Birmingham Vampire

[The Mighty Thor]

Urban myths seem to reveal deep-seated fears and anxieties in society. While usually and often dreadfully lacking the artistic talents of storytellers from bygone ages, from Homer to Mary Shelley, the perpetrators and disseminators of modern urban myths have powerful new tools to help propagate their weird stories. This forum is a safe haven from belief in such tales because unusual claims are challenged and evidence is demanded. But the tenacity and intransigence of the creduloids make them immune to rationality. The legends spread:

Reports of a 'vampire' prowling the streets of Birmingham have struck terror into the locals, even though police say it is a myth. Why do people continue to believe in it? Because, says Stuart Jeffries, they need to.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1392607,00.html

 

[jmercer]

Well, P.T. Barnum didn't say this, but there is a sucker born every minute.

Of course, there's another quote - "Follow the money". I suspect that The Birmingham Evening Mail suddenly experienced a dramatic rise in readership for a while following the initial article.

 

[Azrael 5]

For UK members(of this board not of the Island!)Richard and Judy are covering urban legends-this one was mentioned and debunked -on tomorrow evenings programme.

 

[Goshawk]

That'll take, what, about 30 seconds?