The Art of the Theory: brought to you by a friendly zombie

My blogs are about the power of words and the expression of writing.  This topic allows me to share a theory that explains the irrationalities of how we feel and act.  The head shaking, “I can’t believe it,” moments, the daily events of crazy human behavior that defy logic.  Much of this can be explained in a very wise Yoga term titled “Mindful Body.”

The expression, mindful body, is used as reminder to stay present in our body.  It keeps us present, rather than getting lost in our busy craniums, which we are constantly doing.  Watching people in a hurry getting out of their car is intriguing.  First the car slams into a parking place, a head pops out in frenzy, reluctantly pulling a body along. The poor body runs into people, hunched over with sad shoulders, constantly trying to keep up.  Our heads, filled with preoccupied thoughts come first and our bodies seem to be dragged along as an afterthought.  This separation of head and body is an example of an unmindful body.

As people bump into one another, trip over each other, and step on each other’s’ toes, a universal complaint is loudly shared; “Everyone has become so rude.”  It got me thinking, “Do we all wake up each day and plan our rudeness?  Or have we become so isolated and immune to rude behavior that it is a foreign concept, unless it directly affects us?”

I was imagining what a full “unmdindfully” rude day might consist of.  I could go to the grocery store and take up half the isle with my cart.  As people try to get around me I would bob and weave between shelves, preventing their passage.  I could later go through airport security screening; take out each coin, one by one, go back, forget to take off my belt and shoes, and drag out the process for an insurmountable time.   At the Golden Gate Bridge toll both I would act surprised that I have to pay, while counting out coin after coin during rush hour.   I’d say my day is planned and is rudely full.

My theory of why the brain has stop talking to the body is simple – the zombie effect. As a retailer, the movie, Night of the Living Dead, explained shopping behavior more effectively than any metric marketing study.  After watching it, it suddenly it seemed so obvious why shoppers are completely unaware of their surroundings.  They have the zombie mentality of, “When approaching a retail environment, detach head from body.  Stand at doors and attempt to gain entrance.  Upon entry, wander isles.  Do all of this while moving in a stupor.”

We face multitudes of choices; all garnered toward separating us from the present and detaching us from what’s important.  Currently there is an inundation of vampire shows and fairy tale characters in our media.  Relentless news reports given by zombie broadcasters bombard us with images like the Mayan Calendar freak show.  Experts explain this deluge of pro-zombie behavior helps us handle tough and draining emotional times.

A big NO to that enlightenment!  Having observed crowd behavior since I was a child, watching shoppers forever, I am here to tell you, the Zombie effect is real and it does exist.  Beware!  It grows worse!  Watch for heads dragging poor bodies behind, and feel free to use my theory if it helps in anyway.  Now I have to go and find 200 quarters to pay for my gas; the zombies’ made me to do it!