Da-Dub, Da-Dub

I would venture to say that in 1974 most of us non-coastal types did not have a fear of sharks on our psyche radar. Then, came the summer of 1975. Steven Spielberg directed the screen adaptation of Peter Benchley’s novel, Jaws. John Williams wrote one of the most memorable scores in movie history. Certainly the 2-note ostinato for the shark, E and F or F and F sharp or Da-Duh, Da-Duh stands alone when it comes to signaling fearful uncertainty.

It does little good to tell me shark attacks are rare if every television network insists on showing sharks swimming among the swimmers just off every beach in America. Then, they go on to provide regular reporting of shark attacks just off U.S. beaches.

I have never been shark-bit but I would not find it reassuring to be told the shark bit me because it confused my movements with those of some typical food source.

Now if I confused a dolphin with a shark and injured said dolphin, I want to assure you that my fellow Conservationist would be all over me.

On July 23, 2023, The Discovery Channel begins Shark Week, its annual onslaught into the wide world of sharks. Why? Oh, that money thing.

The Discovery Channel might consider Shark Week to be a public service. Promotion of shark conservation was one of the original stated poals of the programing. They will tell us that it isnt the sharks fault that they attack us. After all, we have invaded their habitat.

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the beach and the surf as much as anyone and perhaps even more than most. There is no doubt the sounds of the surf induce an intoxicating tranquility. But I am from a landlocked state and these are not my normal habitat. Jelly fish and seaweed are all the challenges I need.

I sure back in the day there were all sorts of stuff swimming in the “new pits” or in Sallisaw Creek. Or in the “old pits” where Paul James during World War II took time away from his Oklahoma Tire and Supply Store to teach a number of us to swim. I don’t even want to think about the cattle ponds we swam in as boyhood and fishing progressed.

My back porch contemplations allow diverse thoughts to creep through my mind. I sat down and was still thinking of swimming in strip pits. Dennis Rodman slipped into my mind. During his time at Southeastern Oklahoma State he must have swan in a strip pit. He said, “When you dive into the water you never really know how deep it is.”

If you were ever 12 years old standing on the bank above the strip pit, staring down at the water, feeling the wet shale slipping under your feet, you too have wondered how deep the water was. Like so many things in life all you can do is jump and find out.

I believe implicitly that every young man in world is fascinated with sharks or dinosaurs. – Peter Benchley

Hal McBride writes a column, Just Thinkin’, published each week.