Monday, August 02, 2010

Ritter and the Enablers


Lookee lookee – the Sharkitarians are on the move!

These are the upcoming trips of Ritter’s Sharkschool – and what is more interesting, the names of the enablers!
Don’t get me wrong, if a bunch of whackos want to go on a dive cruise or book a nice hotel in the tropics, all the power to them and especially, to those who take their money! Whackos are certainly one of the most lucrative market segments and the backbone of entire thriving industries – just think of the New Age movement and its various gurus and quacks or, with all due respect, look at the millions raked in by the global Whale watch industry!

But the Shark diving operators?
There’s really no two ways about this: by whatever metrics one applies, Ritter is just a bad, bad guy and any serious and self respecting operator needs to turn down his business, period!
Or is it once again all about the money, as in pecunia non olet?

But back to Doktor Ritter and his track record.
He has pretty much singlehandedly destroyed a thriving Shark ecotourism operation and conservation project on Walker’s Cay when he decided to take the money and allow Discovery to air the infamous footage of the Shark attack (no that was not an incident!) that cost him his calf. He has also conned several Shark NGOs, namely at least the Shark Foundation and Shark Project (and I suspect, at present, the SRI) of substantial amounts of research money without ever engaging in proper research, let alone publishing a single paper in exchange.
But then, one could argue that the past is the past and that it’s none of our business anyway, and I partly agree.

As for his scientific credentials, or lack of, what can I say.
It just so happens that I’ve studied Biology at the same University of Zurich as he and thus know that Ritter is a Wildbiologe, a very alpine and equally arcane discipline investigating the life history of Mountain Goats and the like. Having then self promoted himself to Shark researcher, he has published a couple of utterly irrelevant papers that few have read and nobody ever remembers, let alone cites.
Apart from that, the bulk of his productions consists in several idiotic little publications intended to educate, or whatever, the public at large that have been authoritatively reviewed as follows, and I cite

The lack of references also detracts from the ability to assess some of the claims and leaves one with the impression that most of the book is pseudoscience.

Finally, the volume is prone to hyperbole. For example, calling overfishing of sharks the largest ecological time bomb of all is absurd given our understanding of global climate change.

Although this book should be of interest to a general audience and is well intentioned, it does not add to our understanding of shark biology, their natural behavior, or their role in marine communities.

Ritter’s absurd non science quickly catapulted him to notoriety, and then to pariah status among his peers, at which he obviously decided to engage into what the Germans call Flucht nach vorne and to start thinking outside of the box – which quickly landed him way out there in left field and consequently, in the maws of a hungry Bull Shark.

Other would call it the ramblings of a lunatic - I call what he teaches Sharkitarianism.
Very much like New Age, it’s a mixture of truisms, pseudoscience, Rousseau-inspired romanticism and pseudo-visionary platitudes (check out the atrocious video!) that purports to breach the confines of petty conventionalism by creating a web of half truths and inane intuitive and always untested hypotheses, abusing scientific insights and language and accusing the perceived other side of being small minded, biased and intolerant - and in case I’m being too intellectually lofty here: it’s total bullshit, baloney, rubbish!
Case in point, the ramblings in the video I’ve posted here - pure snake oil!

The modus operandi is this – and lemme tell you, like all successful charlatans, the guy is crafty!
Having correctly, and cunningly diagnosed the Angstzination (a clever combination of the German world for fear and that for fascination coined by his then mentor and now victim Wegner of Sharkproject) for Sharks of the public at large, he has proclaimed himself to be the world’s foremost expert in Shark-human interaction.
The latter is a conveniently self-invented fusion of amateur psychology and untested, and obviously untestable insights from the Global (and once again, utterly irrelevant) Shark Attack File where he equally conveniently happens to be the resident Shark Behaviorist. And let’s not forget his stints as self-proclaimed Shark attack pathologist and his sanctimonious creation of SAVN, now apparently suspended!
Add to it the serendipitous occurrence, and above all, the survival of a veritable Shark attack and you have all the trappings for the start of a lucrative career as the world’s premier Shark Attack Guru - oh and for the German speakers: as Shark Shaman, too!
Wow - talk about having gone off the deep end!

But back to the topic at hand: this is precisely the insidiousness of Ritter’s proposition.
It’s exactly like Discovery’s recent roll-out. Forget the attempt at greenwashing by proffering Shark conservation sound bites - this is exclusively about making money by exploiting the fear of Shark attacks, pure Shark Porn!
By preaching to his disciples that they will only be able to safely interact with Sharks once they’ve given him their money, attended his seminars and learned his visionary techniques, he directly propagates the image of the ever lurking, man hunting monster.
Can you see that too - or is it once again just me who is blinded by conventionalism and incapable of thinking outside of the aforementioned box? Looks like I'm not alone!

