulated from that, so I think people aren’t prepared, don’t understand how to survive a situation like that.”
The future of humanity is uncertain and hinges on the suitability of the species to survive and to overcome the madness of the zombie apocalypse.
Servicemembers are among those best prepared. They are more likely to be fit enough to survive the rising of the dead, to fend off the horde, and to ensure that humanity continues.
The aptness of humanity to escape the destruction wrought by its own vanity is uncertain. Noah had his flood; humankind has itself.
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