Sharksploitation: Jaws’ Jaw-Dropping Impact on Pop Culture and Aquatic Anxiety
Well, folks, it’s time to dive into the deep end of pop culture. Today, we’re sinking our teeth into the phenomenon of Sharksploitation, and how a certain toothy terror named Jaws has forever scarred our collective psyche. So, grab your floaties and let’s wade into this ocean of fear and fascination.
When Jaws Bit Off More Than We Could Chew
Remember the summer of ’75? No? Well, neither do I, but apparently, it was a big deal. Spielberg’s Jaws hit the screens and suddenly, everyone was afraid to even dip their toes in the kiddie pool. The movie was a blockbuster, and not just because it made people pee their pants in fear. It also spawned a whole new genre of film: Sharksploitation.
“Sharksploitation: A genre of film that exploits our irrational fear of sharks, often featuring gratuitous shark attacks, unrealistic shark behavior, and an unhealthy amount of blood in the water.”
Sharksploitation and Pop Culture: A Match Made in the Deep Blue Sea
Since Jaws, we’ve been treated to a veritable smorgasbord of shark-infested films. From the sublime (Deep Blue Sea) to the ridiculous (Sharknado), our fascination with these aquatic assassins shows no signs of abating. And why should it? There’s nothing like a good shark attack to make your popcorn taste better.
But it’s not just the silver screen that’s been infected with shark fever. Pop culture has been thoroughly bitten by the shark bug. From “Baby Shark” (do-do, do-do-do-do) to Katy Perry’s Left Shark, these toothy terrors have infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Heck, we even have a whole week dedicated to them on Discovery Channel. Talk about overkill.
Swimming: The Unintended Casualty of Sharksploitation
But while we’re all having a good laugh at the absurdity of a tornado full of sharks, let’s spare a thought for the real victim here: swimming. Yes, folks, thanks to Jaws and its ilk, a whole generation of people are terrified of going for a dip. Never mind the fact that you’re more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than a shark. Logic has no place in the face of cinematic terror.
“Thanks to Jaws, I can’t even take a bath without fearing a great white is going to burst through the drain.”
So, there you have it. The legacy of Jaws: a pop culture phenomenon, a new genre of film, and a global fear of swimming. Spielberg, you’ve got a lot to answer for.
And now, in the spirit of Sharksploitation, I leave you with a gangsta rap rhyme:
“Jaws in the water, causing a slaughter,
Pop culture caught her, Spielberg, you oughta,
Think about the fear you brought her,
Now we can’t even dip in the water.”
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