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Call for questions: VAMPIRES (Patreon)

Published:
2022-09-23 04:34:18
Edited:
2022-09-23 04:56:41
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Yep. Talking to a scholar in vampire lore. Let’s have those questions, friends.

(Updated to make sure it gets to your inbox!)

Wearing an iron turtleneck,

Ol’ Ward

Comments

Josh Beatty

Since the moon merely reflects the light of the sun, why don't vampires at least need to wear sunblock on moonlit nights?

Ashley Oki

Someone has to ask: how do you feel about what we do in the shadows???? Do you feel it gets the lore right, or that it’s more just comedy?

Isabelle Brooks

Is there any history to Dracula? Was he a real person?

Benjamin Harrison

Could a vegan vampire just drink coconut water/milk and survive just fine?

Michelle Lee

What’s the earliest known origins of vampire lore? And is it something that is broad across many cultures, or does it have more specific origins?

Schmitty Thompson

I would love to hear about the Icelandic "translation" of Dracula and how in the world that happened

sidney

What kind of vampire drinks the most blood?

Ali Vessels

There's so many vampire stereotypes I want to learn the origin of, but what's up with the garlic thing?? Also the idea behind them only being able to enter a home if invited in? Does this apply to all structural buildings? Like, do they have to be invited into the bank? Or just residential buildings?

Angela Clark

If a vampire has a standing invitation into a home /before/ they become a vampire, do they still have to ask?

Lizzy Carr

Why are there so many conflicting stories about what can kill vampires/what they’re immune to? Where did a lot of the classics (garlic, crucifix, stark through the heart) originate from? Or why did they originate?

Christian Krupp

What was the origin of vampires having to be invited in before taking their prey? And/or what determines if someone is just sucked dry/killed versus turned into another vampire?

Jen

How did bats come to be associated with vampires, and why is it assumed they can shape shift into bats?

Ali Vessels

Was Dracula the start of widespread vampire lore, or did it show up in pop culture before that? (As opposed to regional folklore)

Nancy Kay Clark

If vampires were real, and you could be one, would you? Why or why not?

Lizzy Carr

Why do we have such a cultural obsession with vampires? I feel like there’s a new incarnation of them every few years, or they get worked into literally every piece of fantasy media somehow

Sarah Sutcliffe

How many cultures have vampire-esque mythology? What are the common themes, and are there any particular weird and whacky outliers? What's your favourite?

Xavier Fleischood

opinions on the theory that the Cullens are actually Celtic faeries?

Lauren Legg

How do you feel about twilight? Do you love it or shudder with hatred any time it’s mentioned?

Emmalee Jones

Vampire tourism: is there a Disneyland/Burning Man equivalent for fans of the befanged?

Ashley Oki

Have you seen the post about do you think a vampire ever would bite someone who has is like full or caffeine or other drugs/substances/medications and just been like ‘what the fuck????’. I’ve seen people argue that they used to eat Victorian people who had asbestos and stuff so they wouldn’t care, but others say that they would think it’s crazy. Please settle this debate I am dying

Elaina Franklin

Which depiction of vampires in media gets the closest to your ideal version of vampires?

Veronica Popowich

I'm so interested in the stories about people digging up people who had been dead for weeks who they say looked healthy and like they were sleeping and with blood around their mouths or something?? Or did I hallucinate reading about that? Anyway how reliable are those reports/are there any recent ones? Also what diseases most inspired the inception of vampires?? Tuberculosis??

Bonnie Detwiller

What "version" of a vampire in pop culture do you think is the closest to the real thing?

Justin Saucedo

Which do you prefer? Pop out teeth, built in stabby-stabs? Canines, front incisors? Do vampires have to brush their teeth?

Julia Fisher

How many versions of vampire-like creatures are there across the world? I feel like I've heard of a couple mythological creatures that suck blood.

Bronwin

Hi! First time question asker! Please can you talk about Carmilla and how that influenced other vampire tales. Or just talk about Carmilla

Ashley Oki

Someone has to ask: twilight. Just how bad was it? Did it completely ruin the vampire field? Are you mad at the fact that it made werewolves vs vampires a joke? And finally, are you team Edward or Jacob?

Maria Jouravleva

Based on vampire lore, could vampires never have driver's licenses? Would they just have to constantly rely on the generosity of others, well funded public transport, or breaking the law?

Red Cedar

omg. my goth time to shine. Are there huge differences in vampire lore across cultures? If vampires were real, what place or environment do you think they would thrive in? Do all vampires only bite necks, or does some lore indicate they bite elsewhere?

Ashley Oki

Can vampires get diseases from people with blood borne illnesses?

Chris Brewer

Any truth to celebrities having blood transfusions to stay young?

Ali Vessels

Thoughts on the bimboification of vampires? When exactly did they become sexy? Do we have Ann Rice to blame? Is it just because sucking on someone's neck is hot? Who was the first person to say, "yeah they drain your blood, but I'd still fuck 'em"?

corvidthey

How is vampire lore different across the world?

Niquita42

Vampire bats vs the vampire mythology. Who came first? If it was the mythology how did bats get tied in when only three Central American species eat blood?

Dory A Hammersley

My high school English teacher said that Dracula’s particular features were mean to to imply “sexual deviancy.” I remember her particularly saying that the hair on his hands was what people at the time said would occur if a boy masturbates. Is this true?

Ashley Oki

Can vampires get someone pregnant? Do they themselves have blood and therefore can they get erections? Can vampire ovulate or get their period?

Ashley Oki

Can a vampire eat normal food? Do they only drink human blood?

SickSugar

I’ve always wanted to know why with some vampires have to be invited into a house, is it politeness or something else

Ashley Oki

VERY IMPORTANT: how do you feel about vampire bats????

Susan Lin

Are vampires immortal or do they have a lifespan? What is the relationship between vampires and various religions? Did ancient Egyptians ever reference something like a vampire?

Lianne Murray

Long time listener first time question asker: Id love to hear more about how suspected vampires were buried. Ive seen pictures of iron throat bands, or something of that sort, to keep them from rising, what other things were done to suspected vampires?

Ashley Oki

Is the only way to kill a vampire with a stake through the heart? Why a stake through the heart?

Chris Brewer

From blood drinking to bloodletting, what civilization was the most obsessed with blood?

Red Cedar

alright: Lost Boys 1987. would vampires bleed that much when killed?

Evan Davis

Does blood drinking count as cannibalism?

Garvey’s

Why for no reflection?

Kathleen Sachs

When did the first myths of vampirism arise? Was it caused by fears that deceased tuberculosis victims could rise from the dead?

Garvey’s

Is there any indigenous North American lore? Are legacy vampires (like from the show first kill) actually found in legends?

Amesia Doles

Considering vampires are the undead, how the hell are they getting it up so much? So sexy all the time, but there’s no blood pumping in those veins, correct? Or is it just ice cold, but still does the trick? -Meesh

Kathleen Sachs

Your opinion? Vampires that sparkle in the sunlight? How much do you hate them and why? (Just kidding…what are your thoughts on Twilight)?

