[Paddlewise] Sharks, bears and scary things

Jackie commented on my comparison of sharks and bears and took objection.
I thought I'd clarify.

I had not intended to suggest that sharks are a _lot_ more risk than bears.  Rather,
I pointed out that sharks were a greater risk than bears (based on the number of
deaths, which I glibbly refered to as "statistically").  Nontheless, the actual
risk is small to the point of being negligible.  In both cases, the total number of
deaths is small.

As I said, divers do not clamour for spear guns when diving.  However, hikers and
campers, notable American, can't keep their hands off their guns when wandering
into the woods.  Just follow rec.backcountry for more than a couple of weeks and
you'll see lots of gun discussion.   Why this is is beyond the ken of almost everyone
outside of the US.  I was comparing the two groups to try to emphasize the
difference in attitude.  The risk doesn't result in the same response.

These critters represent a negligible threat to us when we travel in the backcountry
or dive/swim/kayak in the oceans.  You can put yourself into a riskier than normal
situation, but you've no one to blame but yourself.  Don't kill everything in sight
because you don't do your homework.

Forget the guns - spend the money on a good camera.  That kind of shooting is
worthwhile.

Mike


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