Does Megalodon still exist? Shark Week debunked
Shark videos 9 years ago 5,083,772 views
Shark Week used to be educational. Now it's filled with fake documentaries about "Megalodon" and "Submarine." Note: at :39 - the number of lightning deaths should say 28, not .28 Subscribe to our channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=voxdotcom Further reading: "Collin Drake" on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2378861/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t4 "Lake Ontario 'shark' video prompts warning from Liberal minister" (Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/07/16/lake_ontario_shark_video_prompts_warning_from_liberal_minister.html Interview with the producer of "Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives" (Forbes.com) http://www.forbes.com/sites/dinagachman/2013/11/15/how-i-love-lucy-inspired-american-chopper/ "Did Discovery Channel fake the image in its giant shark documentary?" (The Guardian) http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2014/feb/21/discovery-channel-giant-shark-documentary-george-monbiot "'Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine' is a fake documentary" (Southern Fried Science) http://www.southernfriedscience.com/?p=17533 "Shark Week is lying again about megalodon sharks" (Slate) http://www.slate.com/blogs/wild_things/2014/08/15/shark_week_megalodon_films_discovery_channel_lies_about_extinct_monster.html?wpisrc=burger_bar "How Shark Week screws scientists" (The Verge) http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/13/5998745/how-shark-week-screws-scientists "Megalodon: The Monster Shark's Dead" (National Geographic) http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/13/megalodon-the-monster-sharks-dead/ "Fraud, Deception and Lies: How Discovery's Shark Week became the greatest show on Earth" (Discover) http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/science-sushi/2014/07/18/fraud-deception-lies-discoverys-shark-week-became-greatest-show-earth/#.U-5GeYBdVBM
I personally don't enjoy documentary channels anymore. History does especulations on aliens and mithology. Discovery became a tabloid version of a science channel, National geographic do documentaries on sick dudes that drink gasoline and animal planet is basically a youtube cat video channel. There's good stuff here and there but the primetime is premier sensationalism.
10. comment for Does Megalodon still exist? Shark Week debunked
20. comment for Does Megalodon still exist? Shark Week debunked
Of course I also remember when Netflix used to be about 'flicks...
30. comment for Does Megalodon still exist? Shark Week debunked
Or, why he's hiding somewhere in deep ocean ??? What I'm think, he's alive...
50. comment for Does Megalodon still exist? Shark Week debunked
First off, consensus is not science, and belongs nowhere in scientific discussions. Consensus literally is irrelevant. Everybody thinks they're right until they are proved wrong. The consensus at the time was that the sun rotated around the earth and that the earth was flat, until those were both proved wrong. Scientific consensus is intellectual laziness, and anyone arguing a scientific point using consensus doesn't understand the scientific method and is arguing from a false premise. It baffles me when people make fun of or try to suppress someone asking questions that are outside the "scientific consensus" (i.e. global warming, evolution, holistic science, etc). We should be questioning all things scientifically.
Secondly, there is absolutely no possible way they could know it went extinct 2 million years ago. Were they there? Did they see and confirm the very last one dying? No. The ocean is VAST, and most of it is unexplored and uncharted (the depths anyway). Just because nobody has seen a living one, does not mean it's extinct. Especially considering that it's a aquatic animal that could live it's whole life at depths we don't go to often. I am NOT saying that Megalodon isn't extinct, I am just saying, remember the Coelacanth and what it represents. Nothing is ever 100% certain. Especially science!
Thirdly, it is not Discovery Channel's job to spoon feed its viewers ONLY true, factual information. What people understand is not their responsibility. I am not saying what they did was intellectually honest or smart, but they are a private channel that can do or say whatever they want. Don't watch it if it offends you, or better yet start a competing channel and broadcast your opinions... Television is for entertainment only, NOT scientific debate, and either way, don't believe what the TV tells you!
"Since when do we have to be eyewitnesses to the death of the very last one to ascertain if a species is extinct or not? Do we now have to assume there are dinosaurs roaming about on the planet, as we weren't there 65 million years ago? How do you know they didn't die out? You weren't there either! "
We don't have to assume there are dinosaurs roaming about on the planet. However, we DON'T know for 100% sure that they are all extinct."
According to your prior argument, we would though, as we weren't there to observe the last dinosaur dying with our own eyes! And why won't a 99,99999% certainty do? Hope dies last for some, I know, but this is simply ridiculous.
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"There are unexplored portions of jungle in south America, and Africa. We can't say for CERTAIN that there are no dinosaurs left. We CAN say, with a high degree of confidence that is it ALMOST certain that there are no living dinosaurs."