Daniella Napolitano

What happens to the blood a vampire drinks? Does it stay in their body forever? Most movies yada yadas over this very important question.

Kathleen Sachs

Ever watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Who was your favorite character on the show?

Riikka Puttonen

Please let there be some truly batshit insane facts about Lord Byron for the uninitiated among us.

Kathleen Sachs

What is your favorite movie or TV show featuring vampires?

Ashley Oki

Is them being super pale just because of the lack of sunlight and is there any info on vampires of color?

Ashley Oki

This! Also does it have to be wooden?

Marcelle Slote

what are your thoughts on anne rice's vampirism where apparently part of the process of becoming a vampire is having HORRIBLE diarrhea to rid the body of waste for the change?? personally i hate it. it's interesting for lore but god i hate it why would you do that mrs rice

Rozelyn Hesby

Would love to know more about how we got to the place we are in with modern vampires/lifestyle vampires that feed on energy, etc vs blood? How did that evolve?

peach

ive read a theory (was so long ago idk who by tbh) that monster stories like dracula/ frankenstien/ etc depicted queerness from a horror fantasy lense at the time. i think it can be relatable as a modern audience tbh (although im a drama queen that relates to Kafka so that may be why), but does this actually hold any ground?

Ashley Oki

Why are vampires burned by silver? Where did that myth come from?

Ashley Oki

Are vampires the undead like zombies or are they simply immortal?

Ashley Oki

I had no idea I had so many questions about vampires until right now lol

Rozelyn Hesby

Did porphyria start the vampire lore we all know? How does this play out in history & literature?

Kathleen Sachs

If you had the chance to be turned into a vampire…and achieve immortal life…would you take it? Why or why not?

Aven

Are vampires or some kind of blood drinking figures present in most lore? I know we see flood in most mythologies and religions- do we also see legends of blood drinkers or vampires show up in numerous cultures or is this a western thing?

Kathleen Sachs

Because some people really suck the life right out of you….

Aven

Why did only vampire bats get vampire in their name - I mean you think mosquitos should have been “vampire bugs” what happened?

Aven

What’s with the garlic? Why was that a “repellant” I mean it’s pungent but it’s also delicious so why did they think that would ward off vampires?

Anna Frazier

my boyfriend is wondering “what is nosferatu’s impact on film culture”

BRG

Hey, so why do we like our vamps so homoerotic anyway?

Erin Ryan

^ I second this - any ological basis for garlic? (Also why are vampires always so sensual? Themes of garlic and sensual don’t mix EXCEPT for vampires)

Joe Porfido

Are they able to use their fangs like straws to suck blood or is it that they have to use their mouth

Charlotte Fjelkegård

This please! And is there any culture that doesn't belive in vampires?

Sutton York

Is it true that Lord Byron inspired the first vampire story as part of a contest that also spawned Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? And also what is the deal with Vlad the Impaler

Matt Thompson

With Vlad the Impaler being the inspiration of Dracula, are there any other historical figures the basis of other vampires?

Euan Munro

Was Vlad the Impaler that horrible to start the legend of Dracula? Or was some of the stories of him being a bit inventive?

Andrea Devlin

Do you have a favorite vampire movie? (Secretly hoping that you're a fan of Mel Brooks Dracula Dead and Loving It 😆)

Brynn

Scientifically speaking, is there any reason that drinking human blood could ever be good for someone?

Matt Thompson

Is there any debate over Nosferatu changing how Dracula ended in the "proper" way to kill a vampire?

Jamie Quinn

Have you ever read Dracula by Bram Stoker? If so, any tips for getting through it? I have tried to read it a few times and can’t get past the first 60 pages.

Vivus Ignis

Other vampires! We know (a little) about vampire bats, mosquitos of course, but what other natural vampires are out there?

Serena Palmer

Why can vampires come out at night when moonlight is sunlight that’s bounced off the moon? Won’t their skin still burn?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) Where the heck did all the tropes on vampires come from? Why garlic? Why??? Why transform into bats? (I mean, I would want to be able to turn into a bat too, they're so cute! What did you think of the chiropterology episode? :D ) 2) What comes up in horror genre media can tell you things about what anxieties the culture that produced it is experiencing at that time. What do vampires and their various iterations over time have to say about what was/is going on at various points in history? 3) What are some cool versions of vampire myths outside of the western canon? 4) Revenants vs vampires: what's the difference? 5) How queer are vampires in historical literature? (Asking for Carmilla.) How did this reflect historical attitudes or maybe the author's personal life? 6) Do you have recommendations for old vampire stories we should read? 7) Do vampires have a preferred blood type like mosquitos? Actually, do mosquitos bite vampires? Are mosquitos the ultimate evil of the world? 8) What makes a good vampire story? (Or what makes a bad vampire story?) 9) If they only ever drink blood, do vampires poop? 10) Can you boop a vampire on the snoot?

TC

This seems to be a certain level of sexuality in vampire folklore. To that end, why don't they seem to ever get anyone pregnant? Also, "vampire" or "vampyre"?

Amber Dickerson

Why are we so fascinated with the undead-vampires, zombies, etc? How much blood can someone drink before it makes them ill?

Alyssa Elliott

A “bit” inventive?! I see what you did there. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

Heather Heater

long time listener and first time question asker — If vampires were real, how might they benefit society? Like, what jobs would vampires be ideal for? How does vampire “dna” replicate? If vampires are dead, what do you call a vampire that’s been killed, and presumably, died for real-real? If you could pass an IRB to do research on a vampire, what would you most want to know or understand about them and why? How might you apply your research to issues facing non-vampires? What do you think vampires can teach humans about?

Sarah Webber

What is considered the most Boss level/ scary AF vampire type? Are they considered a type of fae or just basically a zombie with dental issues?

Laurel

What's up with werewolves vs vampires? Is that a thing or just a teen movie plot point? Also I heard that sunlight killing vampires is relatively new and came about because the movie Nosferatu needed an ending - flim or flam?

Emily Layfield

If vampires are supposed to be stuck at their physical state at the time of being turned into vampires, how can they learn and make new memories? Wouldn't that constitute a change to their brains?

Jack Sparks

I know a lot of modern vampire lore is in fanfiction these days- if you were gonna read some fanfic abt a vampire wich vampire would it be about?

Em Holt

where did the idea of garlic being harmful to vampires come from?

Em Holt

where in the world and when was the first ever mention of vampires

Cat Baklarz

Okay so this isn't a question but a few years ago I learned about this company called vampire wines and how they were trying to sue everyone who is making a vampire cocktail or otherwise vampire themed food. And I found that kind of ridiculous but it also got them press coverage which figure is the point. And this goes into the larger topic of how vampires are currently sexy but were originally just corpses that people felt a little bit funky about

Cat Baklarz

1. Can we please talk about gay vampires (carmilla... I'm sure there are others?) 2. Nosferatu refresher? There's a good words to that effect podcast episode about Nosferatu as well that I might look at if we don't cover it here.

