I actually don't remember if I started watching Shark Week in 2001 or 2002. But anyway, I was 8 or 9 years old and my parents had some show on about Shark Attacks on the New Jersey shoreline, with sharks even going up the rivers. It would have made more sense for me to be TERRIFIED at that point, but I was more fascinated than anything. Not even knowing what Shark Week was, I sat down and watched that show and a couple others throughout the week. I mean, I was a pretty nerdy kid who knew EVERYTHING about every single kind of bear, played with plastic dinosaurs, and loved nature. So I guess liking sharks was the next logical step. It took another couple of years for me to grasp that these shows that were always on during the summer were a part of a whole WEEK on the Discovery Channel. But now I must say that Shark Week is the absolute best week of my summer, at least definitely the past two years. I don't even watch that much TV (although a lot of Hulu during the summer) so Shark Week is my guilty pleasure. I love it. And if you don't watch it...WHY?!
Perhaps you need some convincing.
So, I present to you: Kat's Top Ten Reasons to Watch Shark Week
1. Sharks are amazing, powerful, beautiful creatures.
I mean, yes, they are absolutely terrifying. And this might just be the opinion of a complete marine biology nerd, but I also think that they are beautiful because they have such power and so many amazing, weird, fascinating senses, like being able to detect electrical fields. Besides, sharks are greatly misunderstood. They actually are not interested in people at all, but always mistake them for a seal or fish. Have you ever wondered why people are never eaten by sharks? It's because we taste bad. So they spit us back out. I'm sure I'd feel different if I were attacked by a shark, but for now I would love to swim with one (safely) and get to experience the beauty up close and personal.
2. You learn a lot, while also genuinely enjoying watching the shows.
Obviously, the shows are educational. You learn about all the different kinds of sharks, their aggressiveness, why they might attack people, their feeding habits, where they live, etc, etc. But these facts are just inserted in the middle of the stories about shark attacks or people "hunting" sharks or, well...yeah. Basically, the education is mixed in with action. Which is the best way to get our society to learn.
3. You get to see sharks up close, without the terrifying prospect of losing your life.
The quality of the cinematography in the shows is AMAZING, so you actually get to see sharks--their teeth, their bodies, their strength--without actually looking one in the face while all you have on is a scuba diving face mask or something. You don't have to get bitten by a shark and nearly bleed to death to see a shark. Well, actually, most people that get attacked barely even see the shark since they're focusing on swimming away and trying to stay alive. So, basically, you get to see sharks in a COMPLETELY safe situation--safer even than being in a cage while they're outside. You get to sit on your couch and look at sharks in full detail while safe and dry.
4. It's something to do inside, with the air conditioning, to relax before school starts up again.
At least for me, it's always when there's two weeks or less until school starts. And, let's face it, by this point summer is getting a little boring. You've read all your books, are trying to avoid homework, and maybe even are sick of some people you've been hanging out with all summer. And usually August is exhaustingly hot. So, just go ahead and sit on your couch every evening and watch some good old shark footage. You can see people during the day, but hey, your evenings are lazy and dedicated to the sharks.
5. You get that little thrill of viewing danger, without actually experiencing it.
Kind of the same idea as horror movies or documentaries about serial killers (which I also like a little too much). You get the chance to see danger, feel your heart quicken, feel a little bit of fear, but you're not actually in danger. It's thrilling and gets your adrenaline going, without the actual fight or flight panic mode. Which most of us try to actually avoid in our real lives.
6. It's something that you can share with almost anyone you meet.
I swear people from all walks of life watch and love shark week. On Facebook this weekend, people I barely talk to because they're in a completely different "social group" were geeking out over shark week. It was AMAZING. Jocks, theatre kids, band kids, nerds, "cool" kids, adults, teenagers, grandparents...EVERYONE. Shark week is a distinctly American thing, and it connects us. For one week every August, we're all watching the same shows and being complete geeks together, with absolutely no shame. And there's nothing more beautiful than that.
7. Well...it's better than Jaws.
Seriously. I watch Jaws occasionally just to LAUGH at it. It's the funniest movie ever, and completely unrealistic. So ditch the Hollywood action and watch some real life, real world shark action with the same thrill of danger, with a little added bonus of hidden education.
8. You have great story material.
Back to the party. You've exhausted the stupid things you've done, books, camping, and traveling. Well, like I said, EVERYONE can watch and love Shark Week. So if you're completely lost for a conversation topic, just bring up that one show on the string of shark attacks in 2001. If they know what you're talking about, you get to sit there (or stand there) and geek out with them over shark week. With luck, everyone else at the party will join the conversation, and they will love you for breaking the awkward silences and attempts at conversation. No one will be ashamed! Everyone loves sharks! Shark party!!!!!!! ....Okay, and if they have NO IDEA what you're talking about, maybe this isn't the kind of party you want to be at. Besides, it's Shark
Week. What the heck are you doing at a party if you're NOT watching Shark Week?!
Week. What the heck are you doing at a party if you're NOT watching Shark Week?!
9. You could survive a shark attack!
Granted, very few people get attacked by sharks. But if you watch shark attacks, you can get tips on how to survive! So, a little education, fear, and the thrill of adventure, PLUS the added bonus of how to survive an otherwise deadly shark attack. Or...maybe it will make you never want to go into the ocean ever again, which would be sad (in my opinion), but still prevent you from getting attacked by a shark.
10. You have something to blog about!
Always end with this. I'm sure every day in this blog I will have some little Shark Week anecdote. It's just so exciting! And so geeky! And so wonderful! Like I said before, all kinds of people watch Shark Week, so you're probably appealing to a large audience. Plus, you can get people to watch Shark Week if they don't already...which, of course, is the whole point of this blog post. =)
So.......
Go watch Shark Week!!!!!!! Throw a party, get together with friends, or sit on your own, and start a new tradition. If you're like me, it will become an 8 years+ tradition that will continue as long as Shark Week does. =) So go now, and have fun!
Days left of summer: 14 (WHAT?! NOooooooooooo!!!!!!)
Inspirational quote/photo of the day: "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~Confucius
No comments:
Post a Comment