Article
Published by The Vampire Network on the 28th of May 2017The Case for Separation of the Vampire Community (and its Benefits)
Vampires in the Greater Vampire Community (GVC) consist of four basic vampire sub-types:
- Blood Vampires, individuals who consume blood in order to maintain and enhance their physiology and may display a pattern of measurable physiological traits consistent with the vampire archetype
- Energy Vampires, individuals who consume energy (in various forms) to maintain and enhance their physiology and may display a pattern of measurable physiological traits consistent with the vampire archetype
- Hybrids, individuals who consume both blood and energy in order to maintain and enhance their physiology and may display a pattern of measurable physiological traits consistent with the vampire archetype
- Cultural Vampires, individuals for whom the vampire lifestyle, archetype and culture are critically important but whose physiology does not differ from non-vampires
In addition, there are other groups who do not identify as vampires, but frequently participate in the GVC:
- these may include interests in fetish, culinary preferences, ethnic traditions or rituals (the masai tribe) or other subgroups unrelated to vampirism.
While there is some overlap in the abilities of the sub-types to utilize energy (ex. some Blood Vampires can use energy to temporarily delay symptoms of starvation; some Energy Vampires can use blood to the same effect (not to be confused with hybrids who routinely feed on both and are able to process both to full effect), these sub-types are fundamentally biologically different. Consequently, the life experiences, concerns and solutions to those concerns between the sub-types can be vastly different.
Common life experience, which translates into common concerns, and thus, into common goals, is critically important to the cohesiveness and productivity of any group. This is lost by forcing these biologically different sub-types of vampires together into blended groups within the (Online) Vampire Community (VC/OVC).
Recently there has been a push and in some cases, demand, for segregated groups to unite, often under the auspices of preventing mental health crisis, self-esteem issues and feelings of exclusion. However while this idea is good in theory, practice is proving to be difficult in reality. Without basic common ground between vampire types, misunderstandings abound and quickly turn into unnecessary arguments which frequently end good initiatives and prevent constructive interaction. Thus, many of us are of the opinion that the insistence on forced or obligated unity within the VC/OVC is not only not beneficial to the future progress of the VC/OVC as a whole and its members as individuals, but is in fact detrimental to all involved. We are not advocating total partition, simply putting forward that all vampire subgroups are better served when socializing is voluntary and focused on a common goal.
The issue of scientific research is just one recent example where these inherent disagreements are evident. To many Blood Vampires understanding their biology is of paramount importance whereas many other vampire types (logically) dismiss the idea that the consumption of blood has tangible effects on the vampire body due to the lack of mainstream empirical evidence, and their own experiences. Moreover, insisting on the importance of scientific inquiry is often perceived as an attack on their on vampire identity and community. (The popular oversimplication that "REAL vampires are x and not y") Consequently, many logically downgrade the priority of scientific research into causes and managements of vampirism or even oppose it, but by doing so they unwittingly dismiss the primary concern and undermine the causes and efforts of other vampire types.
Therefore, it would seem to make more sense to abandon the model of unity which is counterproductive and by design dismissive of one vampire sub-type or another even with the best of intentions. Instead, formation of smaller houses and organizations based on biological and/or cultural similarity would result in ability of each sub-type to focus on goals which are a priority to them, with significantly more synergy and less arguments. This would provide greater efficiency. Moreover, without constant bickering and with clear identity, the different sub-types could then more easily support each other and work together on issues which are common to all vampires - such as interactions with non-vampires. Many vampire types have already begun building their own private communities around this philosophy - with impressive results.
Partitioning of the (O/G)VC according to shared biological and cultural reality would not destroy the greater community. Nor is it an attack on any individual’s authenticity or vampire identity. It is a way to optimize every individual’s life experience and move forward in a way which acknowledges our differences and uses them to our advantage. It would be a stronger GVC, built on a foundation of a strong sense of identity and purpose, a GVC for the future.
Credits
This article is the property of
The Vampire Network (2017)