Cat Baklarz

3. Why are we really into vampires and werewolves and 'sexy' monsters in the 2000s but not like mummies or chupacabra? I know that zombies had a little arc but I feel like vampires have stuck around for the long run.

Cat Baklarz

4. What is your favorite version of vampires? Do you like a vampires that sparkle or vampires that can be vegetarian? Vampires that are brainless monsters that have no sympathetic human traits? Vampire bunnies?

zombot

Since vampires don't cast a reflection, would you have to photograph one with a non-(D)SLR camera?

Caylie Evans

Ok so, the shift from vampires as a tool of horror to a tragic hero/romantic interest, does it have a social cause? Does it tell us something about culture? What’s the deal? Also, I know the legends have shifted with each reiteration, but was there a think with counting? Other than on Sesame Street?

zombot

Talk about the Chinese Hopping Vampire (a.k.a. "Jiangshi")!

Cat Baklarz

5. Do cryptids like the Jersey devil fall into the vampire category or are these completely separate? 6. I feel like this will be covered in the interview but how do you get into studying vampires? Who pays for people to study vampires? How does studying vampires help society, besides being a f***ing awesome interest and knowledge doesn't always need to have a straightforward application? Is it hard to get funding for vampire research?

zombot

Whereas zombies & werewolves can "turn" people into one of them by biting, with a vampire (in some tales such as Bram Stoker's Dracula) a vampire and a non-vampire have to mutually drink of each other. Why?

Cat Baklarz

So many questions that I didn't know we NEED the answers to

zombot

Which came first, Nosferatu or Dracula? Or are they one in the same?

zombot

Where the hell does "BLEH!" come from? When did Dracula first say "BLEH"?

Dionne Needham

When and where did Dhampirs start turning up in folklore? Was there something going on for them to start turning up in stories?

zombot

They drink the juices of Impossible burger patties.

Dionne Needham

Does any wooden stake work or does it need to be aspen or a specific type of tree wood for the killing blow? Does it need to be a blow to the heart and wood a splinter do of the right wood?

zombot

I think it has to be a private domicile or dwelling, not a place of business or a public institution.

Alexandre Catulle

I was a big Buffy fan (please don't ruin it for me 🙏🥺) No seriously, how much of an impact did it have on the vampire history ?

Cat Baklarz

I have something that might help you? A little while ago I was dead set on reading HP Lovecraft (who signed out is super super racist and not awesome) and so I had the physical copy of the book in front of me but couldn't actually pay attention unless I went on YouTube and read along to a dramatic reading, with different voices and sound effects and the works. I'm sure since Dracula is so popular there's probably one for it too!

Specs Owl

What's the best way to deal with an energy vampire, like Colin Robinson in the What We Do In The Shadows Tv series? Is it true that the first vampire novel was about lesbian vampires, and was that supposed to make them scarier to people at the time?

Dionne Needham

Your 80, you look like a teen. Would you still be interested in a teenager? Eg does your brain remain stuck in the age you were killed? It's the one of the things that bothered me about twilight, that and the sparkly vampires.

zombot

no because DMVs are closed at night

Naomi Jane

+1 for this question! The BBC did a series a couple of years ago with Claes Bang as Dracula and it was pretty excellent, wondering what's on the "worth a watch/read" list from an expert!

Mare

What's your favorite type of vampire/it's folklore origin? (Mine is obviously a moroi). Is there any that are just so farfetched/mainstreamed that you're sick of hearing about them?

Mare

A second question! Do you agree that an Aye Aye looks like a cat that got bit by a vampire and in the middle of its transformation just said "fuck it"? (Thank you to True Facts About the Aye Aye video for the comparison!)

zombot

There are so many "rules" when it comes to vampires. One of these I heard about is that vampires cannot cross over running water. So, bridges over rivers and creeks I understand. But what about underground waterlines? Indoor plumbing? Street gutters on a rainy day?

Olivia French

FTQA g'day! Id love to know where did so many of the vampire tropes come from? Like the aversion to garlic or not having a reflection. And what's the weirdest trope (and reason behind it) that you've heard of, aside from vampires sparkling in the sun?

zombot

What are your top 3 vampire movies of all time?

Gene Genoar

FTQA (i think) People were tried and killed as witches (e.g. Salem). Were there any such mass social events about vampires?

zombot

Who was the greatest Dracula actor of all time and why is it Christopher Lee? (Peter Cushing played Van Helsing)

Zoe

FTQA! I feel like when people think vampire the automatic brain image is of the stereotypical Bram Stoker Dracula figure, but are there other 'vampire" folklores from other regions of the world you think should get star billing?

zombot

Is it true that vampire bats don't "suck" blood, they just make a little cut with their pointy teef and lap up the bloodmeal as it trickles out of the skin of cows & other such livestock? (It's actually quite cute. Bats are quite cute.)

zombot

What did you think of the following vampire movies: Blacula (1972), Fright Night (1985), Once Bitten (1985), Vamp (1986), A Vampire In Brooklyn (1995), From Dusk Til Dawn (1996), Blade (1998), Queen of the Damned (2002), Let the Right One In (2008), The Invitation (2022)

zombot

Tell us your favorite vampire joke.

zombot

What even is the origin of the word "vampire"?

zombot

Where did the whole idea of the "head vampire" originate? (i.e. kill the head vampire and all its underlings die/ turn back to human) For me it was from the movie The Lost Boys.

Dynamic Duchess Cosplay

If vampires were to exist, do you think that it would be each bloodsucker for themselves or would they form some sort of society with government and dumb taxes?

Sarah Endres

Can other animals get turned into vampires in the lore? I understand witches have their familiars etc but does Dracula have his own good boi who will join him on his blood raids??

Ella

I recently heard that the vampire legend is heavy linked to people with rabies infections. How much truth is there in this, and did all vampire stories have some kind of catalyst or could it just be convergent imagination?

Lex Clearwater

-what are your favorite vampire traits/bits of lore that often get missed or left out from stories? -what do you think about the real people calling themselves vampires and consuming human blood? -ive heard that vampirism came about as sort of a metaphor for illnesses like consumption/tuberculosis, and bits of lore like garlic warding them away is from garlic being anti-inflammatory / anti-bacterial. how true is this? -were vampire-like stories created independently of each other in various cultures, or passed around through travel?

Stefanie Grade

First time question asker (medium time listener ;-) ) Hematophagy is not uncommon in (human) dishes, some integrate animal blood (e.g. in Germany mainly in sausage dishes). How long would a human get by on a blood-based diet before encoutering deficiencies?

Jade Pollard

What are your favourite vampire myths from around the world? How is it that across continents and cultures vampires are a commonality?

Holly Spencer

What's the fear of garlic all about?!

