Zombie Cliche Lookout: Putting a Point on Things
As we discussed last time around, during the zombie apocalypse, there are a lot of little things that you can do to intimidate other survivors. Now there is of course the ethical consideration behind doing this. We’re just going to go ahead and set that consideration aside because, well, intimidating people to get them to do what you want is rarely justifiable. So let’s just move along then, shall we?
An excellent way to start pushing on people is to setup an unequal balance or power or knowledge. This overwhelms their ability to fight back effectively. Take, for instance, today’s strip. Not only does this smiling gentleman know all the people in our little group, he even knows their names. That puts forth the obvious question: what else does he know. Our heroes, by contrast, know absolutely nothing about this guy. They don’t even know his name yet, let alone what other strengths or weaknesses he might have.
About this Episode:
So we see a lot of the backs of people’s heads in this episode. And, to be honest, we’re going to see a fair bit of that in the next couple of episodes. I don’t really care for this too much when people are talking. For some reason, it really drives me nuts that you can’t see someone’s face when they’re talking. There are exceptions of course, but by and large I don’t care for it.
Discussion Question: Let’s Get Back to Ethics
So remember up above where I said we were going to ignore the ethical considerations of weaponizing intimidation? Well, what I meant to say is that I am going to ignore those. I’d like you guys to take the other tack. Explore some situations where pushing people around might be the right things to do.
Question: What happens if one of them throws something large and heavy that hits him directly in the head at him? 😀 Those of the group outside might not know what to do but I’d bet those inside have other ideas! 😀
Good question. I think that all depends on whether he’s alone, or if he has allies nearby.
As an aside, the point of view from those inside the house would be really interesting right now! 😀 I’d say one of them knows this guy, and is discussing what to do about him with the others! 😀
Very interesting. Why do you think someone knows him?
I’m speaking specifically of Murphy. He’s a law enforcement officer, he’d recognize this guy straight away, even if he hasn’t done anything wrong! 😀 It’s a small town setting they’re in, right? It’s quite likely that the local law enforcement would know most, if not all, of the people living locally! 😀
Ah, okay. Yeah, this is a fairly small town surrounded by rural areas (i.e. farmland and woods).
I would have just never opened the door and ruined his whole monolog xD
Damn, hardcore.
I was thinkingI’d just shoot him once he revealed he knew names and numbers of the group. Spying? He was obviously up to no good.
Damn, you guys are not screwing around.
Smug characters who think they have all the answers really bug me.
Pushing people around is the right things to do is the basis of civilization. Laws forbidding you to do whatever you want or you get fined, jailed or executed by enforcers in blue uniforms are pretty much what is keeping the apocalypse away right now. Whether you agree with those laws or have the resources or contacts to avoid the penalties are what sets up a lot of conflict in stories like in the movie Office Space.
I like this take. Keeping order and preventing people from hurting/exploiting others is a pretty solid reason to intimidate.
I am trying to think of who could be in this guy’s group. To see how hed know these people (without spying). Could be Inez, Barb, or Clark. But none of them know Tara. So that doesn’t fit.
Now I’m thinking that Russell is a traitor. Dave has (maybe. I think) always brought up questions of whether or not he is trustworthy. So…I’m thinking he’s not.