Originally posted by ChrisM
Here we go again....:rolleyes:
IF humans were on a shark's menu, don't you think there would be thousands of attacks per year, as opposed to the 10s that actually happen? They are ALL over the oceans (although in distressingly smaller numbers due to over fishing), just because you don 't see them doesn't mean they ain't there.
I've dived with sharks hundreds of times, and never once felt threatened. Usually, you are lucky to see a shark, since most human activity scares them off. Sharks have much more to fear from us than us from them.
Yeah, it's a basic primitive fear, so I understand that. But the facts simply don't support it.
Chris
Point taken, Chris--I think that this is more my actual thinking, except when there's a string of shark attack reports, as was the case recently.
It's like my thoughts about flying...I won't let the possibility of an accident keep me from going where I plan to go...and I realize that statistically you're safer in an airplane than in a car, BUT perceived risk is another story altogether. Generally, I suppose ppl have to live with a certain degree of risk or they'd have to live their lives hiding under their beds and missing out on a lot of good things (and the bed could still fall on the person hiding underneath). The idea of some large fish or animal making a meal of me...sure it gives me the shivers...likely to happen? Nope. But that doesn't make the idea any less scary, and new reports arouse that fear, just as reports of airplane accidents (esp'y if near a time when I'm going to fly somewhere) have me on edge... I'll still go through with my plans, just as I still participated in the ocean swim despite hearing stories about sharks. I know of ppl who ABSOLUTELY won't go into the water b/c of hearing about Jaws. I go in with the idea that statistically w/ so many food choices a shark has, why should s/he prefer my particular type of protein when s/he has a whole ocean full of more appetizing snax.
But the milk carton pix... hmmmmm.... :eek:
Originally posted by ChrisM
Here we go again....:rolleyes:
IF humans were on a shark's menu, don't you think there would be thousands of attacks per year, as opposed to the 10s that actually happen? They are ALL over the oceans (although in distressingly smaller numbers due to over fishing), just because you don 't see them doesn't mean they ain't there.
I've dived with sharks hundreds of times, and never once felt threatened. Usually, you are lucky to see a shark, since most human activity scares them off. Sharks have much more to fear from us than us from them.
Yeah, it's a basic primitive fear, so I understand that. But the facts simply don't support it.
Chris
Point taken, Chris--I think that this is more my actual thinking, except when there's a string of shark attack reports, as was the case recently.
It's like my thoughts about flying...I won't let the possibility of an accident keep me from going where I plan to go...and I realize that statistically you're safer in an airplane than in a car, BUT perceived risk is another story altogether. Generally, I suppose ppl have to live with a certain degree of risk or they'd have to live their lives hiding under their beds and missing out on a lot of good things (and the bed could still fall on the person hiding underneath). The idea of some large fish or animal making a meal of me...sure it gives me the shivers...likely to happen? Nope. But that doesn't make the idea any less scary, and new reports arouse that fear, just as reports of airplane accidents (esp'y if near a time when I'm going to fly somewhere) have me on edge... I'll still go through with my plans, just as I still participated in the ocean swim despite hearing stories about sharks. I know of ppl who ABSOLUTELY won't go into the water b/c of hearing about Jaws. I go in with the idea that statistically w/ so many food choices a shark has, why should s/he prefer my particular type of protein when s/he has a whole ocean full of more appetizing snax.
But the milk carton pix... hmmmmm.... :eek:
