Zombies: cinematic myth or societal warning?

Zombie movies have been around for 50+ years and it has always been the fantastical fear of the American population that the world will end due to a zombie apocalypse. First Night of the Living Dead came out in 1968, and the seed of thought was planted. I have been thinking of late how and why zombie movies became so popular so fast and have come to a conclusion: zombie movies are a parallel of today's world. First, let's look at the characteristics of a zombie. They started out portrayed, in the earlier movies, as slow moving drones that hungered for brains. In the zombie movies made in the 21st century, zombies are much different. They are faster, more ravenous, possess super human strength, and are contagious with the zombie disease. The only way to kill a zombie is to cut off the signals sent to and from the brain via the spinal cord. In other words, you have to break their neck or destroy the brain.  In all the zombie movies today, the world as we know it has ended and there are now only a select few that have managed to escape the contagion and are now living on the fringe of total human extinction. They are resourceful, capable individuals who work hard to stay alive. In some films, they are able to rebuild a small community that grows through mutual support and protection, in only a couple films, the community disbands through an outbreak of the zombie disease and the last humans fall. This brings to light a few things about what is going on in our world. First, when Night of the Living Dead was released for viewing, the economic and moral status of America was fair, but showed signs of fraying and possibly floundering. The movie showed slow moving, easy to elude, mindless zombies. The decline of human "civilization" was only just beginning to decline and it was only declining at a small degree. However, today's zombie movies share a similar plot: all-of-a-sudden ball drop in human society where the cause is, at first, unknown; quick and frightening deterioration of community and the every man for himself rule kicks in; and the zombies are capable of turning you into a zombie as well with just one bite. This change in plot construction brings me to think about how the morals of society and the strength of community have deteriorated. Every man really is for himself, now more than ever. When I was a kid, people were more kind to one another and there was more courtesy on the highway and in public places. Now, a person will chastise a broke and hunger bicyclist for not moving fast enough and will ignorantly take their eyes off the road to text without thinking that this may hurt them and someone else. Also, the dependence upon technology that my generation has frightens me, because they know nothing about how to care for themselves and use the natural resources around them if our economy does go into a "zombie" apocalypse. When the economy crashes and the crap hits the fan, and they can't play MW3 or Halo, they will become the zombies who wander aimlessly, trying to survive. I don't find it coincidence that the zombie movies have become so popular, along with the survivalist shows, because they give light to what is really going on and what you should do to prepare yourself for the impending "zombie" apocalypse. I have heeded the warning and am preparing myself. I have a plan of escape, from where to go to hide myself, to what plants are edible in that area and how to prepare them, to my mode of transportation and what to bring with me. Are you prepared to face the "zombies"?