California surfer killed in shark attack may have been mistaken for prey, experts say

Fox News ^ | 10/24/2012

[youngidiot]

That’s why, whenever I surf, I carry. True story!

Seriously? Do you keep it in your hand, safety off, in case one of the dirty bastards lurches at you? HAHA.

[skeeter]

As a kid I’d go out of SF to the Farallons with my grandad. It was typical to see a half dozen blues following the boat looking for chum.

[rfp1234]

Cold water = significant shrinkage of several organs including experts’ brains.

[ichabod1]

Scientists are supposed to be trained to NEVER attribute a human thought or emotion to an animal - I know I was. There’s no way to know what or if an animal is thinking, so it’s nothing but pure anthropomorphic bias to try to imagine its thought process. In the case of sharks, the establishment wants to avoid a vendetta mentality that would result in the eradication of the species. Whether that’s good or bad, I don’t know.

[JediJones]

Holder’s justice department had to make sure it wasn’t a hate crime. That necessitated reading the mind of the shark.

[calljack]

He was very good, been surfing all his life.
He was a friend of my brother in law.
I never met him but my brother in law is pretty
wrecked about it.

[Revolting cat!]

[JediJones]

[Right Wing Assault]

He was TAKEN for prey.

Yeah, I don't imagine the shark was thinking, 'Oh, there's a human on a board. If I pretend he's some other critter, then I can eat him "by mistake."'

He was thinking, "It's alive and it's big and I don't care what it is. I'm hungry, Jack!"

Oh,the noble shark would never intentionally eat a human. It had to be a mistake! These are the same kind of idiots who go out in the woods and hug a grizzly for their last act on earth.

[JediJones]

He must’ve been pretty good, you can see the footprints in the sand next to the board and judge the size.

If that's good surfing, I'm afraid to ask what bad surfing is.

[JediJones]

He wasn't that big - 6 foot 10 inches if memory serves - and he was obviously injured. But, I put him out of his misery anyway.

It beats clubbing baby seals.

[JediJones]

[JediJones]

[lurk]

Other motives for the shark need to be considered.

Therapists are seeking interviews with the shark to be certain.

Among the possibilities:

PTSD
Hate Crime
Islamic shark offended by a silly home-made Youtube video
Ocean Rage Syndrome
Surfer displayed gang colors
Surfer exchanged gang signs
Workplace stress

The shark’s mother said he was always a good boy.

[Chickensoup]

Mistaken for prey?

I thought for sharks, surfers WERE prey, along with swimmers and clumsy boaters.

[eddie willers]

Does someone get paid for this crap?

I'm putting this into the "No shit, Sherlock" file.

[eddie willers]

Of all the Seinfeld’s, I thought that was just about the funniest one.

“Is anyone here a marine biologist?”

When George pulled that Titleist out of his pocket, I literally hit the floor laughing.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

may have mistaken the boarder for prey

I doubt the shark considered it a mistake - if seals and sea lions are on their menu, then so are we. Sympathies for the poor guy's family.

[MichiganCheese]

I caught a 6-7 foot black tip shark. Cut the line when he was at the side of the boat.

[langleyaction]

Now THAT’s an elegant reply! Loved it.