New at Reason

David Weigel knocks back a glass of blood with Eric Nuzum, author of a rip-roaring new history of vampires and vamp culture.

Last year reason emigre Tim Cavanaugh paid tribute to our friend, the zombie.

Comments

lunchstealer | October 29, 2007, 4:13pm | #

OK, so Zombies replaced the passe' ninjas, who had replaced the appallingly stone-aged pirates. So does this mean that vampires are the new zombie? Is that what the tragically hip are dressing as this year?

Karen | October 29, 2007, 4:18pm | #

I can't get over the fact that someone ran for office on the "impale evildoers" platform. Really, that is weird and worthy of ridicule.

That said, at least vampires have much flashier wardrobes than zombies.

Beware the Mahdi | October 29, 2007, 4:18pm | #

"While it's easy to dismiss that—hey, the guy thinks impalement is a good way to curb crime!—it's not much of a step from saying "that guy believes in vampires" to saying "that guy believes in Allah! That's weird." If you create a culture that just mocks those ideas or mocks the people who believe them then you're in dangerous territory."

I'd say the opposite is true. Moral equivalency is far more dangerous! All beliefs are not created equal. Allah is not the God of Judaism or Christianity. There is nothing wrong with saying that someone is crazy for believing something or that they are wrong. Why should that form of disagreement be “dangerous territory”?

JasonL | October 29, 2007, 4:18pm | #

Did the tragically hip ever actually dress as zombies?

J sub D | October 29, 2007, 4:20pm | #

I hate vampires. Especially this one!

I love vampires. Especially this one!

Taktix® | October 29, 2007, 4:29pm | #

Beware the Mahdi,

Yeah? Well my Level 37 Vampire Paladin would kick any god's ass!

Eric Hanneken | October 29, 2007, 4:31pm | #

For a brief history of vampire mythology, I recommend Vampires: Restless Creatures of the Night, by Jean Mariony. It covers thousands of years, going back to ancient figures like Lilitu .

Beware the Mahdi | October 29, 2007, 4:33pm | #

Well, your level 37 vampire paladin dresses like a girl. And you're stupid.

See everyone? I disagreed with AND insulted Taktix and the world did not end!

Taktix® | October 29, 2007, 4:48pm | #

See everyone? I disagreed with AND insulted Taktix and the world did not end!

Jeez! Give me a minute. Armageddon take time, man...

Brian Sorgatz | October 29, 2007, 8:14pm | #

I don't know about vampires, but zombies are crucial for certain philosophical thought experiments about how a material universe can form sentient (as opposed to merely intelligent and emotive) beings at all.

Those with a stake (no pun intended) in the debate over God's existence should pay especially close attention here.

BakedPenguin | October 30, 2007, 2:22am | #

Yes, but the real question is, do Vampires have any songs named after them as cool as this?

Mad Zombie Max | October 30, 2007, 3:53am | #

Am I the only one who didn't know this tidbit from the zombie article:

"George Romero, a Pittsburgh-based director of TV commercials and occasional segments for Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood . . ."

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood
A beautiful day for a zombie
I want you alive
I want you alive

I’ll devour your flesh, because it tastes good
Then I’ll slurp your insides like spaghetti
And you’ll die slowly
And you’ll die slowly

I always wanted to make a meal out . . . of . . . you
I always wanted to come to your neighborhood
And eat you
So . . . let’s have some fun on this beautiful day
As I’m devouring you I will hear you say
Won’t you please
Won’t you please
Please, Zombie Rogers
Kill me quicker.

Mitch | October 30, 2007, 4:25am | #

"If you create a culture that just mocks those ideas or mocks the people who believe them then you're in dangerous territory."

He was speaking of an entire culture here - I think he is talking more pervasive than the largely impotent or repressed "mockers" in America today. Of course having some of us be xenophobic is kind of a fact of life; in this way, we are balanced, having some uncomfortable things like Guantanamo, but knowing these are the exception to the rule. Yet soon we approach having a majority of the populace treating people with mockery, which quickly escalates into physical form à la Spanish Inquisition or, you might argue, the War on Drugs.

dbust1 | October 30, 2007, 9:29am | #

I think drawing a parallel between the Spanish Inquisition and the war on drugs is a bit much, but more power to you if you can make it stick. I'd like to hear your take on it.

What concerns me is this idea where it's all of a sudden dangerous to mock a person or group for their beliefs. There isn't anything wrong with thinking someone is crazy for believing something. When those thoughts are put into action in order to silence, oppress or harm someone then that's dangerous. But to assume that thoughts inevitably lead to action is ignorant. At least twice on my drive to and from work I want to kill someone who cuts me off or almost causes an accident. But even if I had a gun in my vehicle I wouldn't pull it out and try to kill them. Thoughts are not dangerous, speech is not dangerous. Actions can be, but are not inherently so.

QuietReaderGirl | October 31, 2007, 11:42am | #

There are plenty of politicians who would run on an "impale evildoers" platform if they thought it would bring in the votes. As it is, they cloak the same sentiment in being tough on crime, cleaning up the streets and protecting the country.