How scared are you of sharks? 

Almost everyone will answer with: very. That includes people living smack bang in the middle of the US, nowhere near an ocean. This fear has changed the way we interact with the ocean, and scientists worry that we might be making the water more dangerous for humans by accident. 

Scientists Chris Pepin-Neff and Vanessa Pirotta explain how our fear of sharks has been bolstered by culture, and share the research showing that some of our protective methods are actually putting us in greater danger.

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The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Facebook and Instagram.

This conversation is originally from a live public talks event, presented by Sydney Ideas – the University of Sydney’s flagship public talks program. You can hear the full hour-long version of this public conversation here. 

This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

How scared are you of sharks?&nbsp;
Almost everyone will answer with: very. That includes people living smack bang in the middle of the US, nowhere near an ocean. This fear has changed the way we interact with the ocean, and scientists worry that we might be making the water more dangerous for humans by accident.&nbsp;
Scientists&nbsp;<a href="https://profiles.sydney.edu.au/chris.pepin-neff">Chris Pepin-Neff</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vanessapirotta.com/">Vanessa Pirotta</a> explain how our fear of sharks has been bolstered by culture, and share the research showing that some of our protective methods are actually putting us in greater danger.
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The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by <a href="https://www.deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sydneyuni/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydney_uni/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.
This conversation is originally from a live public talks event, presented by <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sponsorships/sydney-ideas.html">Sydney Ideas</a>&nbsp;&ndash; the University of Sydney&rsquo;s flagship public talks program.&nbsp;You can hear the full hour-long version of this public conversation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sponsorships/sydney-ideas/2026/ocean-imaginaries.html">here</a>.&nbsp;
This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught,&nbsp;shared&nbsp;and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.&nbsp;

Big challenges need big solutions. Meet the minds making it happen.

Join Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and get ready to view the world from a different perspective.

From our own wellbeing to the preservation of the planet, The Solutionists dives into the most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions.

You'll discover a world of progress and possibility.



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The Solutionists is a podcast from The University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios.

This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Big challenges need big solutions. Meet the minds making it happen.
Join Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and get ready to view the world from a different perspective.
From our own wellbeing to the preservation of the planet, The Solutionists dives into the most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions.
You'll discover a world of progress and possibility.
 
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The Solutionists is a podcast from The University of Sydney, produced by <a href="https://www.deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>.
This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Big challenges need big solutions. Meet the minds making it happen.

The Solutionists, with Mark Scott

Big challenges need big solutions. Meet the minds making it happen.

Join Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and get ready to view the world from a different perspective.

From our own wellbeing to the preservation of the planet, The Solutionists dives into the most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions.

You'll discover a world of progress and possibility.



+++

The Solutionists is a podcast from The University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios.

This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.

Big challenges need big solutions. Meet the minds making it happen.
Join Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and get ready to view the world from a different perspective.
From our own wellbeing to the preservation of the planet, The Solutionists dives into the most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions.
You'll discover a world of progress and possibility.
 
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The Solutionists is a podcast from The University of Sydney, produced by <a href="https://www.deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>.
This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.