Stephanie Leské

Which pop culture vampire teeth aspect is most accurate to actual lore! You see some TV shows with full sets of sharp blood sucking teeth and some cartoon portrayals of vampires with the two canine sharp teefs? Also were you team BUFFY or team ANGEL? ALSO! Is there any suggestion that a modern day vampire would be affected by humans consuming plant based diets? 🧛‍♀️

Sonjabird

I absolutely love the comedy What We Do In the Shadows. There is a character Colin Robinson who is an energy vampire. Are those something they made up for the show, or have they been around?

ReigningEmily

Bram Stoker made Transylvania vampire headquarters and Anne Rice had New Orleans, what modern location or city do you think would be the best habitat for vampires?

Kevin Glover

What do vampires do about existential ennui?

ConnieConnieBoBonnie

My 5 year old loves the show vampirina. What should she watch next? Is there a recommended progression of vampire material I should follow for her? Do you have a favorite podcast that features vampire lore?

Clairy Davey

Excited first time question asker and delighted first time turtle neck wearer (for this autumn). I heard people for real went vampire hunting ... How long did people feel that was a noble thing to do?? What made them stop? So curious about the minds and influences of vampire hunters.

Mandy Hobson

First time question asker - why are vampires so damn sexy??? Why are we attracted to something so dangerous?

Nina Giacobbe

Favorite modern adaptations of the vampire myth? I'm about to finish Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian and I'm loving all the info she packs into it. Btw I love your creative interpretations on my name but it's pronounced "juh-KOH-bee". You're a gem.

Becks Woodruff

What's their favorite and least favorite version of vampires (movie, book, TV show, etc.) Also are they reading Dracula Daily? What's their favorite version of Dracula specifically?

Manasvi Verma

Why is wooden stake to the heart the one way to kill a vampire? Are there other murder methods in vampire lore around the world?

Sam Bringman

Does the popularity of vampires rise and fall in relation to social events happening at any given time? I’ve read about how zombies start showing up in media when racial tensions are high in America. What social event could we tie vampires to?

Becks Woodruff

Oooh, this! Also would specifically love to hear thoughts on queer interpretations of Dracula in connection with Bram Stoker's own queerness! And/or any lit crit recs on this topic. 👀

Becks Woodruff

What's the least known bit of vampire lore? Is there something about vampires that didn't make it into the modern consciousness/canon or a unique trait that only shows up in one or two iterations (like sparkling, for example)?

RJ Doidge

In the way that a lactose intolerant individual will still eat cheese, what’s the likelihood that a vampire still consumes garlic and “suffers?”

Christina Johnson

What is the history of vampires? How did this idea start and evolve with time?! Is it still a part of any cultures today.. other than movies/ tv/entertainment that is!??

Brandi Harbaugh

Why are people, like myself, so enthralled by the idea of vampires? I get the idea of the unknowing/living forever stuff, but is there more to it than that? Also would like to know how you feel about some stories that are saying that vampires try not to consume human blood by surviving on animal blood?

Hope

What was the first example of vampire lore and where did it come from? What’s the most common trope in vampire stories?

Miriya

Are there any medical conditions associated with vampire lore? I've heard anemia and porphyria but I don't know if those are accurate.

Becks Woodruff

Google Dracula Daily! Since Dracula is epistolary, it starts the first day the first letter/diary entry is written and emails you the novel in real time from May-November. It's chronological but out of order from the original novel, if that matters to you. But it's how I've finally buckled down to read it this year. 🙂

Average_pi

How would a vamitre eat me? Have you heard of the book where the vampires drink the ink off book pages? Would the vampires need to eat 3 meals a day? Does it a

Shelby Smith

What is your favorite scene from Dracula, dead and loving it?

Jessii Arp

Do you think Dracula gets all the credit while Carmilla is lost to most cuz the patriarchy? 🙄

Jacob Bowman

are you watching what we do in the shadows?

Super_Sara

What’s the deal with vampires and garlic?

Scot Nickels

As a farmer I’m interested to know where the connection between Vampires and Garlic originated? Is it just the smell, or was there something else? If any of you are having vampire problems, I have garlic!

Eric Hanson

Excited about this topic! The remains of a female “vampire" have been discovered in 17th-century graveyard by archeologists in Poland. Why was there a padlock attached to her big toe? What lore is involved? Thanks!

AussieColin

Big fan of the old TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", so I've been hoping you'd do this someday! :-) Twenty years ago I found a wonderful tongue-in-cheek mathematical paper by Brian Thomas, who was a PhD candidate at Stanford when he wrote it. It's an analysis of the predator/prey mathematical model of Vampire Ecology in the Jossverse. Basically, it proposes a mathematical model of the vampire/human population in Sunnydale, looking at the long term prospects; what population is required to support the number of vampires shown in BtVS and is it stable long term? It's really interesting and well enough written that (IMHO) non-maths people can follow it if you just pretend the equations aren't there. :-) I've been so hoping to pass it on to a larger audience who might appreciate it! See http://www.hphomeview.com/Tips/Vampire%20Ecology%20in%20the%20Jossverse.pdf

Lucian Stern

Why did we go through a phase of being super horny for vampires? Is the Twilight saga to blame or is it something more?

Lisa Smith

Would there be vampires without vampire bats?

Kylie Wash

THIS IS AMAZING 🙌🏻

Ashley E

Vampire lore always has them transforming into bats… question is: how can one human-sized vampire turn into one singular bat? Are they exempt from the laws of conservation of mass? Why not turn into one human-sized bat or many regular-sized bats?

Kylie Wash

And was that just the most recent phase? It seems like we cycle through this every couple of decades 🤔 sans sparkles

Nicole Losurdo

What is the earliest evidence of vampire lore? What groups were the first to have vampires or was the idea popping up in multiple groups?

Kylie Wash

How does vampire lore compare across cultures? Is it consistently found? And what can the variations of each legend tell us about the culture?

daniel schmaniel

did tuberculosis actually contribute to the vampire myth, or is that itself a myth?

Laura M

Why are they sexy?

Jacob Elsbree

Less of a question more of a statement. I always thought that a vampire would bite you and then suck your blood THROUGH their teeth. Like the teeth were straws, or they’re drawing blood with a syringe. I was informed that this is not the case in a not-so-gentle way by my partner recently. Am I the only one who thought that??

Laura M

Do you have opinions on how many fangs would be best for blood drinking? There's the traditional 2 fangs on the top, or sometimes you also see 2 on the bottom. Then in Supernatural, for example, the vampires have an entire second set of retractable teeth for feeding, which is scarier and seem like they'd be more efficient.

Kelly King

I came here to ask this! Vampires are my #1 supernatural crush. Is the sexy vibe just a way to lure in prey?

Kelly King

Have you ever played Vampire: The Masquerade? It's an RPG and the way the writers incorporate supernatural abilities is really cool. I love that they take something from many different myths to bring it together.

Eric Craft

So many questions.... Can vampires be in the light (a little bit) or is sunshine deadly? Are they really afraid of crosses? What about menorahs? Do they really sleep in coffins or do they prefer feather beds?

Laura M

If you were going to be a vampiric creature, would you go more traditional or would you want to be something extra horrifying like the Manananggal?

Shannon Siegel

Where does vampire lore start? Is it in a particular culture or does it have origins of similar beings in multiple cultures?

Shelby Mills

Hrar me out...if vampires don't have circulating blood...how do they get an election? (Referencing sexy vampire scenes here, for context).

Alex Parrish

Where did the idea that Vampires have to be invited in start? What about the idea that they can glamour/hypnotize their victims?

Sydney Toups

There are so many different versions of what abilities or weaknesses vampires have, I would guess because of different culture's stories. Is there a definitive definition ? Or is it more of a template?

Jessica Janssen

How have blood sucking or vampire like animals influenced what we think as a vampire?

Shelby Ruff

Did the concept of vampires come from some more plausible natural occurrence blown out of proportion because of fear? Weird insect borne diseases or something?

Shelby Ruff

Why are modern vampires more like glampires? Consuming people is not very cultured so how did that image start?

Alan

First time question asker here! Are Vampires and Werewolves enemies in lore? I've seen them depicted as enemies, allies, and even as subjugated servants (Vampires controlling Werewolves).

Shelby Ruff

I bet so. Before Twilight there was Interview with a Vampire and Blade.

Laura Mitten

What’s the oldest known story of a vampire? Anything predating Lord Byron (i.e. lore spread by word of mouth, mysterious wounds explained, etc)?

Laura Mitten

Thoughts on a vampire/werewolf hybrid a la The Vampire Diaries?

Michael MacLeod

Why are vampires allergic to garlic? Were vampires always considered a romantic character in stories or is that a more recent phenomenon (ie. Twilight, Vampire Diaries, etc.)

Dantooine

What is your favorite vampire movie?!

Dantooine

Are all vampires incredibly fast and strong?

Brittany Peek

Are there any science-based facts that help explain the folklore origins of vampire weaknesses, such as : garlic, stakes, sunlight, lack of reflection in a mirror, etc.?

Sivvy

Vampires not being visible in a mirror? I like to think it is because mirrors were made using silver, and since silver repels evil (apparently) - boom! No reflection! Thoughts?

Celeste

Did vampire bats get discovered before vampires came into lore, or were they named after vampires after witnessing their behaviors?

Swoon With Us

Why do so many vampire stories get erotisized/ turn sexy? Having my life stolen bloodily by a 500 year old cannibal is not hot for me. What’s up with that? Why is that a thing?

Alia Myers

So theyre real right?

Melanie Metzger

I want to jump in on the Garlic question. What's up with it since there's so much garlic in eastern European foods that it seems odd that they would be aginst it

Alia Myers

What is the most accepted "vampire" in lore? Do they burn in the sun? Does garlic work? Irvine? Stake to the heart? Sleeping in coffins?

Alia Myers

When did we start seeing the tide change away from vampires being scary horror creatures in pop culture?

Alia Myers

How do you feel about twilight vampires?

Alia Myers

What / when is the first vampire story?

Alia Myers

WHY are we obsessed w vampires? I get it but i dont get it

Alia Myers

What is the purpose of vampires in lore (ie as a metaphor, a warning, a symbol?)?

Alia Myers

How do vampires suck blood? Is it just bite and suck the way we would or do they have an additional mechanism acquired through the vampirification process?

Alia Myers

Do vampires have blood?

Kaitlyn Oaks

This isn’t really a question, but I’ve been reading Dracula through Dracula daily and I did not realize how many blood transfusions happened in this book! With no regard for blood type, which I know they didn’t know about yet, but it’s wild!

Marie

Why do almost every culture have some sort of vampire like creature in their stories.

Sh4rkH4ts

What is/would be nutritionally valuable about blood for vampires?

Shattered World MMO

What pieces of lore are consistent in all vampire stories?

Alia Myers

Can we talk about vampire bodily processes?What parts of their body are"dead" and what is still functioning? They dont age, and theyre effectively dead. They can bone. they talk and they obviously have some kind of metabolic system since they need blood for strength. So they also have a functioning musculoskeletal system.... But they dont breathe? No bloodflow? What parts of their body are dead and what is still functioning?

Keri Overall

That's exactly what I was wondering! What stories of vampires were there before Polidori's "The Vampyre"?

Kaitlin

When and why did we kinky-fy vampires?

Elizabeth Reed

Where did the original story about vampire-like creatures come from, and why?

Swisscheese Jess

First time question asker. In the movie "underworld" they bring back a council vampire to live by injecting blood into his body. How contradictory is this to other lores? Can vampires be "preserved" and later brought back to life?

Nikki DeMarco

omg, so many questions, where to start, where to start. do vampires pee or poop? i would assume they pee. or is it like they start to deflate like a balloon and then the blood they take refills them?

Nikki DeMarco

romance novels are full of vampire lore, do you have a favorite fictional vampire world?

Danae DeJournett

I don’t know if it’s been mentioned, but let’s talk about the crazy New England vampire craze. It lasted longer than the witch trials and stemmed from tuberculosis outbreaks. Specifically, let’s talk about the extreme way that ‘vampires’ were handled in Rhode Island. I think the person I’m thinking of’s name was Mercy? That is a wild story… ALSO please expand more upon the facts of how these New England vamps were dealt with. Without telling the best (worst) ways, I think they used to dig bodies up and turn them face down, for example. ALSO also, would you consider a chupacabra a vampire or is vampirism only considered to be vampirism if the subject is human?

Angalina Taylor

How accurate are the twilight vampires? And how does every culture have a version of a vampire. Name pronounced Ohn -ga -Lina

Nikki DeMarco

are vampires really much stronger than humans? if so, is it because of the liquid diet? maybe our nutritious blood is a super food?

Joel Henderson

Are vampires a universal cultural phenomenon, or is it not a thing in large parts of the globe?

Nikki DeMarco

is their cell structure different in someway to make them immortal?

Joel Henderson

My dentist thinks I don't floss, but I do, everyday, even when I am so tired. Do vampires need to floss?

Nikki DeMarco

do vampires ever need antidepressants? seems like they would get lonely

Joel Henderson

"Dad, that's his crotch." Quoth Lisa to Homer, when Homer is slaying vampire Mr. Burns. Please use this clip in the episode.

Nikki DeMarco

is their capacity to learn new information infinite? or do their brains have a threshold that can’t be passed?

Danae DeJournett

I was wondering if anyone else would have the same question as me. You didn’t hallucinate. It was a New England thing and I think the last ‘vampire’ was ‘killed’ not too far back from modern day!

Terena

Why are vampires considered sexy? What makes them irresistible? Does blood change their pheromones or is it magic? Is it just our culture that makes death and sex a turn on?

Jenna Catalano

On the docuseries "Dark Tourist" people who identify as real-life vampires were interviewed. What do you think/ have you studied these kinds of people before?

Alphabet

Read a story once about a vampire that was just a black spot on ruins in Ireland that sucked the life force out of people. So...how does vampire lore differ across various cultures?? Is it tied to Eastern Europe because of Bram Stoker or because my people are a spectacularly pessimistic bunch? Also please PLEASE try to get this scholar to comment on latent gay/homosexual themes in vampire lit (Stoker, Rice, etc.). I'm SO excited about this one.

