Rage

Rage is a universal characteristic.

No matter when or where, there has never been a time of peace.

Some bloke or idiot have always picked, and always will pick a fight with someone else. This is not because they are different from others and feel the 'rage'; it is because they can not control the rage inside themselves.

Humans are a mosaic of emotions. They express love, fear, hatred, contempt, sadness, etc. Are these just another of the 'courses' that people take in school? Or did somebody have to explain, demonstrate these feelings? Of course not. These are innate characteristics of a living form that can 'feel.' The discrepancy between a criminal and a priest is simple; It is the difference in their ability to control themselves. Even saints would feel a fleeting sense of hatred at some point, when things just wont unravel as they should (Hail Murphy!) If this is true, then why do people loathe the idea of expressing their hatred? After all, it's natural. If what something natural is wrong, then does that imply that our existence is wrong, a mistake of God? (no offense)

Ironically, this question of 'rage' had been developed into a movie in Britain. 28 Days Later (2002) and its sequel 28 Weeks Later (2007) depict 'rage' infected humans rampaging on streets. These infected people feel no other emotions than 'rage.' Their uncontrollable rage forces these half-zombies to wander around and kill or infect 'normal' people.

28 days later begins with a group of animal rights charging into a lab full of caged monkeys. They encounter a scientist who warns the danger of freeing the 'infected' monkeys, but the group ignores the caveat and frees a monkey. The monkey bites a woman, who turns into a raging zombie seconds later and attack other members. So begins the journey of the 'rage' virus.

Jim, the protagonist, wakes up in a deserted hospital. He finds himself amidst a horde of 'infected's but manages to escape with the help of two other survivors. Apparently, the whole island seems to have been contaminated with the virus. The group travels, meeting other survivors (A father and his dear daughter) and losing one of its members to the zombies (from now on, I shall use the word 'zombies' instead of 'infected' but they are technically very different).

The story climaxes as the surviving group struggles between the zombies and a small group of desperate army whose lust for women leads Jim and his friends to flee.

The story itself is veerry interesting, but I would like to focus more on the theme of 'rage.' The infected humans have no desire for food, necessaries, or rest. All that occupies their mind is rage, rage, rage. They wish to destroy, disintegrate, and create chaos. The sole reason of their existent is for destruction. They are brutally deprived of the beauties of life; they do not fear, they do not think, they do not eat, they do not love. They do know how to kill and hate. An obvious symptom of an 'infected' is their eyes. Their eyes become bloodshot, and eventually turn black. (I assume this is what we would call, 'blind rage') Their physical attributes are greatly improved (or it could be that they no longer care if they burn their muscles.) and seeing them darting around is a very different experience (zombies are typically famous for their massive numbers, gruesome features and sleepwalking like slumber.) Seeing zombies slumbering to you is one thing; watching a huge humanoid hurling itself to you at full speed is another. (The director used real athletes to act out the 'infected's. Very impressive.)

The story ends with Jim and his friends retreating into a desolate place and waiting for a foreign plane to notice their sign. (28 weeks later is when people land on Britain after 28 weeks later after the first virus domination. Just when people believe that the virus was extinct, it comes back!!)

Violence today is not an alien subject. We see violence in everyday life, from household violence to nationwide wars. We view ourselves as saints and think children learn violence as we grow, but I have a different perspective. A human is neither a saint nor a devil when he/she is born. It is a blank page, full of curiosity and an innate desire for survival. However, humans are not much different from any other animals. They try to survive, and protect themselves from adversaries. This nature has led humans to dominate the planet and exploit it as they see fit. Now, they kill their own species for territory, wealth, and even for the difference in their view of the world. So far as I know, no other living unit in this planet kills its species or other species for having a different perspective. This difference makes humans very different from other species. This important factor makes humans dangerous to others, to themselves, to the world. They are now capable of killing others with a push of a button, or a trigger. They can now bring chaos and total annihilation to the world within minutes. The future of humankind now seems shaky, even bleak as advanced technologies show greater possibilities of destruction.

Although the world now seems at the verge of breaking apart, I ask myself, 'if humans have had several times to destroy mankind once and for all, why haven't they done it already?' To this, the answer is clear: Because we do not only feel hatred and anger. We know how to love, to care, to hope. Regardless of all despair, tragedy, and sadness that pervade in this world, we still have the last content of Pandora's box: hope. We hope for a better future, for a symbiotic rapport with nature, for a 'greater good.' Even when justice is nowhere, we create justice and believe it exists. This belief of the possibility of creating a better world is the angel that resides in each of us, if rage and violence is the name of the devil. Many view this belief as part of religion, but I believe that there exists something different from God. I believe, from the bottomest part of my ruined heart, that there is an existence out there. This existence does not tell us, show us, or have anything to do with humans because it does not exist in reality. It exists in all of us, but cannot be perceived, touched, or clarified. I would call this 'hope.' or 'destiny'. or 'force' (may the force be with you...gasp....not that one..)

In this sense, I see hope in the future of humankind. (Applaud)