As to the Fiji trip, now we know.
Nothing to add to what I said here – and no, it comes at no surprise!

23 comments:

Unknown said...

This was a cheap shot against ERich Ritter, shame on you....

Information said...

Not so cheap, this was a million dollar shot at a self styled ego maniac who is on a fast track to do more silly things with sharks this time with paying clients in tow.

I feel bad for the sharks.

Anonymous said...

This was a very cheap shot against Ritter and you don't even have the courage to sign your name - shame on you.

Unknown said...

I don't know Ritter, but he obviously is far more knowledgeable about sharks than you - your jealously is apparent and very telling. "You can always tell the leaders from the arrows in their back"

The Sharkman said...

Whoever thinks that this is a cheap shot against Ritter, should sign up on one of his "cheap" projects, and later come and tell us about it.

Remember, you are safe because this is the guy that claims that he can comunicate with sharks!! He even wrote a book about it!! Probably he even told the shark to take his calf off!!

Ritter and his "Shark Bite" documentary have done more damage to the shark's image than "Jaws" ever did!!

Jupp said...

I have been watching for several years now, how those who claim to do it all for the sharks, like to engage in this kind of character assassination.
This is sad and very embarrassing to witness and I don't know who could possibly gain anything from it.
I am relatively new to this business of shark conservation and I cannot figure out why this is done by so many of us.
Instead of working together to save the sharks, everybody hates everybody and tries very hard to make the other guy look bad.
I am one of the "wackows" who went to Erichs shark school several years ago. I learned some valuable lessons. Erich is a friend of mine and I have no idea, what those cheap attacks against a person, who is spending his life to work with and for the sharks, is supposed to accomplish.
We all say that we want to save and protect sharks, but instead we are wasting time and money to make fellow shark protectors look as bad as we can.
I am very sad about this and I can only hope that one day, we will all work against those who really harm the sharks and not against those who do exactly what we all claim to do:
One way or another work to educate the public about sharks.
Every fool is different. So let us leave it at that and, for God's sake, let us stop badmouthing each other.
Jupp Kerckerinck

DaShark said...

Always interesting when I get accused of cowardice on my very own, very public blog – by somebody choosing to be anonymous! Surely, this must be better than the usual underhanded sniping, the more as I choose not to censor the comments?

As to this being cheap, what is being contested: the style - the facts – the conclusions?

The style is what it is – as to the latter, I’m just connecting the dots.

Jupp as you know I like and respect you and kudos for defending a friend.
I also hear you when you say that we need to stop bickering and instead join ranks for the common cause.

Where I’m coming from is this.
In the big scheme of things, Ritter has thankfully become totally irrelevant – but in German speaking Europe, he still holds rock star status and is being quoted in the mainstream media, along with his abstruse visions.

I mean, seriously, have you watched the videos and read that link to shamanism - with a neutral mindset?
How can that stuff which is being regurgitated into the public domain remain unanswered? And this from a guy that calls himself a Shark researcher and is thus supposed to be more credible than the uneducated public?

Being in the thick of it, you know all too well how difficult it is to achieve tangible results in Shark conservation.
One of the preconditions for ever being successful in engaging in dialogue with the powers that be that will ultimately make the decisions is to be strictly fact based. These platitudes and pseudo-religious rubbish, and the mindset that goes with them only reinforce the view that Shark conservationists are just a bunch of lunatics, and make everything just so much more difficult.
And on top of it, I re-iterate my view that this is nothing but Shark porn pure and simple!

Ad personam attacks are never pleasant and will always trigger responses like these, always against the perceived aggressor and regardless of the merits of what is being said.
Such is the nature of the game.
The alternative is FriedeFreudeEierkuchen, meaning that in the name of tolerance and universal peace and harmony, we abdicate the stage in favor of those who are most reckless, most vocal and most preposterous.
I’m just not willing to accept that: not in religion, not in politics and not here.

Having now been feathered with four arrows, with undoubtedly more to come: do I now qualify for being called a leader as well?

Wolfgang Leander said...

Gut gebruellt, Loewe. I am with you, Mike, as much as I respect Jupp's view (= shark people should unite - if they are compatible, that is).

It is true that Erich has become totally irrelevant in the Americas whereas Europeans still believe that he is a leading shark scientist which he just ain't.

I will not forget Erich's Shark Week feature "The Anatomy of a Shark Bite". THAT was a piece of rubbish which has caused a lot of damage to the sharks, unfortunately, and, rightfully, to Ritter's reputation as a shark expert....

Jupp: I don't think that Erich has ever distinguished himself as a serious shark conservationist. Please enlighten me if I am wrong.

Lady - whoever you are: What makes you think that Erich is "far more knowledgeable about sharks" than Mike? You don't know either; so, how can you tell?

Patric said...