And up until then the more reasonable, scientific stance is to view them (apart from the whole bird lineage) as extinct, instead of assuming there is a minute chance of some obscure small species still running about in the Kongo, so we must give that more emphasis and desist from generally declaring what we understand as dinosaurs extinct! This is how desperate Loch Ness Monster freaks argue their case! As long as the Loch has one small cave, Nessie could still exist.
"Would I be surprised if a dinosaur was found? Yes, yes I would! BUT, stranger things have, and do happen. That is my point about the Coelacanth."
Yes, and I've already explained why the coelacanth is an absurd example and comparison with regards to megalodon. (And I did notice you didn't comment on that whatsoever!) If you look more closely at the coelacanth you will also notice why it is one of the few Lazarus taxon animals that has been an evolutionary success, instead of belonging to the dodo-group with 99% of all other animals.
"It's highly unlikely that a Megalodon is still alive, but since we can't view the entire ocean, it CANNOT be considered fact."
We wouldn't need to view the entire ocean! You see, there are a few things we do KNOW about this shark, the ocean, sharks in general, the deep sea, etc. Why are you totally IGNORING all that in favour of pure speculation? One could just as well argue minute beings like Jar Jar Binks exist at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, after all, we haven't explored that area and are none the wiser. This is how fringe scientists and crackpots legitimize their ideas.
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"One would have to first explain why we would expect a population of these sharks to constantly live at such depths, so they would remain so elusive for centuries and what exactly they are supposed to be feeding on."
I would have to do no such thing. Nobody could have explained why one would expect to see the Coelacanth. To claim that it's "possible" that a Megalodon could still be alive, however unlikely, does NOT require explaining as to why we would expect to see one. Just because I can't explain it, doesn't mean that it's not possible."
Yes, you would have to, if you want to be taken seriously. Again, the whole coelacanth comparison is totally ludicrous! It is possible our brains are in fluid-filled vats being probed by aliens on the planet Splugfgh. We shouldn't be looking at possibilites! We should be looking at probabilities! If someone wants to argue for the existence of megalodons at such depths that are being proposed, more is needed than mere speculation and wishful thinking with a blatant disregard for everything we do know or can safely assume about the shark in question! That's why all pro-meg-lives-advocates constantly fail...
"That is how science works, after all. It is self-correcting."
Correction, that is how science SHOULD work. It is not how it DOES work."
Don't make this into a philisophical debate. You know darn well what I mean. It is not the fringe crackpot that advances science. Just because someone can imagine Liopleurodons still roaming the ocean and then argue ad hoc, that they have evolved into animals with gills instead of lungs and live at depths exceeding 5000m, feasting on some other unknown large, energy rich food source, and have such an intelligence as to constantly evade humans, does not make it any more possible or believable. As long as nobody brings up any fresh tooth or carcass, or credible footage, it is quite reasonable to state this animal is extinct,
Returning to the prior qualm: "All shark researchers agree that Megalodon went extinct 2 million years ago."
That is a true statement. All shark researchers also give plenty of REASONS to declare the shark extinct, if someone wants to argue they still exist, they should take those arguments into consideration. The extinction of an animal is nothing extraordinary. Just counting the hits of the Lazarus taxon (e.g. coelacanth) and disregarding the misses - 99% of all the other animals. won't help in meg's case.
You make some good points!
"Since when do we have to be eyewitnesses to the death of the very last one to ascertain if a species is extinct or not? Do we now have to assume there are dinosaurs roaming about on the planet, as we weren't there 65 million years ago? How do you know they didn't die out? You weren't there either! "
We don't have to assume there are dinosaurs roaming about on the planet. However, we DON'T know for 100% sure that they are all extinct. There are unexplored portions of jungle in south America, and Africa. We can't say for CERTAIN that there are no dinosaurs left. We CAN say, with a high degree of confidence that is it ALMOST certain that there are no living dinosaurs. Would I be surprised if a dinosaur was found? Yes, yes I would! BUT, stranger things have, and do happen. That is my point about the Coelacanth. It's highly unlikely that a Megalodon is still alive, but since we can't view the entire ocean, it CANNOT be considered fact.
"One would have to first explain why we would expect a population of these sharks to constantly live at such depths, so they would remain so elusive for centuries and what exactly they are supposed to be feeding on."
I would have to do no such thing. Nobody could have explained why one would expect to see the Coelacanth. To claim that it's "possible" that a Megalodon could still be alive, however unlikely, does NOT require explaining as to why we would expect to see one. Just because I can't explain it, doesn't mean that it's not possible.
