Concrete Fascinations

What is it that's so beguiling about the idea of a Post-Apocalyptic world?  About the fall of society as we know it?

Does it speak to an innate desire for freedom? Or does it betray a deeper and darker nature or the human condition?
 Sure, when I think of a post-apocalyptic world I think of long and adventurous walks through ruined structures that once meant something, in search of god knows what.  I think of people banding together for safety and comfort; deeper bonds than most can imagine today forged out of necessity.  A world that doesn't lie about the fact that tomorrow is NOT promised to any of us.  A cruel world that is free of subtext and clear in its intentions; unlike the subliminal hellscape of our today.

And yet...much popular media built around "fall of society" and "Post-apocalypse" stories focus on rampant murder and violence; and if this is such popular media, does that not say something about humanity?  I can't lie(I mean I COULD, but I won't), I am a violent-minded person.  The only thing that prevents me from acting on some of my own violent intentions is the fear of legal consequences.  Were there no fear of law, I would systematically murder known pedophiles-people who hurt children...and even so I am largely considered to be a "good person" (although I think of myself as fairly neutral, "Chaotic Good" at best).  I imagine elaborate scenarios in which I am attacked, to mentally explore what hell I could unleash upon my attacker in the name of "self defense".  That said, I have no desire to hurt any (relatively)innocent people; I am actually a fairly easy-going person, despite my violent leanings.  Though, it is easy to imagine how some people COULD have worse violent tendencies than I do.

While typing that though, I was forced to wonder...is the popular "Murder and violence" fall-of-society/post-apocalypse media a result of human nature being decidedly dark?  Or is it that our media  is controlled by our "society" and government?  Is it meant to scare us into "good behavior"?  With the idea that the people won't rebel if they're afraid of being free? 

I'm not high