The Fascinating Apocalypse

     Why are we fascinated by the end of the world? On the one hand,  Archer writes that the apocalypse has a unifying "do good" feel that instills a sense of community and solidarity that brings everyone together. This element can be seen in the popular video game series Fallout. Set in the future, the game's storyline is influenced by the post war culture of 1950s America, its combination of fear of nuclear combination and hope of the arrival of new technology. The people have moved to underground shelters owned by different communities or "factions". Unified by their hopes, fears and the struggle to survive, each community seeks its own ways of sustainability. 

     On the other hand, Pagels points out that the end of the world is succeeded by the birth of a new one as predicted by The Book of Revelation. In the same fashion,  Norse mythology foretells the emergence of a new world after ragnarok. Fallout is already set in the new world that combines some elements of the past (1950's cars and computers) and the future (directed-energy weapons, advanced cars). The familiar elements of the new world provide a sense of calmness and hope that part of our world will be preserved in the new one. Even though apocalyptic stories are centered on death and destruction, they always end in rebirth and preservation. It seems like the popularity of apocalyptic stories is not fueled by the content (death and destruction), but the ending (arrival of the glorious new world with some elements of the old one). What ultimately thrills the human mind is the hope of seeing the amazing gift of new life along with the survival of some old elements of it.

Apocalypticism

Archer mentioned in his comic series that apocalypticism is appealing because of “the adaptability of its imagery.” For instance, apocalyptic films during the Cold War period revolved around the idea that nuclear bombs would cause the end of the world whereas, current apocalyptic films center on pandemics as the next catalyst for the end of the world. Thus, apocalypticism usually has a definite structure in that it reflects the present state while positioning the storyline in the future. This helps the audience connect with the plot since they may want to find out whether an apocalypse can happen or not, which motivates them to watch further. Box office sales of two apocalyptic films, Independence Day, 1996 ($820 million) and The Day After Tomorrow, 2004 ($652 million) quantitatively demonstrates the appeal of apocalyptic films (Archer). Popular apocalyptic movies like the ones listed above do not prevent countless TV apocalyptic shows to attract a large audience. Why is that? It may have to do with the way apocalypticism is fostered in television series. For instance, in the last episode of its current season, The Last Ship, commanding officer Chandler explains why he cannot let the plague win, “Doctor you know this, in the 14th century the Black Death wiped out 60% of the European population. The plague killed indiscriminately. The artists, scientists, thinkers, so few and precious to begin with were wiped out. It upended the social order and prolonged the Dark Ages 150 years. I cannot let that happen here” (Michael Bay & Jack Bender, 2014).

This quote clearly supports the idea that an apocalypse could actually happen because it happened over six centuries ago with the Black Death. As a result, the reinstatement of this historic fact makes the audience question the chances of encountering a deadly contagion in the near future. For instance, countries around the world are currently dealing with the Ebola crisis. The outbreak started in West Africa and has now traveled to various countries, including the United States. As of now, there is no approved vaccine or cure for those infected, but an early intensive treatment. Will the Ebola crisis turn into the next Black Death? It can be seen from our current news media that we are not coping well with the crisis, “According to the World Health Organization, 40 percent of all Ebola cases have happened in just the last three weeks” (The Economic Collapse, 2014). The fact that a pandemic is likely to occur is what makes people fear apocalypticism while they are attracted to it at the same time. Humans are drawn to the tales of survival within apocalypticism since it gives them a sense of thrill knowing how people in danger make it out alive. Moreover, The Last Ship is appealing to audiences since the whole plot is credible and not farfetched. In a way through watching these apocalyptic shows, people “prepare” themselves if an apocalypse were to happen so they can increase their own chances of survival.

From The Last Ship: A dead man infected with the contagion