The truth about tell-tale stories

Man always had insecurities and uncertainties. And for as long as he has had them, he has tried of different ways to assure himself of his control over his environment. Making, hearing and believing urban legends is one way to accomplish this task because they embody basic human fears. Often presented as cautionary tales, they give people a warning or moral lesson by letting them know how to prevent such catastrophes from happening to them.
Origins of urban legends have existed in some form ever since the beginning of time. Early history depended heavily on oral tradition in order to pass of traditions and beliefs of a group. But it was not until the 1940s that people began talking about it. The term "urban legend" was first coined in 1979 by Jan Harold Brunvand, a professor emeritus of English at the University of Utah. In his studies, he likened traditional folklore with urban legends and noted how one could learn much about modern culture by studying such.
Urban legends just like old folk tales focus on things man was afraid of. The fairy tales we read today began as convincing stories, told by people to other people. Instead of mutant snakes in the malll, their stories spoke of the dangers of the woods and of evil stepmothers. However, this does not mean that the past and present do not share any common ground. The fear of being poisoned has been prevalent for a long time. The story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is an example of such a story. The tale fascinate people up until now because the fear has not yet left them though centuries have passed. It is still applicable and possible thus making it memorable.
Urban legends are remembered beacause they show concerns that most people can relate to, providing important insights into the culture that creates them. These legends change as society evolves in order to satisfy the distress of the times. These days, technology has contributed to the propagation of these urban legends. Different kinds of urban legends now surface the internet. With a click of an icon, a person can e-mail stories to friends without much proof on its authenticity. It is not strange to know of a story that has slight variations and new themes. The specificity of the stories feeds into their anxieties leaving them to think that it could happen to them. It also makes the story feel real and true to those who listen to these stories.