Let’s take a moment to talk about sharks.
Firstly… you should know, I hate them. Like REALLY REALLY hate them. Indeed… I’m shark phobic and I’m almost too scared to admit that cos I’m sure I once read a novel where the psychopathic killer taunted his victims with things they most feared.
I’ve talked about it before but I’m not sure when the HUGE dislike began. I read the book Jaws at a very young age. We used to holiday on Fraser Island with my relations – where I happily swam in the ocean and so forth until one day I recall finding the novel Jaws amidst my step-grandmother’s Mills & Boons and so I read it #asyoudo. I suspect I was WAY TOO young to read such fodder for I spent the entire barge trip back to the mainland watching the ocean in dread… for some super-scary creature to arise from the waters and engulf the barge and its dozen vehicles whole.
I’m sharing this because I’ve been struggling with something.
I consider myself a fairly evolved sort of human being. I don’t get racism, sexism, or homophobes. I couldn’t care what religion anyone is, or if they have none at all. And I have no problem in admitting… I’m pro-choice when it comes to people’s lives and their bodies.
That’s not to say I don’t occasionally pick myself up having COMPLETELY unjustified thoughts. I do. I’m prepared to admit it. But I’ve been a foreigner in another country doing all the things people complain about foreigners here doing. Indeed, I’ve never been more Australian and patriotic than when I lived overseas. I clung to any reminders of home (even other English speakers) like they were my lifeline.
So it seems I’m not perfect (yes, I know… you’re aghast!). And it gets worse… because I’m even less politically correct when it comes to the West Australian shark cull.
Source: the17thman.typepad.com
Logically I know it’s wrong to kill creatures who haven’t ‘necessarily’ harmed us. And even if they had (I’m anti capital punishment) the ‘eye for an eye’ justification doesn’t sit well with me.
I see pics of dolphins being slaughtered and the whaling industry, or hunters in Africa posing proudly next to elephant carcasses and I’m horrified.
However…. ummm… Mostly when it comes to sharks I’m like… ‘Kill the fuckers!’
I know, I know… it’s wrong and I’m sorry. Kinda. I know that shark-related deaths are rare. But, it’s just that they’re so revolting and scary. Like snakes. I can’t even listen to the Jaws music without freaking out. Movies like Jaws x 3, Deep Blue Sea and Open Water have scarred me for life and have a lot to answer for.
Perhaps if there were movies about killer elephants or killer kittens I’d be just as prejudiced against them. But… in the meantime, I just have to admit that I won’t be sharing people’s outrage when it comes to sharks. I know I should, but I just can’t. Sorry.
Do you sometimes feel strongly (or not) about something even if you know you should or shouldn’t?
PS. I’m so shark phobic I couldn’t even look through images of real sharks to find a pic for this post!
February 3, 2014
Jaws traumatised me too and I’d only paddle at the edge of the surf for a couple of years after viewing it 🙁 And I concur about political correctness generally – we can’t all say, think and do the so-called correct thing every minute, there are so many rules!
But I beg to differ (think it’s the first time, Deb) on the subject of randomly killing the sharks in WA because I read some articles that said they weren’t the right killer sharks…apparently the kill isn’t selective and targeted, which is a bit silly. Aren’t they meant to be culling human-biting white pointers and other mean ones?? (although in your eyes they’re probably all bad and mean! LOL)
Think they should have a better net system and patrols that drive them back out to sea, but then some humans will venture too far into their domain. That sea is a scary place.
🙂
February 3, 2014
Lee-Anne… I think everyone I know (IRL) and virtually (via social media etc) will disagree with me on this one. 🙂
Certainly I haven’t seen anyone suggest the cull is a good idea and should be supported (other than the WA govt of course!).
And of course I know my fears and beliefs are irrational… but still… I felt I should confess to them!
February 3, 2014
I think a lot of people have shark fears! And obviously the WA government has a huge irrational one! I grew up right by the beach and love the beach, but sharks most definitely make me nervous at times.
Sharks are an apex predator, which makes them scary, but also their presence is a sign of a healthy ocean. My brother is a professional diver and Marine Scientist, he spends a lot of time in the water with sharks. He even has been involved in tagging big scary ones. He really has no fear, but cautious respect. I can’t fathom what he does, but he tells me most species are fairly predictable in their behavior and you can learn to read their moods.
Anyway, he reckons the techniques in the shark cull attract sharks into the area and are not really going to do anything positive for the shark fearers. Just further disrupt a fragile ecosystem.
February 3, 2014
I’ve read some criticisms of ‘how’ it’s being done. I’m surprised the government doesn’t have the best advice possible from experts. I mean, if they HAVE to do it, you’d think they’d do it right.
(Although… governments are not always logical….)
PS. Apologise to your brother for my nasty thoughts!
February 3, 2014
I just don’t see that the shark cull will do any good. Unless they wipe out every single shark in the ocean there will always be a chance that one may attack a human. It just seems to be a knee-jerk reaction that smacks a little of old western movies where they get a posse together to lynch the villain.
February 3, 2014
Although I don’t have a problem with the notion of the shark cull (cos, well… sharks) I get your meaning. I always note that after a crocodile, dingo, shark has injured or kill someone they actually kill that creature. Hopefully it’s not an ‘eye for an eye’ thing and more about a worry that they have a taste for it. #orsomething
February 5, 2014
I can’t see any point to a cull- unless there’s some imbalance they’re trying to address- but then I don’t agree with trying to interfere with that either. I think if we venture into their territory, we take the risks. If the only reason for the cull is to protect human life, where does it stop? A brave post, my dear…
February 5, 2014
I know… It’s like… I know my thoughts and opinions are wrong in this case, but… (I felt the need to admit to them!)
February 5, 2014
and that’s fair enough too…we’re all entitled to our own viewpoint…
February 5, 2014
I should confess… I probably feel the same about snakes too. But that’s it I think.
February 5, 2014
Okay. I am taking a deep breath here, because while I appreciate that others will have differing opinions to myself, I find it hard to not reach boiling point when people say ‘kill the sharks’ or any animal really. And, I, like you come from a background of being terrified of sharks. however, my daughter’s love and passion for sharks has led to me not only learning more about them and discovering that the reasons I fear them are illogical and actually far from the truth and to become passionate about stopping the cull.
I am about to embark on my own ‘shark week’ on my blog next week and I’d love you to pop by for a read. I do respect your opinion, of course, even if your opinion makes my blood boil a little 😉
February 5, 2014
Becky that’s completely okay. I’m actually yet to come across ANYONE in my circle of friends (real life / virtual) who does actually agree with me on this one!
February 5, 2014
I was just thinking the other day that I’d yet to come across anyone who wasn’t apposed to it! I think some authors and Hollywood have a lot to answer for in the cultivating of people’s fears of ‘man eaters’ when that could not be further from the truth.
February 5, 2014
Indeed! The one in Deep Blue Sea was the worst as it’d been genetically modified… Ugh!