Sharon Wasko

I read something recently that said the Bat Thing comes from Vlad the Impaler unleashing rabid bats in a moonlight battle. I hope it's true, but also it seems totally unrelated to the existence of vampire bats! Also, were there actually rumors that Vlad was a vampire or did Stoker just make that up?

Kiana Peters

Top 3 Favorite vampire shows or movies??

Felix Wolfe

What drives our obsession with vampires?

Felix Wolfe

What makes vampires so prolific throughout history?

Felix Wolfe

Is there an explanation for the cultural sexualisation and attraction to vampires?

Joanne Frankland

What’s the oldest vampire myth? When and why did it originate?

Andy Beyer

What are your thoughts on the links between vampires and rabies?

Ma's Nature Walks

Burning question - DO VAMPIRES SPARKLE?! Are Twilight and body glitter really efforts by the vampire world to infiltrate humanity? (My name's pronounced like Emily, and I don't really believe in vampire conspiracies, but it's fun to think about.)

Alicen Meysing

Have either Dad Ward or the Ologist watched What We Do in the Shadows?! I love both the movie and the tv show :)

Aeriel Belk

Where did the idea that vampires bite your neck come from? Didn't they originally just like sit on your chest and give you tuberculosis?

Aeriel Belk

What is the best (read: most accurate to the original lore) adaptation of a vampire story? Is the Pallbearers Club version pretty good?

Aeriel Belk

Why are we scared of vampires? They are so wimpy, you just have to stake them you don't even need silver or anything! And they're allergic to the sun!

Paul Cirillo

Why did vampires become the "sexy" monster?

Aeriel Belk

tbh I was gonna ask this too... I was also gonna ask about periods but it felt like too far lol

Aeriel Belk

Question for Dadward - did you post this at midnight to capture the spookiness of the topic, because you are secretly a vampire, or just as a serendipitous coincidence?

Jasuttaja

Why do so many modern depictions of vampires seem to draw a lot of traits from succubi/incubi in regards to sexualization? Are modern vampires just a crossbreed?

Jamie Aycock

I've always been curious about those "Vampire Hunting Kits" that turn up on antiques TV shows, etc. Are these for real? Did such things exist?

Nikki DeMarco

how many vampires contract HIV or blood borne pathogens? and how does that compare to the general population of nonvamps?

Rachel von Morrigan

Where can I get my hands on one of those super old vampire slaying kits? Because I NEED it! Also, what’s the deal with garlic? I feel like someone just had stinky garlic breath and got called out on it and they were like: Oh, vampires haaaaate this.

Emily K

Question from my sister Madison: How did the myth of vampires start?

BolognaShoes

Bats... my toddler is obsessed with bats and recently Halloween and naturally vampires have entered the party. How did the vampire lore intersect with bats?

April Desjardins

This is my first Patreon question ever! Can vampires eat food ( ie: bread and pasta) or are they traditionally just on a diet of blood?

Amelia Maxfield

First time question asked here :) When were bats incorporated into the vampire mythos, or has that always been apart of the lore?

Deacon Raid

I hope you talk about how vampire bats got retroactively inserted into the vampire lore after Spanish missionaries learned of them

Timmy H.

Thoughts on Twilight?

Timmy H.

What is with our new uptick vampire themes in shows and movies?

Cate Muenker

What’s your favorite vampire saga or movie? Also, tell me about Vlad the Impaler and how he became connected to vampire lore.

Nikademus Cuellar

Have vampires always been depicted with canines? Wouldn't a mosquito mouth part be scarier and maybe more effective?

samantha tovey

When did the popular conception of vampires go from monsters to ~sexy~ monsters? Were people out there writing Dracula fan fic?

Thomas Beckett

What's the real history of Elizabeth Báthory? Is she the victim of a smear or actually smeared in blood?

Alex Joseph

Why are they such sex icons?

Rachael Gardner

INCREDIBLE! Do you listen to Buffering the Vampire Slayer? I found that pod at the same time as Ologies, so this is topic is a big moment for me

Rachael Gardner

Have we seen moral panics around cultural vampire phenomena? My Christian parents didn't allow Buffy in our house (so naturally I watched it elsewhere). I think they viewed it as occult, evil, and corrupting. Have there been similar reactions to, say, Stoker's Dracula or other works?

Feye

Which is the first vampire? And do we know the truth behind this first vampire?

Kathleen Deyling

Why do so many people find vampires sexy, and was it like this since Bram first wrote his book?

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Let’s talk Gothic Lit: Vampires. Sexual repression. Menstruation. DISCUSS. 🩸

Shelby Reardon

Was there ever a time in history when people genuinely believed people around them were Vampires? Like the bloodsucker version of the Salem Witch Trials?

Cece Tincknell

First time question asker! Is it true that both vampire and werewolf lore can be traced back to stories of people infected with rabies? Werewolves makes sense but vampires seems like a stretch of the imagination.

Pavka34

How did Vlad the Impaler get conflated with vampires?

Pavka34

Also, are vampires from a particular culture or are the found across the world? Were vampire bats in South America just a coincidence? Did they hear the stories and figured they’d try some of that?

Rachel Murdock

Are there vampire archetypes in other non-European cultures? Most of what I've seen/read has a strong Eurocentric focus

Hannah Boyd

First time time question asker! Are vampires repelled by just garlic or all alliums? It would be pretty funny if they were scared of scallions

Alejandra

Hi hi! First time question asker, where does the idea that vampires can turn into bats come from?

Jeanette-o-saur

Please talk about the ways vampire lore has been used to drive social divisions/racism etc. I know it has/had a lot of use in anti-Semitism (looks pointedly at count chocula), but I'm sure there's more. Why are there so many conspiracy theories that end up with elite people drinking blood? Also maybe can we do a conspiracy-ology episode one day?

Dave O

Did Bram Stoker create the modern vampire? How has vampire-lore evolved in the modern era? Which iteration of the vampire folk-lore do you find the most frightening?

Cynthia F

Famous female vampires please!

Jean Pompeo

What does research about real life vampires such as vampire bats, mosquitoes, ticks, leeches, or the vampire squid focus on? Are there things we could learn about treating blood or extracting blood (perhaps for medicinal purposes) by studying these animals? Is there research focusing on creating a synthetic blood that is accepted by any blood type to use in blood transfusions (and to not have to rely on blood donations)? Why is the sight of blood so often terrifying?

Emily Davies

What do the people of Transylvania think about the myths and their country’s association with it? I bet they’re lovely people without a man elongated canine in sight!

Mark Hewlette

I read a book that told of a horrific true story about Countess Elizabeth Báthory. How true is it that the legend of vampires stemmed from this story?

