More People Die from Selfies Than from Shark Attacks Each Year
A person taking a selfie dangerously close to a cliff edge with a shark fin visible in the distant ocean below — illustrating the ironic mismatch
Studies have found that selfie-related deaths — from falls, drownings, and vehicle accidents — significantly outnumber shark attack fatalities globally. India, Russia, and the United States have the highest selfie death rates.
Why It’s Interesting
It is a striking example of how humans are terrible at assessing risk. We fear the dramatic and rare (sharks) while ignoring the mundane and common (distracted behavior near edges). Our risk perception is shaped by narrative, not data.
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