For too long, sharks have been portrayed and perceived as the menacing, lurking creatures in the deep. Contrary to popular belief, we are much more of a threat to them than they are to us.
Researchers have found that the ominous music that often accompanies even documentary footage of them has inspired excessive fear about sharks.
In an experiment at UC San Diego, participants watched footage of sharks. Some scenes featured uplifting music, and others had a more daunting score.
The effect was what you might expect. Viewers saw sharks as intimidating creatures when they they also heard ominous music.
But with uplifting music (or none at all), viewers had a more positive impression of sharks.
This is problematic because rarely do we see shark footage without the ominous music, and the negativeportrayals of sharks may be hindering conservation efforts.
“We know from prior research that conservation progress for sharks is sluggish compared to marine mammals and that this slow response may be due in part to the societal marginalization of sharks,” says study co-author Elizabeth Keenan.
After all, in the words of Senegalese conservationist Baba Diou, “we will conserve only what we love.”
And while they’re still not exactly a furry, cuddly rabbit, consider this: you’re more likely to be struck by lightening than fall prey to a fatal shark attack.
PNAC wanted to achieve the following policy goals:
“To make the case and rally support for American global leadership.”
“To shape a new century favorable to American principles and interests.”
“A foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad.”
“Maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.”
“To increase defense spending significantly.”
“To strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values.”
“To promote the cause of political and economic freedom abroad.”
“To accept responsibility for America’s unique role in
preserving and extending an international order friendly to our
security, our prosperity, and our principles.”
One 1955 MKUltra document gives an indication of the size and range
of the effort; this document refers to the study of an assortment of
mind-altering substances described as follows:[28]
Substances which will promote illogical thinking and impulsiveness
to the point where the recipient would be discredited in public.
Substances which increase the efficiency of mentation and perception.
Materials which will cause the victim to age faster/slower in maturity.
Materials which will promote the intoxicating effect of alcohol.
Materials which will produce the signs and symptoms of recognized
diseases in a reversible way so that they may be used for malingering,
etc.
Materials which will cause temporary/permanent brain damage and loss of memory.
Substances which will enhance the ability of individuals to
withstand privation, torture and coercion during interrogation and
so-called “brain-washing”.
Materials and physical methods which will produce amnesia for events preceding and during their use.
Physical methods of producing shock and confusion over extended periods of time and capable of surreptitious use.
Substances which produce physical disablement such as paralysis of the legs, acute anemia, etc.
Substances which will produce a chemical that can cause blisters.
Substances which alter personality structure in such a way that the
tendency of the recipient to become dependent upon another person is
enhanced.
A material which will cause mental confusion of such a type that the
individual under its influence will find it difficult to maintain a
fabrication under questioning.
Substances which will lower the ambition and general working efficiency of men when administered in undetectable amounts.
Substances which promote weakness or distortion of the eyesight or hearing faculties, preferably without permanent effects.
A knockout pill which can surreptitiously be administered in drinks,
food, cigarettes, as an aerosol, etc., which will be safe to use,
provide a maximum of amnesia, and be suitable for use by agent types on
an ad hoc basis.
A material which can be surreptitiously administered by the above
routes and which in very small amounts will make it impossible for a
person to perform physical activity.