Trevor Doty

What do you know about the origin of theLa Chupacabra (goatsucker) legend of South America? If you had to pick someone most likely to be a vampire, who would it be? I for one think it’s probably Elon Musk, or maybe this guy I guided down the river once that was allergic to alliums and wore a lot of sunscreen

Between Dumplings

As a child I watched Dark Shadows. Of course, I grew up and realized that George Hamilton in love at first bite is the ultimate sexeh undead. What did Anne Rice get right?

Abby

Very important question- how accurate is Hotel Transylvania?? Would vampires actually be able to have kids?

Ayshia Yaeger

Omg I almost forgot it was spooky season and that's why we're treated to such wonderful, spooky ologies 💀🖤 How many different cultures have stories of vampires?? "Asia" they/them!

Peri

Other than Rabies and Tuberculosis are there any other medical conditions associated with vampirism?

Popita

Skeletons have been found in Europe with bricks in their mouth and sickles fastened to them to prevent the dead from rising again. What were the practices of other cultures when it comes to burying those believed to be vampires?

Jenika

First time question asker! Does the lore touch on how vampires ward off blood borne diseases?

Queen Jean

First time question asker: let's talk about vampires in film and television. Do you enjoy watching vampire-themed movies or tv shows or does it drive you batty (pun intended)? Why? Buffy the Vampire Slayer (movie and/or tv) vs. Twilight?

Margo

What is the history/origin behind the idea that garlic repels vampires?

Margo

Is there any lore to back up the idea of vampire (from twilight) being sparkly or was that just something made up by Stephanie Meyers?

Sierra Scales Exotics

Do vampires in general TRY to make new vampires, or is it more often a mistake? It would seem like a competition issue if there were too many in one spot. On that same note, do they live in covens or are they more of a "lone wolf" type?

Larissa Parsons Vafiades

Do you think the sparkliness of Meyers' vampires will become as core to vampire lore as the additions of Anne Rice and Bram Stoker have been?

Deli Dames

nowadays, vampires have a reputation for being attractive (maybe beginning with Anne Rice?). The old school vampires like Vlad the Impaler weren't known for being handsome were they?

Mx. Artemisia

First time question asker: Why is Carmilla a queer story rather than Laura being a boy narrator/Carmilla being a boy vampire? Is this where we get the homophobic narrative that queeress is a contagious illness?

Corey

Where and when did the lore originate, why don't I see non-male representation in Vampire media from ye ol' times, Thoughts on whether a vampire could be "vegetarian", and should they be able to transform into bats? What would happen to their clothes? What are their non negotiable "special traits": what makes a Vampire and Vampire against some other blood sucking creature, and would they rot (and smell like it- I imagine them to be musty). Thank You for accepting my dump of super basic questions 💜

Willow Hall

Are there any other animals associated with vampires other than bats?

Michele Victoria Helen Kraft

What's the deal with vamps and werewolves? Are they friends or enemies? Frenemies? They war with each other in Underworld, they tolerate each other in Buffy and can be pals. And sometimes vamps use them for protection..

Bennett Vanderbosch

Settle a bet: Is Buffy the Vampire Slayer the best vampire-based TV show, yes or yes?

alicia t

PLEAAAASE....tell us about different types of vampires found around the world and which one is your fave!! plus which movie vamp/vamps are your fave...(mine=WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS!!!! *movie not show*) thank you thank you!! keep that breath garlicky!!

Sam Taylor

Favorite tv or movie rendition?? Toss up for me of what we do in the shadows and Buffy

Sam Taylor

How many different cultures has a version of a vampire

Trevor Doty

Where do hell hounds come from? Are they purebred or are they more like reservation dogs that you pick up from the 7th circle k gas station of hell? What do they eat? Would they play fetch ever, because it seems like you’d have a lot of down time if you were immortal, so you’d have to pass the time somehow. Speaking of, what do vamps do for fun? Do they have hobbies like woodworking or painting?

Shelby Smith

Are there gay vampires? And I want to know about vampires outside Transylvania.

Shelby Smith

How do you make money as a vampire lore professional?

Lauren Cooper

Do vampires prefer different blood types? If so, how do they know?

Lauren Cooper

How do vampires deal with Bloodborne pathogens?

Malorie Albee

Many mythical creatures are based on real creatures or natural phenomena that were poorly understood at the time. Is there any sort of real basis to the myth of vampires?

Malorie Albee

In the news, we occasionally see examples of "vampire burials" that include knives, stakes, or large boulders placed on the head/neck to prevent their rising from the dead. How common do we think this practice was in the past?

Claire Norrell

Can we talk about deviant burials? How common are they? Is there a time that most of them come from? Are they seen across Europe? Is there anywhere else they show up?

Gwen Zimmer

Who is the greatest vampire of all time and why is is Jackie Daytona?

Robin Kuehn

Why are vampires associated with Romania so much? How many cultures have mythologies/stories of vampires?

Pacheecha

Favorite vampire in film? Klaus Kinski, Gary Oldman, Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe, Maggie Cheung? There are so many! And how many vampire films have you seen and have you counted them? Does it ever annoy you that vampires went from creepy traditional folklore to angst ridden shimmery teenagers?

Pacheecha

How about the invitation thing and where did that originate? That seems to have vanished in modern culture vampire lore.

Maralyn Doering

Is there any explanation for the occurrence of vampire lore across cultures and time? It seems like various cultures across the world have some sort of vampire adjacent lore.

Janell Faraj

If ever there was a perfect time to be a first time asker... My girlfriends and I are in Santa Cruz watching The Lost Boys. ........what's with garlic and vampires?

AussieColin

Most of the 'powers' that vampires have make sense in a way, given their nature. Thrall, changing to a bat, active at night etc. What has always puzzled me though it that they can't be seen in a mirror. How did this evolve culturally? Why would this be seen as a logical attribute?

AussieColin

LOL They're dead! They can't get any sicker. :-)

glittertornado

A question from a friend, since I can never think of one, what are vampires like in non-European countries? (From me) What are the most popular vampires in Africa? Or any Native American stories? Thanks! Love the show!!

Kate Shaw

Some pop culture representations of vampires can be pretty flamboyant or campy. Is there a relationship between vampire mythology and queerness?

Ira Gray

What are the vibes on the origin of vampire myths? I heard it came from rabies, is that true?

Ira Gray

Also do they know about daily dracula???

Shawn Steffan

Great topic, here! There are so many representations of vampires, but they're all vehicles in some way for human longing and fear. Aren't they just walking /flying metaphors? The movie that always gets me is "Let Me In," with Chloe Grace Moretz as a child vampire. The reason it scares me so much is that it strikes me as so realistic. Spoiler-ish: this child vampire is hundreds of years old and has learned that in order to deal with the many mundane yet serious aspects of being a vampire, you need help. So she finds sad young boys who fall in love with her and basically devote their lives to taking care of her. Then she moves on to the next one. The whole movie is the story of one of these transitions. It's done with real warmth as well as horror. Imagine that your blood is never touched by this sweet, affectionate vampire, but all the days of your life are drained away. A really big metaphor there.

Kristina Salsman

Love this topic! And would love to know how the lore differs between cultures, and how many cultures have vampire-like stories. Also curious if and how vampires are connected to other stories or fears, like demons and the devil.

