Why is everyone so afraid of sharks!?

Question

Sharks can attack people, but chose not to! I mean, we're too boney for them, and don't tast good at all. The only reason that 2002 was called Summer of the Shark is because nothing important was going on, and the media decided to pick on sharks. The usual thing that they never report, like someone working with a shark getting bit on the hand or something, was reported. Just because sharks can be dangerous doesn't they always are!

Imagine, you're in the water with Carcharodon carcharias (aka Great White Shark), and it looks peaceful. It doesn't want to hurt you, but it's swimming next to you. Not attacking you, not wanting to hurt you, but swimming with you. It would be so cool to do that because you'ld be swimming with the creature that you were taught, your whole life to fear and it's not hurting you.

Can you answer my question now?
P.S. If you haven't figured it out by now...

... I LOVE SHARKS!!!

Answer 1

I can understand why people fear sharks. They do tend to violently kill people sometimes.

What I don't understand is why so few fear automobiles.

Answer 2

1. As someone said earlier, the movie Jaws gave sharks a bad rap.

2. We know so little about them. What we do not know or understand, we instinctively fear.

3. We are used to believing we are on top of the food chain, so any creature that challenges that belief will make us uneasy.

4. It's easy to forget that of the hundreds of sharks, only a handful would even begin to consider us a potential source of food, and you are right -- for the most part, if a shark does attack it is either sick, has mistaken us for its regular food, or we have cornerned it. But, those that do attack us are agressive and can be dangerous.

Sharks like the great white and mako are the perfect predator -- fast and strong. There is little defense against them if they decide you look tasty.

But ... sharks may kill a half dozen people a year (that we hear about, anyway) How many thousands of sharks are killed by us?

Answer 3

People fear sharks because of the movies, however there are other people that don't mind sharks. Sure sharks don't want to eat us because we don't taste good but there is always the chance that the shark will confuse the human being with its actual dinner which happens every now and then. So as far as swimming with the Great White, I rather not no matter how cool it would be, one small mistake and the next time you'll be seen is when the shark gets diarrhea because of the nasty tasting human it accidentally ate.

Answer 4

yes, it would be great to swim with a great white, but hey, lets go deeper ......... why would be so cool??

because you know that it can eat you right away, and if not, you can then brag away to anybody that you did it, knowing that sharks are considered very dangerous creatures ........ see the point yet?? your very question has the answer implied.

how cool would be to swim along a tuna?? not much I bet, because a tuna its not suppose to eat you ...... I hope you get the point

sharks are cool, mostly overrated ..... but you wrong on one thing, they do not decide not to eat us because we are too bony, they do not have good eyes (being such a fan you must know this) and the fact that they charge and eat anything, and I mean ANYTHING!! from humans to birds, to seals, to pieces of metal, to rocks, even car spare parts have been found in a shark stomach.

So, I wouldn't venture myself in shark infested water, and if I ever see one swimming by my side, I wont give him the chance to be nice ........ and probably crap my pants while getting the hell out of there!!

BTW, i did swim with sea lions, and dolphins, even dived with a freaky jellyfish over 10 ft large ...... from which I kept the most respectful distance .... lol

Answer 5

I'm not really afraid of sharks as well; they're quite fascinating. However, I do believe it is the size and sharp teeth of the sharks that so terribly frightens people. Also, since although not often, the shark can injure a person, people are afraid.

And movies. Jaws.

Answer 6

Sharks have crappy eyesight. And their other senses aren't too specific. Except taste. The only way for a shark to know what animal is in front of it, and whether it is edible, is to take a bite out of it. And most shark bites are fatal.

Answer 7

Anything that has the potential to eat or injure someone needs to be respected. Sharks are completely irrational in their thought train, as are crocs, bears, snakes etc. It is the thought of being eaten alive that would scare most people. It is not a particularly nice way to go.

Answer 8

The culture of fear created by our endless media outlets have caused an unrealistic fear of sharks. It's no different than ebola, bird flu, the current staph infection occurrences, and endless other overblown health scares. Apparently we are only safe if we never leave our homes. As long as we don't die of radon or carbon monoxide poisoning and have plenty of duct tape.

Answer 9

Hollywood fake horror films which portray sharks as killers. These movies actually make people believe that sharks like to hurt you and eat you.

Answer 10

Im only afraid of the great white shark

Answer 11

Dunno, honestly. Just yesterday I actually answered a question about "Why is skateboarding better than surfing?" and about 90% of the answers consisted of "because you don't get eaten by sharks and DIE!"

But anyways...
They get a bad rep because of their size, looks, and teeth.
And media, to agree with everyone else. Cartoons, movies, books. Sharks are always bloodthirsty, circling fins ready to take a chomp out of you because 'you're so tasty.'
Bull.

Anyways, hope my rant helped!