Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I came late to the television series "The Walking Dead" and started watching the first season primarily because of Jonah Goldberg's NRO posts and the general buzz around it. Up until now, I've always disliked zombie porn and thought viewers who were into it mainly liked the idea of shooting people they disagreed with in the head.
I see the appeal. But that's not what this post is about.
While watching the fourth episode of the series, I threw up my hands in despair. Not because of the zombies, or the plot line, or the soap opera angles of the show, but because the episode begins with two sisters fishing in a boat in what looks like a gravel pit. They have a heart-to-heart discussion about their father and learning to fish while growing up (prior to the world going kablooey because of zombies everywhere) and it's supposed to tug at the heartstrings.
But as someone who is passionate about fishing and outdoor pursuits in general, it drove me crazy. One woman held a fly-rod but fished as if it were a branch with a string tied on it and a worm on the end. The two sisters discussed how their father taught one how to fish with "bait" and keep what she caught and the other to fish with "dry lures" and turn the fish back. Our hearts were supposed to be tugged at because the two characters figured out that dad realized they were different people and treated them as such.
However, my reaction was: Your father was insane. Everything about the scene was wrong. Fly rods are nine feet long and must be cast. Fly fishermen (or women) don't use bait, which is the point of fly-fishing. There is no such thing as a "dry lure," although there are dry flies (flies that float instead of sink). Lures are made of metal and cast with a spinning rod. Flies are not. Among the people I fish with -- and that includes men, women, and my daughters -- the entire scene would make them hoot with laughter, as it did for me.
Later in the series, a deer hunter shoots a deer. And that's it.He doesn't field dress it, or drag it home, or cut it up, or eat it. He just shoots it and that's the last we ever see of the dead animal or the meat. My guess is that 95 percent of the viewers never even thought about what should have happened next.
The point here isn't that Hollywood writers get everything wrong, because of course they do. We're used to that. Cops, lawyers, and military types are always pointing out inaccuracies. It gets boring.
What bothers me is that the fishing, hunting, and outdoor culture of America is fading away. Not only do Hollywood writers not have a clue about basic outdoor skills and experiences, but viewers don't either. I see it constantly: men wearing fly-fishing shirts outdoors (because of the many pockets and the fact that they think it makes them look cool) who have never cast a rod; folks who don't know the difference between the "gun culture" and outdoor pursuits where a gun may or may not be involved; people who wear mountain climbing gear while driving huge 4x4s and have never taken the vehicle off the road; folks who've never tasted actual wild meat ordering "elk medallions" for dinner, not realizing they consist of farm-raised New Zealand red deer.
One of the unique attributes that made Americans different was our egalitarian view of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors in general. It wasn't just for aristocrats and massive landowners. We repaired our own cars, fixed up our houses, and brought wild game and fish to the table. I think we still like to think of ourselves that way (or many of us do). My freezer is stocked with elk, pheasants, wild turkeys, pronghorn antelope, and fish. Often, when we serve it, our guests are trying this exotic food for the first time in their lives. And they're often shocked to find out how good it is!
What do you think? Have most Americans lost their connection to the natural world to the degree that they think deer hunters kill the animal and leave it to rot or that one must fish with "dry lures"? Or that wearing stylized outdoor gear makes one an outdoorsman or outdoorswoman (outdoors-person?). And is this disconnect just one more factor in our decline?
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Oct '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
See, what I thought was annoying about that fishing scene was Andrea. And every other scene she's in.
Apr '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I don't think Americans in general have. I will say that the city-livin' Hollywood types in general have no idea what the wilds are like, and what fishing and hunting are.
I've never hunted, but when I was young my Dad took us fishing all the time. I've used bait and have gone fly fishing. One year my dad helped my brother and I build our own fly rod. Fishing with bait was fun, but there's something rewarding about fly fishing ...
There has long been something of a disconnect of those who enjoy the comforts of city life with those who find comfort in the outskirts of such places. At present the pendulum has swung towards those who live in the cities for various reasons, with consequences as you listed above.
Apr '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
Not too long ago, I went to the zoo with a gal at night. A double fence -- the inner fence electric -- was all that separated us from a large she-wolf of the timber variety. My friend crouched down and made wuffling noises, the wolf wuffled back.
I noted, "if that fence was there, we'd be dinner."
She replied, "No no! I'm talking to her."
And that's a city gal for you.
Mar '12
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
Just keep saying to yourself "It's only a stupid TV show."
East coast - West coast, the urbanites are clueless about these things.
Reminds me of a (supposedly) true story by a woman from Iowa in the 30's who was in Boston talking to a grand dame of Beantown society. The GD asked her where she was from and she replied "Iowa". The GD had a puzzled look on her face as she tried understand. The woman tries to help by saying, "You know cornfields and farms." The GD says, "Ah yes, but my dear in Boston we call it Ohio."
(I am not anti Boston, my mother is from there.)
Jun '12
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I bet Ted Nugent would have more things to say about this than you have time to listen to.
Sep '12
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
At least there are all those reality shows based in Alaska. TV viewers can still get exposure to some of that if they're interested.
Oct '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I did love Sarah Palin's Alaska.
Nov '12
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
Don't fret about the shrinking reach of authentic outdoor and survivalist culture. When the apocalypse comes, it's the hipsters in lumberjack and fly-fishing shirts and the foodies raving about exotic game, who'll be the main form of zombie sustenance.
Jun '10
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
"Cops, lawyers, and military types are always pointing out inaccuracies. It gets boring."
I don't know C.J., sometimes it's so stupid it is both frustrating and fun, and makes you go "Don't you guys ever use the "Technical Advisor" you list in the credits?..."
One of my favorites was CSI:NY, when they found a hollow-point bullet in a victim. Dark music, a zoom in and "An assassin's bullet!" Like, yea, and ever since the Amadou Diallo shooting, the round in every NYC duty weapon. Like your own sidearm (if your Dept. CSIs even carry a weapon).
The stupider the better, and your fishing example sounds plenty stupid.
And yes, your main point about the natural disconnect is true. I think one big part is that there are so few place left where it is safe enough for kids to simply disappear to wherever and not reappear until supper or dark, whichever comes first. Even suburban kids knew how to look for and remember landmarks, smell rain or snow coming, and get involved in learning about the flora and fauna to whatever degree struck their fancy.
Jul '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I saw that idiocy also years back. It's funny you should bring it up.
However, this fly guy has used bait. One day on the east fork of the Carson River ( 90 minutes from home) I found myself without my vest through stupidity but had some hooks. I combed the river banks in the morning for caddis pupae and fixed them to the hook with spider web material, catching a few little ones. Later in the day, some hoppers came out and I dry flied with a web encased hopper and hit a 23 inch rainbow that pounded in the current for 5-10 glorious minutes after doing a few half gainers with a triple twist. One of my happier days given the folly of not having a vest with 500 flies and every other gizmo on the planet.
Jun '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
If it makes you feel better, a few years ago I was whiling away time in line at Weight Watchers, reading the list of foods and associated "points", and I chuckled out loud at the inclusion of elk meat. "Just how many people are looking up elk meat for dinner?" I laughed. "I have some in my freezer" said the man in front of me.
Nov '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
If the activity involves more than a keyboard and a mouse, it seems like most people under 40 are helpless.
The women don't know enough to clean the lint from the dryer filter and the men don't know how to change the washer in a leaky faucet. Few cook their own meals. Everybody relies on a maid and a handyman.
Not to brag, but even though it might make better economic sense to call a repairman, I still do most of the routine maintenance and repairs around my house. (It's a matter of manly pride. I own lots of tools, and use them.)
My father and father-in-law could build their own houses (including wiring and plumbing), tear down an engine, dig wells, slaughter hogs, and otherwise grow, catch, or kill enough food enough to survive on. My mother and mother-in-law could milk cows, sew clothes, wring a chicken's neck, can vegetables, weed a garden, make bread, and cook everything from scratch.
Our highly specialized society seems extremely fragile. Talk about zombies. If the electricty went out for a month in a large urban area, people would starve . . . and start eating each other.
Jul '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
One thing I can say with near certainty. I am the only Ricochet member this weekend that will kill birds, coyotes, and be ready for zombies.
Jul '10
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
Love the warning label on the box. Apparently the zombie lawyers got to it.
Sep '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
Apropos of nothing in Mr. Box's post, this came to mind: My husband and I were discussing the ridiculousness of "Zombie killer" branded ammo/guns/machetes/knives/flashlights etc etc etc. I hypothesize that it's a cutesy/trendy way for somewhat normal people to become preppers without ending up on National Geographic Channel. Or it's just really smashing marketing.
Jun '10
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I'm glad I looked at the Hornady site, and there's more information elsewhere on the box. Otherwise, it would be "Which Movie?!?!"
Is this for a shotgun to the head?!?! Rifle center mass?!?! Which movie?!?!
May '10
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
As a brother, it has made me extremely happy to see my sisters find for themselves hunters/fishermen. I am content that their material needs will be provided, whatever the circumstances. As for other needs, they are Texan women and won't stand for being treated like anything other than ladies.
I believe all men (and I say this as an artist) should at least attempt to learn the skills necessary for basic repairs, maintenance and survival. But I don't expect all men to be MacGyver or Rambo.
May '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
CJ, your post post does touch on issues that are at the heart of our cultural decline. I could not agree with you more. But I would say that lots of pockets is a good thing. A very good thing.
Oct '11
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
Come on, I can't be the only one who finds Andrea obnoxious.
Re: Zombie Porn and "Dry Lures"
I have a few problems with "The Walking Dead," not the least of which is the walking dead. After a few months they'd all be gone. And it never occurred to them to head north; guaranteed that after one winter, North Dakota would be zombie-free. They'd freeze solid. Get out the chainsaws, boys, there's work to do.