Why does the media freak out about shark attacks?

[UdoKier]

I really don't get it. We go and swim in THEIR feeding grounds, then wig out when one of them takes a bite out of somebody.

It's not OUR ocean. Would we feel all upset if some dumbass built a playground structure for kids to play on in the middle of the African veldt, right where a huge pride of lions likes to hang out, then shock of shocks, a kid got bitten?

You go in the ocean, you takes your chances. If you want to be safer, keep your kids in less-than-waist-deep water very close to the shore, or even better, go to the pool.

I love the ocean, but I really don't get all the panic-mongering about sharks.

People get killed by jellyfish and other poisonous sea creatures all the time. Where are the jellyfish alerts?

[bushisanidiot]

1. Because it's never happened before

ever.

:P

[Terran]

2. So when you get attacked by a shark

you'll be all calm and collected about the whole thing. :eyes:

[UdoKier]

3. I'm sure I will not.

But it will not merit news coverage.

Edited my header for clarity.

Anybody who's calm while being attacked by a shark is nutzo.

[Fridays Child]

4. Then where is *my* habitat?

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. Not in the ocean, unless you have gills.

[shraby]

5. I have a suggestion for people...

don't swim with things that can eat you.

[TwilightZone]

6. Actually, they do issue jellyfish alerts.

We saw several when we were visiting Corpus Christi a couple of years ago.

And, as far as shark attacks go, it's a pretty violent way to die. As for the hype, blame Spielberg.

[UdoKier]

7. But the vast majority of shark bite victims don't die.

And most sharks are not great whites...

[sam sarrha]

9. it reminds them of Dick Cheney......... in the shadows, lurking, listening

[AlCzervik]

10. ratings

[stevietheman]

11. Weren't shark attacks the summer precursor to 9/11?

n/t

[aaronnyc]

15. Yep, it was "Summer of the Shark"

And Gary Condit/Chandra Levy was also big that summer.

[tridim]

12. It's a BS human interest story / sensationalism for ratings

Once again the Simpsons are on top of it..

"Hear that? It's the sound of children's laughter... silenced.
That's because tomorrow, this old carousel, which has delighted
young Americans for lo these past six years, will be torn down, to
make way for the future: a store that sells designer mouse pads." (cue music: "To everything turn, turn, turn..") This is Kent Brockman... Reporting."

[lectrobyte]

13. Because the Scott Peterson and Michael Jacskon trials are over,

and sharks are entertaining. People still hum the Jaws shark theme today.

[gratuitous]

14. Because it's easier than working

What do I win for getting the right answer?

[Zorbuddha]

16. That's just plain

gratuitous.

[orpupilofnature57]

17. Money for nothing, and yer hype for free.Less time to think about Shrub

The man that could actually save us money, if he would take head from an intern instead of corporate criminals.

[edbermac]

18. Why? It beats talking about body bags coming from Iraq...

[Vinca]

19. If the victim was a fat, ugly girl, it wouldn't be a story.

Compare the coverage of the missing, pretty, blond girl in Aruba to the 3 little, hispanic boys who died in the trunk of a car. The media isn't acting as a news organization, it's acting like a tabloid newspaper. By the way, when did missing people/shark attacks/local crimes become worthy of national news coverage anyway? There's so much world news that is ignored. Downing Street . . . anybody?