The title of this episode will probably elicit either one of two reactions from you: fear (and possible a very famous 2-note theme song), or unfiltered love and curiosity. And quite possibly, a bit of both! Are sharks actually deserving of our collective apprehension? Did Stephen Spielberg do them dirty? Should we all be "Shark Bitches"? All this and more in our toothy deep-dive!

Sources:

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/

https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/resource-center/stories/understanding-shark-attacks-myths-realities-and-conservation/

https://oceana.org/marine-life/whale-shark/

https://river-monsters.fandom.com/wiki/Legend_of_Loch_Ness

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37047168

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Blue_(great_white_shark)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2024/12/08/sharks-are-50-million-years-older-than-trees-a-biologist-explains/

https://sharkstewards.org/how-jaws-influenced-shark-perception/

For some, she's an idol. For others, she's a capitalist nightmare. The truth? Probably somewhere in between. In the aftermath of her fairytale wedding, let's unpack all the complicated ways Taylor Swift has come to represent so much that's wrong with the world, and why we maybe shouldn't be projecting all of that onto her.

Sources:

• https://www.buzzfeed.com/ellendurney/adam-sandler-officiating-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-wedding
• https://www.buzzfeed.com/jadagomez/mamdani-taylor-swift-paid-nypd
• https://www.timesofisrael.com/adam-sandler-officiates-taylor-swifts-wedding-fueling-debate-on-singers-israel-stance/
• https://carbonmarketwatch.org/2024/02/13/taylor-swift-and-the-top-polluters-department/
• https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240213-taylor-swift-private-jet-flight-travel-carbon-footprint
• Special thanks to the "Nuancing Taylor Swift" subreddit

Last week was the season finale of Love Island USA. After a month and a half of emotional upheaval, friendships we strongly endorse, and romantic relationships we could take or leave (except our winning couple, of course, #Brinity Forever), it's time to ask: are we allowed to like this mega popular reality dating show? As always, the answer is yes (with a strong emphasis on the "yes"). Spoilers ahead for the last 3 seasons of Love Island USA, and a brief mention of suicide.

Sources:

• Enter the Villa: The (Unauthorized) Reality Behind Love Island by Anna Peele, published by Atria Books
• https://defector.com/i-finally-understand-why-im-obsessed-with-love-island
• https://parade.com/living/traits-of-people-who-watch-love-island-every-day-according-to-psychologist