In "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War," Max Brooks highlights the inadequacy of existing strategies when facing unprecedented challenges. The quote reflects the futility of relying on historical military doctrine to combat a zombie apocalypse, illustrating that past experiences cannot guide responses to novel threats. This emphasizes the need for adaptation and innovation in the face of catastrophe.

The notion of starting from scratch suggests a fundamental shift in thinking about warfare and survival. Brooks implies that survival may require fundamentally new approaches that are not bound by conventional wisdom. The urgency of creating an entirely new strategy in response to an unfamiliar enemy underscores the dynamic nature of conflict and the necessity for human resilience and creativity in crisis situations.