In literature, the choice to become a vampire is a metaphor for transformative experiences. On this episode, we bring you a story from Slate's Hi-Phi Nation podcast, which explores problems in contemporary philosophy through story. From real-life blood suckers, to Lord Byron, to Twilight, vampires are a tool for philosophers to think about otherness, sexuality, and the transformative experiences we all go through in life.To listen to more Hi-Phi Nation, <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/hi-phi-nation">subscribe</a> wherever you get your podcasts.If you love the show and want to support us, <a href="https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/88b50b64-fb9f-11e7-bd58-1743cd86ef27/podcasts/9a4c2c2a-3e8b-11e8-bd53-9b1115bac0fa/episodes/3457fd80-5031-11eb-80cb-1b385da57ed8/slate.com/decoderplus">consider joining Slate Plus.</a> With Slate Plus you can get ad free podcasts, bonus episodes, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Truly Tasteless Jokes

Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. In each episode, host Willa Paskin takes a cultural question, object, or habit; examines its history; and tries to figure out what it means and why it matters.

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