Sharks may get a bad rap, but they only rarely attack humans.
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Since 1988, Shark Week has reeled in millions of loyal viewers. Last year, a whopping 21 million viewers tuned into Discovery’s Shark Week, and 31 million viewed National Geographic’s SharkFest. Shark television is taking a big bite out of the entertainment industry. But sharks, themselves, very rarely bite humans.
Some shark researchers offer critiques about how outlets steer toward sensational coverage rather than factual information. David Shiffman, a shark expert, told WIRED, “Many Shark Week documentaries focus on so-called ‘shark attacks.’ The word ‘attacks’ makes people think these incidents occur much more than they actually do: The average American is about a million times more likely to die from a heart attack than a shark one.”
Popular Shark Week terms like “shark-infested” water or “man-eating” predators may make you hesitant to venture past…