Why we crave vampires

The results are in for my poll that asked, "Why are we so attracted to vampires?". Keep in mind that visitors were allowed to vote for more than one answer. Here are the results, listed from the most popular to the least popular:

1. The goth look is so damn sexy.
2. The appealing immortality factor.
3. A tie:
A subconscious desire to be dominated.
The intimate nature of blood drinking.
4. They're the ultimate tortured loners.

I'm sure there are other factors to explain vampire appeal, but these are the top reasons I came across while reading several articles on the subject.

Interestingly, the goth look is actually a modern contribution to vampire lore, and the original legends featured undead creatures who were far from sexy. Instead of brooding loners with the appearance of dark eye makeup and pitch-black hair, you'd hear tales of bloodthirsty demons with lovely traits such as pointed tongues, red eyes, and foul breath. Certainly, it would kill the erotic mood of many a modern vampire tale if we stuck to those original descriptions. I've read that vampires in literature and film tend to reflect what's occurring in the world around them, and I can certainly see why, in this era, there's a need for distracting, appealing, invincible creatures who walk the line between good and evil.

I plan to put up a new poll about vampire dining habits in a few moments.