"That is how science works, after all. It is self-correcting."
Correction, that is how science SHOULD work. It is not how it DOES work. Whether or not you believe in global warming, you must admit many scientist manipulated data (that is to say, they lied) to make their arguments stronger. I think it happens a lot. Science has become a means of controlling the populace. Can you scientifically prove there are only 2 genders? Yes, you can. But that seems to go out the window to cater to sections of the populace that don't want to believe that. Can you disprove that a biological man can become a biological woman? Yes, you can. But that is unpopular, so "scientist" change the science, not because the science is new or different suddenly, but because there are mentally ill people that demand everybody cater to them, including science and biology. I submit, that science isn't how it used to be. It is a cheap, easily changeable, area that can be used to manipulate culture and policy. If that is true, it can no longer be trusted by the "scientist" that are ok with, and participate in those practices. Nothing means anything these days, only feelings. That is a shame.
True, but is is quite telling that no scientist has come forth to argue for the possible existence of the creature and those that discuss its extinction don't argue it is extinct because everyone else simply believes it is extinct!
"Secondly, there is absolutely no possible way they could know it went extinct 2 million years ago. Were they there? Did they see and confirm the very last one dying? No."
Since when do we have to be eyewitnesses to the death of the very last one to ascertain if a species is extinct or not? Do we now have to assume there are dinosaurs roaming about on the planet, as we weren't there 65 million years ago? How do you know they didn't die out? You weren't there either!
Have you even tried finding out who has actually claimed when and why "they" [the scientists] think megalodons went extinct? Those are the arguments that need to be addressed, instead of merely doubting something or being unable to understand how scientists have come to their conclusion, or even knowing if the claim in a Youtube video is actually correctly presented.
"The ocean is VAST, and most of it is unexplored and uncharted (the depths anyway)"
One would have to first explain why we would expect a population of these sharks to constantly live at such depths, so they would remain so elusive for centuries and what exactly they are supposed to be feeding on.
"Just because nobody has seen a living one, does not mean it's extinct. Especially considering that it's a aquatic animal that could live it's whole life at depths we don't go to often"
Have you actually read any scientific paper on megalodons? As this animal used to hunt medium sized whales, dugongs, other marine mammals, large fish, etc., practically filling the same ecological niche the white shark fills today, why should we assume it lives its whole life at depths we dont go ofte?. Fact of the matter is we should have no problems whatsoever observing such an animal.
"I am NOT saying that Megalodon isn't extinct, I am just saying, remember the Coelacanth and what it represents."
How can one really compare a slow-moving, nocturnally active, highly specialized fish that hides in caves and grows to about 2 meters in length, with a 16m+ apex predator likened to a white shark?
"Nothing is ever 100% certain."
Is that a certainty?
"Especially science!"
Well, as soon as a fresh tooth, a carcass, a carcass of some whale with huge fresh bitemarks, or even some credible sighting comes along, scientists will surely analyze the fresh data and redact their prior assessment, if necessary. That is how science works, after all. It is self-correcting. What we shouldn't be doing is simply speculating or appealing to disbelief, whilst ignoring all we do know or can reasonably infer from the data at hand though.
"Thirdly, it is not Discovery Channel's job to spoon feed its viewers ONLY true, factual information"
Nobody is arguing that!
"What people understand is not their responsibility."
So, if a channel has built up a reputation for being trustworthy, factual, etc. over the years and they suddenly dupe viewers by presenting a pseudo-documentary with insufficient disclaimers, it is not the channel's responsibility what their viewers understand?
"I am not saying what they did was intellectually honest or smart, but they are a private channel that can do or say whatever they want."
That is the whole point though, it wasn't honest! If they had made it quite clear that it is a fictive what -if scenario, most people probably wouldn't have minded and enjoyed it for what it was! No one is arguing a private channel cannot do as they please!
"Don't watch it if it offends you, or better yet start a competing channel and broadcast your opinions..."
This is a ridiculous proposal in light of the fact that most viewers were not aware it was a pseudo-documentary at the time it aired! Are people not allowed to voice their opinions and criticize programmes on television, especially if they have been duped into believing a programme is an actual documentary by a channel which up until then had not acted in such a way? Moreover, this video aims to debunk the pseudo-documentaries as many still are not aware of their true nature, especially kids. There is NOTHING wrong with that either!
"Television is for entertainment only, NOT scientific debate,.."
Says who? Where is it written that television is for entertainment only or that it has to be?
"and either way, don't believe what the TV tells you!"
Nor videos or commentators on Youtube for that matter...
Do we even know? I wonder when they went extinct..
