Vampire information, page 2
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reply posted on 22-8-2005 @ 08:15 AM by Jeremiah25
I understand what you are looking for. You want to know if supernatural, virtually immortal, extra-human-power possessing vampires of the form popularised by Ann Rice exist. They don't, at least in my opinion. Let's examine why I think this:

1) In stories such as Ann Rice's (and many others), vampires are created when a human drinks the blood of a vampire, usually after having had their own blood drained. Why would this make the person turn into a vampire? The only possible reason I can imagine is the presence of a virus of some kind - any other explanation must be a purely supernatural one, which I cannot accept. I also think that such a virus would spread far enough that evidence of it would be more noticeable than it is. After all, look at the rapid spread of blood-borne viruses such as HIV.

2) Where are these vampires? Why don't we ever see evidence of them? Where are the deaths from exsanguination? Where are the reports of people with funky powers? Where are the reports of people bursting into flame as the sun rises? It's not that such cases are rare - they're non-existent, at least to my knowledge. Surely if vampires such as these existed we would see at least some evidence of their abilities or limitations. The fact that we don't see anything leads me to conclude that the traditional-style vampires are a mere myth.

3) The traditional vampire motif is too obviously a parody of the darker instincts of humanity for me to believe that it represents an actual creature. For example: vampires, of the kind I think you are referring to, are like a darker but more refined human. They don't have any of the messy drawbacks that humans have to suffer through - eating, excreting, aging, dying. They are forever young and forever beautiful. They have super powers - strength, speed, flight, telepathy, telekinesis, sometimes others. Most of the time they are portrayed as having access to untold wealth. They are almost always associated with sex and danger, a potent combination of humanity's primal instincts.

Simply put, vampires are everything that humanity wishes it could be and fears in itself. They are above the petty minutiae that we are forced to live with. They prey on people and take what they want when they want. They are above our rules and our laws and that makes them attractive to people.

As for people who claim to be vampires, most acknowledge that they are not supernatural, or immortal. A lack of evidence regarding what we traditionally viewed as vampires has given rise to alternate explanations: psychic vampires, astral vampires, emotional vampires and others. I am aware that there are those people who claim to be 100s of years old. Let them show us their birth certificate, or an old photograph of themselves, or any form of tangible evidence that they are something other than attention-seeking individuals latching onto an archetype.

Until we start to see at least some evidence that "classic" vampires exist, I think we have to assume that they are little more than humanity's dark reflection and exist merely in our minds and in our stories.

You might also want to examine a book called
Piercing the Darkness: Undercover With Vampires In America Today by Katherine Ramsland. She initially sets out to follow the trail of journalist Susan Walsh, who supposedly disappeared whilst researching 'real' vampires. Ramsland quickly discovers that, whilst supernatural vampires are apparently non-existent, the vampire subculture is alive and well. An interesting look into the vampire mythos in contemporary America, if not the real thing.

[edit on 22/8/05 by Jeremiah25]


reply posted on 23-8-2005 @ 11:42 AM by Gazrok

Much like any other topic in this forum I dont have proof.. At least not anything that would stand up in court. *shrugs* I see no reason why vampires could not exist in a world filled with greys, lizards, nessies, and bigfoots. All I seek is information nothing more.


Ahh, but grays, lizzies, nessie, etc. aren't "immortal"...and that's a pretty big leap of faith. Also, grays, lizzies, nessie, etc. aren't "supernatural" in origin with otherworldly powers either... So, there is a bit of a difference here in logical assumption...

I'm assuming you mean the "classic" definition of vampire...

I.e. supernatural being, can shapechange, turn into mist, is immortal, and drinks the blood of the living.

You should know that this "classic" idea of a vampire is actually very different from the "historic" view of vampires, both of European and American folklore. The "classic" vampire is pretty much the product of fiction, and yes, largely from Bram Stoker's book, Dracula. You may want to look into the inspiration for his book (i.e. Vlad Tepes..sp? Vlad the Impaler) for some more insight there.

The more historic vampire view is that of a corpse that sleeps in the coffin during the day, and stalks the living at night. However, they weren't wearing fancy suits (other than burial clothes), or very aristocratic or romantic. The vampire of folklore was an almost mindless monster. It was thought to rise from the grave (either in a spirit form or in corporeal form, depending on the local ideas) and then feast on the living, returning before sunup.

Such ideas are thought to be largely born of the misunderstanding of the death and decay process. For example, rigormortis was the root of the vampire's reputed incredible strength (as nobody could move the limbs, etc. of a corpse). Gasses in the body would expand, forcing blood to come out of the body openings (mouth as the easiest), causing people to assume the corpse must have drunk fresh blood! Fingernails and hair would grow, causing the unfamiliar to ascribe some kind of life to the corpse, etc. The original idea of driving a stake through a vampire wasn't to kill it. It was to "staple" the corpse to the ground so that it wouldn't rise up at night, hehe.... Later, more elaborate rituals (with a better visual) were designed to bring closure to a community. You see, many towns blamed plagues, etc. on a vampire in the community. So, they'd blame a corpse (usually the person who died with the same symptoms), exhume it, find the tell-tale signs of "vampirism", and then cut out the heart, stuff the head with flowers, burn them both on a consecrated altar, etc.

Hope this helps some...

The romantic, aristocratic vampire is purely a product of fiction writers (with a very easily traced trail), not the historic view of vampires so feared by our ancestors....


reply posted on 24-8-2005 @ 02:49 AM by nikelbee
I don't think most of us are being purposely sarcastic as perhaps just a wee playful. The deal with vampires is that most of the 'good' stuff about them, or shall I say, the stuff that makes us romanticize them, is completely made up. I think that is why the majority of the answers to your posts are pulling up tons and tons of links.

Fear is such a fertile ground from where to take your inspirations - We have done it in almost every mythological being. Although a lot of it is based initially on facts, we being humans, we love a good mystery and love to ponder and exaggerate the aspects of things we cannot understand.

Vampires are no different. There *have* been actual people who have physically craved blood; some 18th century guy (don't quote me on that) who used to cut the heads off ducks in parks and drink their blood and was able to sniff out women in their menses. There was the countess that someone already mentioned and others who you will have to find on your own. These are such unique situations though that they warrant a good, long think and debate on vampirism vs. madness.

Then there are bloodthirsty people and this may or may not have to do with actual sanguine instincts and more to do with their need to kill and relish in the blood of victims or conquests rather than the drinking of for substanance.

Then there are all the other 'psychological' vampire traits everyone else mentioned.

I also mentioned a subculture of own society, which is (while sad) also very interesting. These poor kids think the romantic gothic myth of vampirisms makes it possible for them to have been passed down authentic vampire genes, when it more likely the combination of their young hormones and their unfettered imagination in fast gear. In reality those vampiric genes cannot have been passed down to them as the 'legend' is taken from Bram Stroker's own imagination. Which is why genetically this would be impossible, unless Bram had the power of genetic design.

There is a book out there I read some time about called Blood (something) about true legends of blood drinkers so maybe you start with that.

And the chupacabra was not mentioned in jest. It is to my knowledge a blood sucking creature. It just isn't ravishing/beautiful with dark hair and pale skin. At least from most accounts.

Good luck with your search.

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