December 19, 2010
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Fictional Standards
I think it's high time authors from around the world got together and agreed on a set of standards for fictitious beings. Most fantasy authors have rallied together under the Tolkien camp, wherein elves are all knife-eared hippies and dwarves are bearded Scottish midgets. There remains a lot of openness in scifi; but, for the most part, humans are always pricks.
My major area of consternation is in literary vampires. Most authors agree on broad traits: they drink blood, they shun sunlight, they're immortal but not invincible, &c. The specifics, however, are far too loosely defined. Are vampires a separate species or are they still human albeit with a disease? Does sunlight instantly kill them or slowly? Does light even kill them at all (i.e. does it just make them gaily sparkle)? Just what kinds of supernatural gifts does vampirism bestow (e.g. increased strength, nightvision, overpowered libido, &c.)?
These are issues that need to be resolved. I have seen loose constructionists take advantage of these gaps, often to detrimental ends, too often. I don't have much knowledge in vampiric lore, so I leave it to the experts in this situation. There can be no doubt, though, that something must be done.
