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Shark-obsessed

22 April 2007 928 views 8 Comments

I know I’ve done a lot of joking about shark movies in relation to the ‘toothed vagina’ theory (which, as Dr. Campbell pointed out, is actually an established psychological theory called Vagina Dentata that the author of my FTC essay was apparently unfamiliar with), but as a long-standing fan of ridiculously bad shark movies, I think they raise many important questions. Our society is fascinated by sharks. Why? Is it just the thrill of fear and the unknown? Or is it something more than that? The media have certainly capitalized on this love of sharks and shark movies. I succumbed to the infinite wonders of YouTube yet again this afternoon and discovered a treasure trove (haha) of shark-related videos. My apologies in advance for this huge string of clips, but they’re all so wonderful that I felt the need to share them with you. All nine are television commercials of some sort that use the stigma/popularity of sharks as a central selling point.

8 Comments »

Brad said:

Hahahaha….
“Sharks rule the deep. THEY’RE in control of the waters…
UNTIL NOW! Now YOU control THEM! RC Cyber-Shark!”
glorious

# 23 April 2007 at 6:19 am

Jim said:

Just a quick note to let you know that your blog rules! I am fascinated by this shark tangent, being a fan of all things shark-like myself, and I have had a ball watching the clips. Thanks.

# 23 April 2007 at 12:45 pm

gcampbel said:

I will never ever listen to “Hakuna Matata” the same way again. Of course Wikipedia has an article on Vagina Dentata, and of course there’s a link to “vagina dentata in popular culture.” How can the Encyclopedia Brittanica possible compete? Amazing.

Thanks for the indefatigable research, Serena. Admirable.

# 23 April 2007 at 4:06 pm

Carmen said:

Ok, I’ve heard enough about the “Toothed Vagina.” It’s disgusting and degrading to me as a woman and a mother. I gave birth to a beautiful son out of that part of the body you refer to with such degradation.

The woman’s body is designed to nurture, grow and protect life. How in the world you can view it as a predatory creature is beyond me. In doing so, you are devaluing life and motherhood.

# 24 April 2007 at 7:25 am

Ben said:

I’ve been looking for the final monster from Starship Troopers, which I swear is a giant vagina.

http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/images/miniatures/mini–starship–brain-bug.jpg

In the movie its much better (worse?) but I can’t find any good caps.

# 24 April 2007 at 8:02 am

gcampbel said:

Carmen, I understand your disgust. As Serena says, however, it’s important to understand how these ideas have currency in the culture–and sometimes, it’s even healthy to point out ludicrous examples. Phalluses have their share of this kind of cultural baggage as well. Doesn’t mean we have to buy the ideas. We simply have to understand them, and thus make better sense of what we’re seeing/reading/hearing.

# 24 April 2007 at 12:03 pm

Carmen said:

Dr. C., you’re right about my disguist with this topic. In fact, I’m repulsed that so much time and energy has been devoted to it. This discussion is without merit and in no way germane to anything that is culturally relevant or productive.

# 24 April 2007 at 4:58 pm