Kontradiction,
In this thread's opening question, you asked if vampires, particularly here, have a code of ethics and if not, why not?
What I have yet to see though, are details of the standards to which you yourself hold, which is curious, since you do seem to have very forthright opinions about others' methods.
What 'rules' do you set for yourself, if I may ask?
I do also have a similar questioning as does meeper, in wondering why one system is supposedly so superior to any other, or even my own.
Are there comparative studies? Doubtful, since it has has been mentioned, most who do 'feed', keep their own methods quite private.
It does strike me as odd that someone who has a driving need, like an insatiable craving, would be capable of holding themselves in check. It would take some considerable mental fortitude to achieve. And given that the longer a person goes without, the weaker they are physically and mentally, so there must come a 'tipping point', where it is an act of instinctual reaction to the hunger.
It is a concern for certain vampires, who hold to a perspective of 'do no harm', that they may end up in this state, which for me, is a valid 'feeding habit', which is what you clearly state that you are looking to find out more about.
I too feel the pretension apparent in many of the responses here, particularly from those who might dismiss the questioning of an individuals' ability to maintain a set standard.
Just because a certain reference is used to highlight an example of behaviour, it does not limit the understanding of other potential influences upon a persons actions to 'none'.
It seems to be rather hypocritical to levy criticism towards someone for looking outside of the prescribed methods, by telling them to look for their own path.
No-one, I am sure, is arrogant enough to claim that they have all the answers, but there will be those who impose themselves upon a culture and shape its direction. Newcomers to the scene will often look for those popularist ideas, and then base their future learning from a common standpoint.
So while it might be sensible to leave the options open for one's own personal development, everyone has to start somewhere.
The question is, who will get their ideas more widely spread and accepted than others?
Whose concepts will live and whose will fade?
Belanger can certainly be credited with spreading a far-reaching net in her House's quest to find their own, but at the same time, the closer one gets to the ideal of their system, the more specific the requirements become.
Those who don't fit (the vast majority), will end up already having their perceptions of what being a vampire means limited, by the time spent learning the information taken in during the process of investigation.
It then becomes increasingly difficult to break down those mindsets and open them up to more liberal understandings. In which case, merely stating to people 'find your own path', is a bit of a waste of time and contributes nothing towards the actual furthering of that path.
It's a cop-out answer for those with few of their own and really only leads to confusion, since many will be left out in the cold by the structured system that they've come to depend on, before being told to make it up for themselves.
Subsequently, we find gatherings of the like-minded in places like VR and other forums, where information is sought, but so too is discussion of that info. Forums are not just a place to gather knowledge, but to impart it. Using it as a place just to take, is quite selfish if a person has the wisdom to say something which can help. But at the same time, the morality of providing what can be harmful to someone comes into question.
The trick is finding a balance that not only can our consciences live with, but that people can respect.
