Vampires are the flavour of the month, which is probably why there are so many versions. Paranormal is the new "in thing" in books as well - and has been for a few years.

Look on the bright side, Allen. Vampires that sparkle (a la Twilight) only make it easier for Vampire Hunters to find and stake them.

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"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart

It is not the first time the vampire craze has come around, I remember being a bit vampire crazy when the Lost Boys came out (but then that might have been because of Corey Haim). Back then they were evil though and I gave myself nightmares over Stephen Kings Salems lot and the Lost Boys.

I know back then the attraction for me was getting scared so I really got into all sorts of horror stories.

Later I remember reading the Lestat series but only really enjoyed the first one and it must have been around then that another adaptation of Dracula came out.

I totally missed out on the Buffy craze.

For me the Twilight series was kind of like watching daytime soapies... i just had to know what happened at the end. I have enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series though. The attraction... not sure, I am at a period in my life where I am enjoying light fiction as I am too tired at the end of the day to read anything heavy. I have only just started watching True blood and have been enjoying it (but getting sick of the neverending Jason Stackhouse sex scenes). I dont like what they have done to my favourite charactaer (Sam - a shapeshifter) either.

I really loved both series of Being Human though - this sereies has a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost.

So I cant answer your question, I dont know what the attraction is and I wouldnt class myself as vampire obsessed but I do seem to read/watch a lot of it!

Allen, you might enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uuGvmAxTI

I haven't gotten much into "Twilight" (only read the first book) or any of the current TV shows, but I was a massive fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel, back in the day.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone isn't writing a dissertation about the meaning of vampires in popular literature and culture (heck, it's probably already been done -it goes back to Bram Stoker, after all).

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!

I never got into Buffy or any of the others, but I did like Forever Night.

Still haven't read Twilight.

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Perspective Alters Reality

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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Don't forget the reality tv phase that is more phony than pro wrestling. God, I hope that phase ends soon.

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Perspective Alters Reality

Survivor has been on for nearly 2 decades. 'Reality' shows are cheap and easy to produce, and will continue as long as the owners of the various networks chase the 18-39 male demographic. (Why do you think a lot of formerly cool cable channels have all turned stupid?)

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Benefits, not features; benefits, not features

I join all of you regarding the reality shows! ... or should we call them, "half-reality" shows, as, for me, great part of them is still all made up!

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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!

It's the fakelore vampires that do it for people, and only the more recent interpretations. Those are also the vampires that live for thousands of years (unless they meet vampire killers), burn in sunlight, and so forth.

Dracula is, if you read it without the blinders of the movies, hardly a romantic novel. The Count is a stalker and (in essence) a rapist. He's repellent old satyr when we meet him, and it's only after draining some folks that he gains the semblance of youth. Everything we think we know about Dracula starts with the Dean/Balderston play and goes from there.

Nosferatu started the 'vampires destroyed by sunlight' bit of fakelore. In Dracula, the Count's power is limited in daytime. Whatever form he's in when the sun rises, is the one he's stuck with until sunset. (Stoker does incorporate some authentic vampire lore in Van Helsing's speech.) There's even a scene where the heroes encounter him in daylight. He runs away from them because he's stuck in human form and powerless.

Folklore vampires are not sexy. Some are actual rapists, visiting their wives and assaulting them nightly until they die. All suck the life out of their victims. If they weren't pinned in their coffins by wooden stakes, iron nails, or other means, they would continue their unlife for quite a while. Deprived of food (or finally killed), they decompose and will never rise again.

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Benefits, not features; benefits, not features