The Post-Apocalypse World: A Sociological Analysis of Culture

This article offers an in-depth reflection on the ways in which contemporary culture processes visions of the end of civilization. The author begins with a theoretical distinction between legitimate interpretation and overinterpretation, emphasizing the crucial role of socio-historical context and the audience's competence. The analysis focuses on post-apocalyptic worlds, which are treated as dense intertextual and multimodal networks. The text examines the evolution of doomsday myths—from their biblical roots to contemporary video games and films. Particular attention is paid to the sociological aspects of social degradation and the return to the "state of nature." By employing the tools of critical hermeneutics and discourse analysis, the reader is provided with a rigorous research framework that allows for the deconstruction of popular topoi and understanding the mechanisms of convergence culture.