How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Part.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I'm saying I made a lot of people rich: border guards, bureaucrats, police, even the mayor. These were still good times for China, where the best way to honor Chairman Mao's memory was to see his face on as many hundred yuan notes as possible. (2.2.8)
A lesson in irony. The border guards try to feed their desire for self-preservation by acquiring money. Sadly, the way they acquired said money actually put their, and the rest of the human race's, self-preservation at risk. In a word, karma.
Quote #2
Now, even if this wasn't a territorial hit, even if it was a religious or tribal revenge killing, no one just abandons fifty kilos of prime, raw, Bad Brown, or perfectly good assault rifles, or expensive personal trophies like watches, mini disc players, and GPS locaters. (2.3.4)
MacDonald doesn't see the usual evidence self-preservation (i.e. someone taking the things that'll obviously net them some cash). To his well-trained eyes, that's the first sign that things are amiss.
Quote #3
Thank God there is no cure for rabies. A cure would make people buy it only if they thought they were infected. But a vaccine! That's preventative! People will keep taking that as long as they're afraid it's out there! (3.3.5)
How pervasive is our need for self-preservation? So pervasive that Mr. Scott can exploit it to make himself a mint.
Quote #4
[…] it means that, in politics, you focus on the needs of your power base. Keep them happy, and they keep you in office. (3.4.15)
A politician promises to help us maintain our primitive desire for self-preservation. In turn, we help the politician do just that by keeping them in office and with a paycheck. Quid pro quo, Clarice.
Quote #5
[…] but they never mention that, by far, there's nothing more marketable than knowing how to kill some people while keeping others from being killed. (4.5.2)
Some people construct their entire identity around violence. But if you live for war—what happens when the war is over?
Quote #6
Redeker argued that these isolated, uninfected refugees must be kept alive, well defended and even resupplied, if possible, so as to keep the undead hordes firmly rooted to the spot. You see the genius, the sickness? (5.1.14)
Here, we have a question of humanitarianism—doing what is necessary to provide the most good for the most number of people. Is the Redeker plan that sacrifices some people for the benefit of others primitive or—humanitarian? World War Z provides no definitive answers.
Quote #7
Because Americans worship technology. It's an inherent trait in the national zeitgeist. Whether we realize it or not, even the most indefatigable Luddite can't deny our country's technoprowess. (6.4.44)
Humanity's need for self-preservation has always connected strongly with our tools: flint arrow heads, the pulley, and the tools of agriculture. In World War Z, America lets this technological zeal go maybe a little too far. On the other hand, we aren't so sure how well we'd survive without the Internet ourselves. (We'd definitely be out of a job.)
Quote #8
We had this great campsite right on the shore of a lake, not too many people around, but just enough to make us feel "safe," you know, if any of the dead show up. Everyone was real friendly, this big collective vibe of relief. (5.4.15)
These survivors have forgotten about a little something called winter—but it's coming anyway. Winter without modern heating devices is one harsh mistresss, and these survivors' need for self preservation will push their primitivity to the edge.
Quote #9
In a world of information without context, where status was determined on its acquisition and possession, those of my generation could rule like gods. […] I didn't have to worry about my appearance, or my social etiquette, my grades, or my prospects for the future. (7.4.4)
World War Z takes a few moments to point out that our sub-worlds—like the Internet—have their own rules for self-preservation. For the Internet, the first rule is to provide people with the information they want. The second rule: nobody likes a forum troll—the Internet's most primitive members.