O.K - Back to your corners everyone.

Jupp put down that knife, Mike that rusty metal pipe behind your back, I see it, and Sharkman that wriggling Goblin Shark, put it back in the tank where it came from!

Ritter is Ritter, his history includes setting the perception of sharks back to the stone age by personally setting himself into a no win situation with sharks.

Thus goeth those who push the shark envelope to the breaking point.

He has even coined an industry term, "To be Rittered" or putting oneself into a no win situation with sharks.

If the guy wants to come back with a Shark School I say Caveat emptor.

As for the alleged slam against Ritter and his grand personhood here?

C'mon. You don't get to trade up on the infamous shark bite and go on to build a shark school on said bite without some blow back?

We're all a bit bigger then where this discussion was going.

DaShark said...

P: touché!

vancollersophia@yahoo.com said...

...What can I say? Reading this is like watching 5 year olds fighting in a sandpit. Waste of time, waste of energy and to all the empty vessels singing their own praises...What are you doing RIGHT NOW for shark conservation??, not for your egos or bank balance. Very very sad when egos rule the world. No one would be fighting if we were saving an endangered shrew.I say learn something from those who silently get on with the job. Spend your energy on sweeping in front of your own door, clean your own reef, educate your fishermen, teach your kids.

DaShark said...

Sophia if that's a question, please look at

http://fijisharkdive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119&Itemid=81

and various links posted there.

vancollersophia@yahoo.com said...

Well, it looks like you're on a good path, Mike. Dont let bad karma trip you on the way...leave the mud slinging to others.

DaShark said...

Vinaka Sophia.

Keep an eye on this space, some novel and exciting stuff coming soon!

Anonymous said...

Jupp,

Show us by example of groups getting along for shark conservation. Let’s see your SRI/GSAF get along with the AES, ISAF, and Burgess for the sharks.

Let’s see Marie and Burgess give each other a big hug and start working together for the sharks.

Not going to happen is it?

Pascal Gospodinov said...

Hello Person(s)who can sign because you are too afraid... but let´s call the two of you Juerg Brunnschweiler and Mike Neumann... We all know that the two are behind anyway...

Another peace of cowardism... well done... not even daring to sign..WOW. I guess my posting will be erased as soon as you see this but that will just be another proof how scared you guys are from a person like Erich Ritter... No worries, I can send my response to your trash to selected people...

Let me call the two of you just "you"... and don´t post on your blog that it was neither of you that would be to lame...

What was the reason this time to attack him anyway? Are you really so afraid of him that you can´t control your urges anymore?

Brunnschweiler, Brunnschweiler, Brunnschweiler: You were his pupil, he gave you the chance when no else would since you were not really an excellent student...and the moment he kicked you out for cheating and using his accident for your own profit, you turn into a jealous little betrayer. Yes you are... other people know. Remember when you were cheating on your soon-to-be wife (Walkers 2001???), and then got really cranky because Erich did not want to accept your squeeze toy as a master student, and allthe other little episodes over there that would not feflect too good on you if all of a sudden BLOGs would be filled with them? Remember when you tried to bring me on yout side - more than once - telling me lies about Erich, or when you tried to get Kai as well, telling him the same bs - but Kai is a psychologist who saw through you in a second... Shall we post your e-mails and letters to show your true colors? I guess you don’t want that... ok, if my response is still up there for the others: I was Erich’s graduate student and am now his PhD Student and am affiliated with the University of Mainz, Kai is a psychologist, PhD, from the University of Zurich, we are both members of Erich’s team. We run quite some exciting research outside the box and that is one of the little things Erich does best, he thinks differently!!!!...), and at the same token that is what Brunnschweiler hates, someone who just does his work who couldn’t care less about Brunnschweilers of this world...

Pascal said...

