Conventions of Swimming with Sharks

Conventional wisdom says swimming with the fishes is a poor career choice.(1958.Reynold Brown.USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Conventions are weird.

If you’ve been to a big business or political convention (“a gathering”/”a summoning”), then you know that many attendees’ away from home behavior is often at odds with normal conventions (as in “rule of behavior of conduct”, “accepted social customs”, or “standard practice”).

Oh, well. Double speak or double standards.

What is language for if not to add to the confusion and chaos?

Participants flocking in for the Duck Otta the Cold Convention.(© Image)

Conventions are pretty clear for other species, though.

Take Great White sharks. Unlike humans at conventions, they are not ones to risk their livers.

• “The Predator That Makes Great White Sharks Flee in Fear”

The conventionally feared apex predator’s apex predator? Orca whales.

Orcas have much better press than sharks.

“They have a lot of social behaviors that sharks do not, which allows them to hunt effectively in groups, communicate among themselves, and teach their young.”

When Orcas encounter Great Whites, it generally doesn’t go well for the sharks.

The whales have multiple methods to render sharks helpless, and interestingly, sharks seem to instinctively understand that it is best to exit the area if there’s even a whiff of Orca around – least you become an organ donor – well, actually a calorie-rich liver Hors D’Oeuvres.

“The orcas know their business, and they know where that organ lies. Rather than ripping their prey apart, it seems that orcas can extract livers with surprising finesse, despite lacking arms and hands.” Apparently “they bite their victims near their pectoral fins and then squeeze the liver out through the wounds. It’s like squeezing toothpaste.”

Another reason to make sure the ocean has plenty of healthy plump, Great White Sharks available. Don’t need the Orcas to start looking around for a Near Shark Meat meal substitute.

Scale that as needed.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Simply a misunderstood loner approaching humans with a toothy smile desperately hoping for protection from the vicious bullying by pods of Orcas. (Only coincidence that the expression is oddly similar to a drunk predator at a convention, right?) (Sharkcrew/Commons.wikimedia.org)

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