Intro to Media Studies BBS

Message from: Ben Chun (benchun@MIT.EDU)
About: Urban Legends

Sat, 15 Feb 97 21:40:25 EST

  • Next message: jeanne@MIT.EDU: "Bard Chocolate company"
    as mentioned in our discussion: the web site for urban legends
    is http://www.urbanlegends.com/

    What is an urban legend? Stealing Peter van der Linden's (with the last point from Terry Chan)
    definition from the alt.folklore.urban FAQ:

    "An urban legend:
    1. appears mysteriously and spreads spontaneously in varying
    forms
    2. contains elements of humor or horror (the horror often
    "punishes" someone who flouts society's conventions).
    3. makes good storytelling.
    4. does NOT have to be false, although most are. ULs often have a
    basis in fact, but it's their life after-the-fact (particularly in
    reference to the second and third points) that gives them
    particular interest."

    b e n c h u n
    benchun@mit.edu
    http://benchun.mit.edu/
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