Preteen Devotion to Demons: Is Slenderman Real? | The Supernatural Worldview

theheadlesshashasheen:

David Metcalfe writes:

Cris D Putnam poses an interesting question regarding ‘supernatural’ memes – whether or not the original idea has any basis in reality, to what extent can they become real when the culture begins to engage them more deeply? Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum for the digital age –

“I am suggesting that Slenderman has become real or rather that the character has a real malevolent spirit empowering him, one that was able to reach out of the online horror fantasy world to the real world in order to entice two twelve year old girls to murderous mischief. A folklorist Dale James notes, “While he has no clear agenda with regards to who he targets Slender Man has an affinity for younger victims, those more impressionable and vunerable to his antics.”[2] Perhaps Slenderman will entice others? Alternately, it could be the case that a particular demon simply used Slenderman as a ruse to promote this murder and move on.”