Are Vampires Real? The Science Behind the Myth

www.foxnews.com: From countless depictions of “Dracula” to recent movies like “Twilight” and “New Moon,” the vampire has been a staple in books and film. But is there a scientific basis for the folklore? Is there fact behind the myth of the blood-sucking creature of the night? 

Decomposing bodies that leaked blood must have frightened gravediggers in the past. Tropical diseases and insects that suck blood, leaving corpses wasted and desiccated, must have seemed scary to other cultures. It’s a short jump from fearful to superstitious, and there are clear biological and anthropological conditions that likely led to these fears.

Applying science to a mostly fictional creature is nothing new, says Dr. Katherine Ramsland, who teaches forensic psychology at DeSales University and wrote the book, “The Science of Vampires.” Addressing the origins of the myth, she asks:

“Does it derive from mythology that addresses a basic fear of death, a lack of knowledge about body decomposition, an undefined disease, or perhaps the symptom of a mental illness now known as ‘clinical vampirism’? That is, do these narratives express some society’s need for myth, or might a vampire tale be an attempt to explain a frightening phenomenon actually witnessed?”

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Allan Hyde Q & A at the EyeCon True Blood Convention

www.fanpop.com: The following are two videos taken by a True Blood fan named Belenski28 on YouTube at Allan Hyde’s (Godric) question and answer session during the EyeCon True Blood Convention being held this weekend, November 13 -15, 2009 in Orlando, Florida.  In the videos Allan discusses his experience shooting True Blood and his role of Godric.  Thank you so much Belenski28 for the videos so all those True Blood fans who could not attend can take in a little bit of the convention and Allan. Enjoy!

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Turn the Other Neck: ‘Twilight,’ Vampires and Christianity

blog.beliefnet.com: Last week Donna blogged about the new novel “Thirsty,” by Tracey Bateman, a Christian take on the vampire vogue spurred by the success of the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. Bateman’s vampire, like Meyer’s Edward, is a sympathetic fiend: a bloodsucker in recovery, he befriends a woman dealing with her own addiction issues. When, I asked, did vampires get so friendly?

For an answer, I sought out John Granger, whose book “How Harry Cast His Spell” parses the myths behind J.K. Rowling’s Potter series, and who has recently completed “Spotlight,” an examination of the spiritual and literary influences behind the Twilight stories. (He also writes a “Twihard” blog for those who take Meyer’s series very seriously.) I asked him about Meyer, Dracula, and our current mania for the undead.

How are these modern vampires we love different from the bloodsuckers we grew up with?

“Dracula”–Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel that was the model for “Nosferatu” and Bela Lugosi, and the vampires in the Twilight books–define the two ends of the vampire spectrum. Stoker was a Victorian, a Presbyterian writing in the Romantic tradition, which resisted scientific empiricism and materialism. Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon writing postmodern fiction. They differ in all the ways you’d expect in meaning and focus.

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What do you think of all of these? OBS loves your opinions!