Hold up I need to do some research
Did you not watch the video? They said they faked it.
Then, there's the claim of 10% exploration, which supposedly increaces the chance of giant sharks (like megalodon). Exactly why should the detailed mapping of the ocean floor have any influence on the existence (and conceilment) of giant sharks like megalodon? What ecological niche do you think such a shark is filling?
If meg were alive today, surely we'd know about it. They'd be hunting all sorts of marine mammals. feeding on bloated whale carcasses, upending boats, etc, etc...
a single shark could not possibly survive over millions of years. There needs to be a population, so it is rather silly to assume "there must be one somewhere out there..."
As to your new argument:
>We've only explored 5% of the ocean so (a) megalodon must still exist.< That simply does not follow logically! By the way, those popular 5% everyone likes to parrot on these meg videos is actually based on the detailed mapping of the ocean floor. That has got nothing to do with this huge shark remaining undetected for so long whatsoever, if it still were alive.
100. comment for Does Megalodon still exist? Shark Week debunked
2nd: Nobody watches tv anymore, just "let it die. Kill it if u have to" - kylo ren
...Apart from the fossil record, lack of credible sightings, lack of carcasses - be it of megs themselves or their prey, lack of a single fresh tooth, lack of any good arguments that speak for megs continued unobservable existence with mankind, the ignorance with regards to the many plausible reasons meg went extinct, etc, etc...
What have you to offer? The Lazarus effect...wow, just wow...
"there are many aquatic creatures that have been claimed to be extinct that have magicly reappeared...."
and they are comparable to megalodon in what way, except for being aquatic?
"...yet as per clever dicks like yourself claim to have the monopoly on these things,..."
where? Moreover, what can you offer up against the plethora of reasons megs are extinct, like 99% of all other animals, including megs predecessors, megs favorite prey and even rivals? Do tell us why you think meg had a more than better chance of survival up to modern day.
"..people who make such statements come across as incredibly pompous..."
Indeed you do, especially if you come with no good arguments and harp on about something this video wasn't really about anyway.
"..as you cannot know what the ocean holds!"
Well, scientists base their conclusions on actual facts and data. They don't just imagine things that are (not) there or could possibly still be around because we'd like it to be so. I don't see you engaging in any factual argumention, just snide remarks against the uploader, thinking this is some kind of 50/50 chance megs still are alive and kicking. Have you actually read a single paper on megalodon or are you just talking out of your arse here?
BECAUSE I DONT WANT MY LEG GONE!! You stupied -.-
If Megalodon evolved into some other sort of giant shark then it wouldn't be Megalodon still.
I am so sick of these fake documentaries. National geographic's channels do much better wildlife documentaries and have better shows all around at this point. The BBC documentaries are excellent too.
I think American television is lost, but hopefully not forever. I really enjoyed History channel and Discovery channel from pre-2010.
Is very nolstalgic tome btw
That illegal they have to go to jail for this
I could list most of them but I’m sure we all know and sadly watch a lot of them
Me and their not our problem...
So this means were the ones threatening the sharks
Not the sharks threatening us
An "entertainment" channel that hosts hunt'n "reality shows", pays scum to murder animals to become hillbillies' wet dream TV to generate revenue - is a channel that has no right to exist. Every inbred #untermensch involved needs to be culled, not simply lose its job.
I stopped watching "Discovery" channel & "National geographic" the moment I found it out. Pathetic, inbred, evil, cheating scum they are, not unlike their minions. Be damned, hicks. Drop dead.
You can just say yes or no
Croc attacks are very rare ------------- Unless you live in Australia.
Snake attacks are very rare ---------- Unless you live in Australia.
Spider attacks are very rare --------- Unless you like in Australia.
Megalodon was to big to evolve to a today shark
I don't grammar because grammar is bacisy adding emotion in text i don't do that i give and only say what i know to be fact so grammar is pointless unless your point of view is only based on empty feelings only
The Pyrenean ibex was the frist one we have bring back but it had lung problem that type of thing also would be unknown to we actually try it
Like uh, people are scared of sharks or so...
The Megaladon
Geuss what?!
I LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA
A few tens of millions of years ago
Megalodon is extinct because all fossils of it show it indeed died a few million years ago and doesn't have much food, and the ocean not being 100% explored is a straw man by the fact megalodon was a surface water apex predator.
Well who know what down there
And what it will do
Will it change our world forever?
To find credible legit sources from people who actually know what they are talking about you can find peer reviewed cited info lol
If I want to watch good fantasy with great scenery I would watch Lord of the Rings, Discovery.
can they just eat their extra children?