This isn't any more a waste of money than when scientists study "real" problems, but between lobbyists and the uneducated Fox-News-watching masses, policy does not follow the scientific results. Might as well study zombies, at least it's more fun.

Excellent point. And as the Discussion section of the paper lightly suggests, "possible real-life applications may include allegiance to political parties." Which brings to mind applying the model to certain negative cultural memes, which are certainly highly infectious and, in their way, produce...zombies!