Internet is Killing the Urban Legends

Internet is Killing the Urban Legends (Bummer)

I was listening to a spooky podcast the other day and they were discussing urban legends. Some I had heard of before and some were new to me. I was enthralled in the stories and loved the detail. Each tale kept my attention and made me want more. Now, I’ve lived long enough to know that much like myths and other legends…there’s always aspects of truth tossed in with a few fibs or embellishments here and there. But…that’s what makes them so good.
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Ever heard of the Goatman? Resurrection Mary perhaps? Cry Baby Bridge? The Pigman? Maybe that haunted house down the road? I would bet that no matter what town you live in, there is at least one urban legend that has been told year to year from one person to another. It’s always fun to haze the new kid at school or the latest family in the neighborhood with a spooky tale or two.

I love urban legends because they invoke the imagination. They let people share stories and form bonds over scary rumors and fairytales and can even open the lines of communication that may otherwise be closed. You can’t tell me that when someone starts talking about an urban legend that your ears don’t perk up, and you move a little closer to them…because you are curious. Right?

With the entertainment factor of urban legends being so welcomed by most, what happens when it’s gone? You see, as I listened to the podcast and after each story they discussed, they basically debunked it. And by this, I mean they would state many times “I found this or that on Google” or “I couldn’t find anything on the Web to back up the story” which essentially led me to have a realization and thought out loud…the internet has killed the urban legend! Oh Crap!

Urban legends flourished throughout the world from one generation to the next…because the majority of the time no one could find information to dispute the stories…until that medaling Internet came along! So now, anytime someone starts to capture the imagination of a crowd with a timeless tale everyone’s going to whip out their cell phones and jump on Google. Takes the fun out of it…right?

I’ve told myself many times that “ignorance is bliss” and I still believe this to be true…especially when it comes to the topic of urban legends. I mean, come on, who the Hell wants to know the truth? The truth or the actual reality of a legend is…well…boring. Give me the made up, embellished tall tales that I’m accustomed to.