Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
Episode: Predator or Prey: The Real Jaws with Rachel Lee Perez
Host: Alycia Asai
Guest: Rachel Lee Perez (historian, author, podcaster)
Date: January 20, 2026
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode, Alycia Asai interviews historian and author Rachel Lee Perez about her latest book, The Real Jaws: The Attacks That Inspired the Movies. The conversation delves into the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks—events that not only sparked widespread shark terror but also inspired the cultural phenomenon that is Jaws. Together, Alycia and Rachel explore the historical circumstances surrounding the attacks, the birth of shark-related myths, media ethics, and the ecological impact of sustained fear and misinformation about sharks.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Inspiration for the Book & Historical Context
- Perez's fascination started with covering the obscure 1916 attacks on her podcast, leading to deeper research for her book.
"The 1916 shark attacks were one of those random topics... It always fascinated me... the way that the polio epidemic and German American internment and even New York City's sanitation system all played a role." — Rachel (03:14)
- Societal backdrop in 1916: Growing leisure culture, the polio epidemic driving urbanites to the shoreline, America on the brink of entering WWI, all contributed to widespread public anxiety and retreat to vacation destinations.
“With all of these facets, people were traveling to places like New Jersey resort towns in numbers unlike ever before.” — Rachel (06:19)
2. The Origins of Shark Fear
- Shark fear is ancient and persistent, rooted in the unknown and the elusive nature of sharks.
"It's really the fear of the unknown... for centuries, we have filled in the gaps of our knowledge with our imagination..." — Rachel (04:15)
- Research on sharks was limited until the mid-20th century, which amplified myths and misinformation.
3. Media's Role Before and After the Attacks
- Initial attempts to suppress news of the attacks mirrored the fictional narrative in Jaws: economic concerns overruled public safety.
"After the first attack, it was hardly reported... It doesn't even reference a shark. It says that it's a death by fish." — Rachel (08:25)
- Escalating sensationalism: By the end of the attacks, local and even international media indulged in fabrications, fueling public panic and misinformation.
4. Impact on Coastal Culture and Perception of Sharks
- Little long-term change to Americans' relationship with the ocean, but a marked shift in attitudes toward sharks.
- Massive retaliatory shark hunts followed both the 1916 events and the release of Jaws.
"While our relationship with the water didn't change, by and large, it very much changed how we perceive sharks and our responses to them." — Rachel (11:25)
5. Human Stories Amid Tragedy
- Rachel shares a moving poem written by the sister of Stanley Fisher, the final victim, emphasizing the personal grief beneath headlines.
“What pain he bore, we will never know. We did not see him die. We only know that he is gone and never said goodbye.” — Fisher’s sister (13:13)
- This focus on individual experience highlights history's human dimension and invites empathy.
6. Blurring Fact and Fiction
- Experts in 1916 grossly underestimated sharks, claiming they couldn't harm humans—a misconception quickly overturned by events.
- Persistent media myths (e.g., victims being found inside sharks' stomachs) multiplied fear and distorted reality.
7. The 'Jaws Effect' and Lasting Cultural Impact
- Jaws (1975) utterly transformed public perception and pop culture, establishing sharks as villainous man-eaters and inaugurating the modern summer blockbuster.
“Jaws, however, genuinely changed history... It became the first summer blockbuster...” — Rachel (20:08)
- The 'Jaws Effect' (term coined by Prof. Christopher Neff):
- Sharks intentionally bite humans
- Human-shark encounters are always fatal
- Sharks should be killed to prevent future attacks
8. Peter Benchley’s Evolution
- Initial success of Jaws (book and film) created unforeseen ecological consequences.
- Benchley later advocated for shark conservation, stating:
“If he were to rewrite the book... he would portray the humans and not the sharks as the villains.” — Rachel (24:49)
9. Real-World Harm from Cultural Fear
- Shark culling programs (esp. in Australia and South Africa) kill thousands of sharks and countless other marine creatures due to fear-driven policies.
- Technological alternatives (drones, alarms, tagging) exist but are underused relative to culling and nets.
10. Positive Effects and Shark Fascination
- Jaws also sparked fascination and education about sharks for many, fostering new interest in marine conservation.
“So many people became fascinated with sharks and watching Shark Week... There’s a much more positive response than negative nowadays.” — Rachel (28:52)
11. Lessons from History for Today
- Understanding the 1916 attacks and the aftermath helps us reframe our relationship with sharks:
“The main thing that I want readers to take away... is that the ocean is the shark’s home and not ours... Our very way of life... doesn’t exist as is without the presence of sharks.” — Rachel (30:57)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On media ethics and fear
"All of this ties back into the major role that the media and journalism plays in stoking fear in the public." — Rachel (09:43)
- On humanity's relationship with sharks
"We need to learn how to respect and coexist with them as opposed to dominate them, whether that be through force or even just through perception and fear." — Rachel (31:47)
- On shark attack risk
"The chances of being attacked by a shark are 1 in 11.5 million, and the chances of being killed by a shark are less than 1 in 264.1 million. You're more likely to be killed by a coconut falling out of a tree and hitting your head..." — Rachel (34:53)
- On why history matters
"It’s human stories. It’s people just like you and me having the exact same experiences that we have." — Rachel (15:45)
- On Jaws' resonance
"Jaws once again filled in those gaps. It made these elusive, mysterious creatures... into real life, human eating machines." — Rachel (22:59)
- Personal note
“My sister passed while I was pregnant and reading her account just like really hit me and understanding her pain...” — Rachel (12:59)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction & Guest Background — 00:01–02:30
- Inspiration for the Book — 02:30–03:49
- History of Shark Fear — 04:00–05:06
- Social/Cultural Context in 1916 — 05:25–07:20
- Media Suppression & Journalism Ethics — 07:41–09:59
- Impact on Ocean Culture & Shark Perception — 10:10–12:11
- Firsthand Accounts & Human Impact — 12:37–15:13
- Myths & Expert Missteps — 16:33–18:53
- Emergence of ‘Jaws Effect’ — 19:12–22:12
- Jaws and Cultural Resonance — 22:12–23:45
- Peter Benchley & Conservation — 23:45–25:31
- Ecological Consequences — 25:31–28:18
- Positive Effects & Shark Enthusiasm — 28:23–29:22
- Connecting Past and Present — 29:27–30:48
- Message of the Book — 30:48–31:59
- Where to Find Rachel’s Work/New Projects — 32:14–34:35
- Shark Attack Statistics — 34:49–36:05
Final Takeaways
- The 1916 New Jersey shark attacks shaped a century of shark perception, culminating in the global impact of Jaws—a cultural phenomenon with real-world ecological implications.
- Rachel Lee Perez’s book encourages historical perspective, empathy, and a new respect for sharks as vital members of the ocean ecosystem, not monsters.
- The episode calls on listeners to question media narratives, appreciate history’s human stories, and see the ocean through a more informed, respectful lens.
For more:
- Check out Rachel’s podcast: History
- Instagram: @historyscorepodcast, @rachelleeperezauthor
- Book: The Real Jaws
- Projects: Upcoming works on Dorothea Puente (Sacramento serial killer) and the Salem Witch Trials
“The ocean is the shark's home, not ours... We need a healthy respect and healthy perspective.” — Rachel Lee Perez (30:48, 34:53)