[One interesting thing I will note is that the Higg’s Boson, the so-called God Particle, does not do anything. It is an emanation of an invisible field which permeates the entire universe and in resistance to which matter acquires mass. I don’t know what relation, if any, this supposition–needed to make the math work–and that of a Zero Point Field/Quantum vacuum possess. Both, though, are 1) invisible; and 2) omnipresent.]
Logically, anything which works to build fear and aggression also works to build shame, and a strong need to avoid shame.
Can we not suppose that modern American media works to develop an addiction to violence? An addiction to fear/suspense, as well as an addiction to violent acts, ideally directed at suitably nasty people, but not necessarily, as in horror films, which make heroes out of some of their villains.
Does not this process, seen everywhere (by the way, I gave up on American Gods; I just don’t need all that stuff floating around my head), work to build a usable background of shame which can be put to work politically? I am going to suppose yes.
There is, to put it another way, a political because sociological relation between Socialism as it is sold, and The Walking Dead.