Kristen Fuller

Are vampires only a western cultural phenomenon? Or do other parts of the world have vampire legends/figures as well? Are the any historical recounting or legends of them?

Natalie Pearson

I would LOVE an in-depth analysis of the Twilight series, but short of that (lol) any big take-aways or impressions of Twilight/Stephanie Meyer?

Arica Starlinger

Are there any tests to try to turn people into vampires like in Octavia Butler’s book (and other writers)?

Andi Hernandez

What is the most obscure vampire lore you know? Do different vampires have different ways of eating?

Allison D

What is your favorite fictional vampire? (Um, if you know of any non-fictional vampires please alert us as well.)

Joe Wilkie

I need to hear the wildest vampire legend/myth/folk tale with my whole heart

Elizabeth Anderson

When and where did vampire lore begin? Has it basically always been around?

EsotericPunk

(First time asker here!) I read an article a while ago about the idea that vampire (and zombie) stories originate from descriptions of people infected with rabies (pale skin, biting and infecting others, etc.) and I'm curious if they have any opinions on that.

Aubrey Dunn

What is the history of vampire myths? (Also, my mom is asking about how to kill a vampire. “Does holy water kill them? How much garlic can kill them? Can a wooden dagger through the heart kill them?”)

Antoinette Palmieri

Thoughts and suggestions on the long running d&d module “curse of Strahd”?

Fwaeldling

oh hey, could a human body entirely subsist on a blood diet (assuming the donor is well-nourished) I woke up with this question, oh how you fill my life. Jonathanterra.

annaChista

Hi! (first time question asker) - do you have any thoughts on vampires and wolves? Dracula turns into a wolf but in a lot of modern vampire stories werewolves are vampires' worst enemies. Why would vampires have been connected to wolves in the first place and why do you think that changed?

Jacquelyn Hoffseth

What do you make of theories that vampire legends might be connected to people infected with Rabies? Are there any other medical conditions that you think might have also contributed to the myths of vampires instead? (First Time Question Asker - Jacquelyn Hoffseth)

Eric Johnson

Can we correlate the popularity of vampires with the growth of cities and megacities? In other words, "The thing you need to be afraid of is not a creature in the woods, but a monster that can pass for any unfamiliar human."

Mary Long

Who was popular first, vampire humans or vampire bats?

Lily Meyer

Vampires vs Werewolves: do you buy the grudge between them? If so, who do you think would win in a fight? If not, how do you see vampires and werewolves getting along?

Victoria Oetting

Why are vampires associated with Transylvania?

Caitie McCaffrey

Can you talk about trends you are seeing in modern vampire mythology. It seems to me that vampires have become reasonable love interests, whereas in traditional myth they hypnotized their victims. But in modern times you have Buffy & Angel, Bella & Edward, Sookie & Bill/Eric. Why do you think modern lore involves so many ladies falling for the bad boys of the night.

Joe Wilkie

what does a vampire feel like?

Keely Greiner

Hi! I'm a first-time question asker! Is it true that some of the vampire myths might come from people with actual illnesses, like anemia and tuberculosis? Or perhaps some cultures'/religions' beliefs around blood being equated with the soul?

Meaghan Walsh Gerard

Just in time for the lady buried with the sickle across her neck!

Emma Parks

How do all vampires seem to be immortal and the only way to kill them is wooden stake to the heart, decapitation, or burning? Wouldn’t they deteriorate over time? Not sure how this would really work. Seems oddly specific but I mean it is all made up (hopefully)…

Emily Reilly

I have always wondered if there is a link between external lupus indicators (like the butterfly/bay rash and sun sensitivity) and vampires

Meredith Snowlander

What about vampires and blood-borne illness? Can vampires drink "bad blood" and become sick?

Emilia Phillips

Are vampires prevalent in cultures all over the world? Or are they unique to European and European-colonized cultures?

noel steinle

First time question asker* Why can’t vampires see There reflection in mirrors?

Krystal Symons

For vampire animals there's a lot of lapping of blood but also a balanced diet of nectar, should vampire shows and movies include frolics in fields of flowers or at least see them really getting into Slurpees and non-milk Boba tees? Krystal Symons (~Sigh-mons~) from Melbourne (~Mel-bin~) Australia 🇦🇺

Franziska Pieper

*First time question asker* Count Dracula - how much of his myth is rooted in actual history?(:

Jesse Hurlburt

First recorded vampire? Why are there not more super vampires like blade?

Catdog3000

*first time question asker* (for my significant other) - Do you see any validity to the rabies theory?

Preston

Why are Vampires so gay?

HBG

Have mythological/pop culture vampires always been something along the lines of "the perfect human" (eg super strong, sexy, smart, immortal, impeccable fashion sense) or is this a more recent (20th Centuryish) development? In my university days I once wrote an essay linking the "Mirror Phase" theory of child development (by Jacques Lacan) and the depiction of vampires in cinema; this depiction was crucial to my argument so I gotta know.

Charlie Flores

What’s the most probable origin of the vampire myth?? Is it really just Vlad the impaler ??

YourLateNightFriend

I’m from New Orleans, where vampire legends abound. There’s a local argument about genesis the city’s vampire-friendly reputation - the two most common being that it was either based the true story of The Coffin Girls that were sent to the convent on Chartres St and the tale of Jacques St. Germain. Which of these is more legitimate?

Lee Wang

I'm by no means an expert here but in (Eastern?) European folklore, suspected vampires were people who had died but whose bodies resisted decomposition for a long time, which the living would check when someone in their social circles became mysteriously sick. (The association with sucking blood possibly arose from (dried) blood making its way out through the mouth of dead bodies through decidedly natural -- not supernatural -- processes.) PS I hated reading Lacan so good on you for wrestling with the Mirror Stage!

Elisa Shoenberger

How did vampires become associated with sex? Is this a recent thing in the past few decades?

Nanci Davis

Once and for all, are vampires dark, blood thirsty creatures who lurk in the shadows or sleek, intelligent beings who look good and dress well? P.S. Looking forward to the premier of Interview w/ a Vampire this Sunday!!

Jamie Spring

What is the most vampire thing you’ve ever done?

Pauline Depierre

Could vampires be malaria vectors? Historically it seems vampires come from Eastern Europe, are there other depictions of vampires or vampire-like creatures in other areas of the world?

Viola Blomström

You know how we always associate vampires with medical Europe? What about vampires in say south America and the cultures there

Kendall M

What're your thoughts on the 2 wildly different ways vampires are portrayed in media ie monster of the week (Supernatural) vs sexy love interest (Twilight, Vampire Diaries)?

Kimberly Medicis

What are your thoughts on the anime show Demon Slayer? The monsters in it are called demons, but they function much like vampires do.

Gabrielle

Does garlic actually repel vampires?

Art of life Acrylic painting and art

Is immortal just because we used to burry people alive because of poor medical knowledge (I can’t imaging anything more terrifying than being sick, and waking up buried)