The coinage leads in turn to the terms "FOAFlore" and "FOAFtale". The earliest term by which these narratives were known, "urban belief tales", highlights what was then thought of as a key property: their tellers regarded the stories as true accounts, and the device of the FOAF (acronym for "Friend of a Friend" invented by English writer and folklorist Rodney Dale in 1976) was a spurious but significant effort at authentication. The legend interrupted the company's business to the point that it stopped using the trademark. Another such example since the 1970s has been the recurring rumor that the Procter & Gamble Company was associated with Satan-worshippers because of details within its nineteenth-century trademark. Persistent urban legends do often maintain a degree of plausibility, as in the story a serial killer deliberately hiding in the back seat of a car. Many are essentially extended jokes, told as if they were true events. Such legends seem to be believable and even provocative, as some readers are led in turn to pass them on, including on social media platforms that instantly reach millions worldwide. Urban legends typically include common elements: the tale is retold on behalf of the original witness or participant dire warnings are often given for those who might not heed the advice or lesson contained therein (a typical element of many e-mail phishing scams) and the tale is often touted as "something a friend told me", the friend being identified by first name only or not identified at all. The Minister of Defence for Canada was taken in by it also he forwarded an urgent security warning to all Ontario Members of Parliament.
A fax retelling this legend received at the Nassau County, Florida, fire department was forwarded to police, and from there to all city departments. According to the "Lights Out" rumor, street-gang members would drive without headlights until a compassionate motorist responded with the traditional flashing of headlights, whereupon a prospective new gang-member would have to murder the citizen as a requirement of initiation. On occasion, news organizations, school officials and even police departments have issued warnings concerning the latest threat. Anyone believing such stories might feel compelled to warn loved ones. Many urban legends depict horrific crimes, contaminated foods, or other situations that would potentially affect many people. The teller of an urban legend may claim it happened to a friend (or to a friend of a friend), which serves to personalize, authenticate and enhance the power of the narrative and distances the teller. The urban legend that Coca-Cola developed the drink Fanta to sell in Nazi Germany without public backlash originated as the actual tale of German Max Keith, who invented the drink and ran Coca-Cola's operations in Germany during World War II.
#URBAN LEGEND SERIES#
Cases that may have been at least partially inspired by real events include "The Death Car" (traced by Richard Dorson to Michigan, United States) "the Solid Cement Cadillac" and the possible origin of " The Hook" in the 1946 series of Lovers' Lane murders in Texarkana, Texas, United States. Propagation and beliefĪs Jan Brunvand points out, antecedent legends including some of the motifs, themes and symbolism of the urtexts can readily be identified. Many of the most well known tales will try to balance out the normal with the paranormal. An urban legend may include elements of the supernatural or paranormal. Elements of shock value can be found in almost every form of urban legend and are partially what makes these tales so impactful. Urban legends will often try to invoke a feeling of disgust in the reader which tends to make these stories more memorable and potent. Some urban legends are morality tales that depict someone acting in a disagreeable manner, only to wind up in trouble, hurt, or dead. The compelling appeal of a typical urban legend is its elements of mystery, horror, fear, or humor. Many urban legends are framed as complete stories with plot and characters. Brunvand used his collection of legends, The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends & Their Meanings (1981) to make two points: first, that legends and folklore do not occur exclusively in so-called primitive or traditional societies, and second, that one could learn much about urban and modern culture by studying such tales. Jan Harold Brunvand, professor of English at the University of Utah, introduced the term to the general public in a series of popular books published beginning in 1981. The term "urban legend", as used by folklorists, has appeared in print since at least 1968, when it was used by Richard Dorson.
0 kommentar(er)
