Bambi and the Shark

Who would imagine Bambi to be the most dangerous animal in North America? Well, in fact, Bambi is far more likely to kill you than would a shark. The truth is that “Jaws” author Peter Benchley should have written “Antlers”. 

Seriously? Yes, seriously.

In the US, where they have both deer and sharks, more than a hundred people are killed in automobile-deer collisions for every one person killed by a shark. In fact, Americans are more likely to die by deer than by by bears, sharks and alligators combined. And in Canada we don’t even have sharks. Well, very few. And no alligators.

In Australia, home of huge sharks, deadly snakes, salt water crocs, and venomous spiders, the four most dangerous animals, in order, are horses, cows, dogs and kangaroos. Rather disappointing.

In Sweden, like Canada, the silly, clumsy old moose is near the top of the killer animal list, mostly related to highway collisions. A 700 kilogram moose coming through the windshield at 100 km/h can really ruin your day. 

In Africa, the "cute and adorable" hippo attacks and kills hundreds of people every year. Rather viciously.

So what’s going on here? How come we have scary movies about sharks and wolves, and nothing about cows, moose, and hippos? Well, there are probably two parts to an answer.

First, we all love stories, especially big, scary ones. Who wants to hear about somebody being bitten by a tick when an epic massacre by a wolf pack is on offer?

Second, as a species we are “glass half full” creatures. Give anyone a bell curve and they’ll instantly go to the “worst case” tail. Next, they'll bounce over to the “best case” tail, then finally, reluctantly, to the boring centre. Statistical probability is tedious.

The moral of the story? Well, regretfully, your listener often doesn't want reality. Facts are boring and fantasy is much more exciting. 

But it’s also true that your responsibility is to have your listeners buy into reality and grapple with difficult truths. 

Stay tuned.

Norman Bowley [email protected]