Back to this BLOG: Both of you try to bring him down whenever you can.... yes Neumann you too: why do you call Erich a “scharlatan” when talking to client’s of yours? I can tell you why because you are - like Brunnschweiler - afraid of the people like Erich. I am aware how you (!) once tried to be part of Erich fame... you failed, and so you turn against him... very mature. BTW: this client said that he would never dive with you anymore for obvious reasons.. But these are the little things... but writing lies to editors, so that Erich can’t publish his papers, that is heavy!!!!! You both just told us that nobody will ever remember or even read his publications. So why are you trying then to stop his publications which of course will be published, sooner or later! Or belittle them????? You call Erich’s writings idiotic publications… He has written 5 books so far (one is actually a bestseller), 2 more an in the tube, not to mention his upcoming contributions to other fields of his expertise... and you call that idiotic? Brunnschweiler you forgot to mention who helped you with your first publication... you have written 1 book - correct me if i am wrong - but in there is absolutely nothing new, you just copy some basic shark publications and gave it a new appearance, but I didn´t read anything I didn´t know yet - but you repeated quite a few errors again with regards to shark behavior - so much for your expertise -,… I call that idiotic… But Erich has new ideas, and is not shy to present them and put them in the open... he dares to be challenged. Galileo had new Ideas, Darwin had new ideas… not accepted in there time but history remembers… I don´t want to compare Erich with one of those guys but…. considering his status and way of thinking people will remember him, not you or Neumann... well, you may be mentioned down the road as two oddballs who were so afraid of him that they used every which way to discredit him... NOW there is a long list of such people in history... New ideas have to be discussed and not banned, just because some close minded guys - like the two of you - don´t agree with that!!!! Erich gives birth to new concepts and that’s not idiotic… being a copy cat and thinking one had accomplished something special, how do YOU call that??? BTW: Feeling the need to highlight articles in daily news papers on your publication list is is not an accomplishment!!!! Neither is then fail to a publication where you are just 2nd author after Erich...
But yes your are right with your affirmation that Erich tried to propose shamanistic workshops…. But in order to understand the thinking behind it you two would have to think a little first. Brunnschweiler and Neumann: - Learn to investigate and understand before trying to make Erich look stupid! We had a real shaman who wanted to propose this kind of workshop. And because Erich is really open minded and tries new ways do bring THE message to others he decided to give it a try and launch a shamanistic workshop with sharks…. Esoteric people meeting sharks! Why not: where is your problem… The problem with people like you is that you can’t think outside the box for obvious reasons... there are many shamans out there and you can find them in many different cultures (but that would go beyond your comprehension)... You just try to degrade everything Erich does. BTW: Who of the two of you came up with this idea that Erich is a “Wildtierbiologe” - good one. Are you guys really that low? Erich and goats? What bullshit is that? You know that Erich wrote his master thesis on some aspects of sharks, and his PhD project dealt with behavioral and ecological aspects of freshwater perch….that he worked with Gruber in Bimini and and and, so why trying to bring in goats now????

Pascal said...

Back to this BLOG: Both of you try to bring him down whenever you can.... yes Neumann you too: why do you call Erich a “scharlatan” when talking to client’s of yours? I can tell you why because you are - like Brunnschweiler - afraid of the people like Erich. I am aware how you (!) once tried to be part of Erich fame... you failed, and so you turn against him... very mature. BTW: this client said that he would never dive with you anymore for obvious reasons.. But these are the little things... but writing lies to editors, so that Erich can’t publish his papers, that is heavy!!!!! You both just told us that nobody will ever remember or even read his publications. So why are you trying then to stop his publications which of course will be published, sooner or later! Or belittle them????? You call Erich’s writings idiotic publications… He has written 5 books so far (one is actually a bestseller), 2 more an in the tube, not to mention his upcoming contributions to other fields of his expertise... and you call that idiotic? Brunnschweiler you forgot to mention who helped you with your first publication... you have written 1 book - correct me if i am wrong - but in there is absolutely nothing new, you just copy some basic shark publications and gave it a new appearance, but I didn´t read anything I didn´t know yet - but you repeated quite a few errors again with regards to shark behavior - so much for your expertise -,… I call that idiotic… But Erich has new ideas, and is not shy to present them and put them in the open... he dares to be challenged. Galileo had new Ideas, Darwin had new ideas… not accepted in there time but history remembers… I don´t want to compare Erich with one of those guys but…. considering his status and way of thinking people will remember him, not you or Neumann... well, you may be mentioned down the road as two oddballs who were so afraid of him that they used every which way to discredit him... NOW there is a long list of such people in history... New ideas have to be discussed and not banned, just because some close minded guys - like the two of you - don´t agree with that!!!! Erich gives birth to new concepts and that’s not idiotic… being a copy cat and thinking one had accomplished something special, how do YOU call that??? BTW: Feeling the need to highlight articles in daily news papers on your publication list is is not an accomplishment!!!! Neither is then fail to a publication where you are just 2nd author after Erich...
But yes your are right with your affirmation that Erich tried to propose shamanistic workshops…. But in order to understand the thinking behind it you two would have to think a little first. Brunnschweiler and Neumann: - Learn to investigate and understand before trying to make Erich look stupid! We had a real shaman who wanted to propose this kind of workshop. And because Erich is really open minded and tries new ways do bring THE message to others he decided to give it a try and launch a shamanistic workshop with sharks…. Esoteric people meeting sharks! Why not: where is your problem… The problem with people like you is that you can’t think outside the box for obvious reasons... there are many shamans out there and you can find them in many different cultures (but that would go beyond your comprehension)... You just try to degrade everything Erich does. BTW: Who of the two of you came up with this idea that Erich is a “Wildtierbiologe” - good one. Are you guys really that low? Erich and goats? What bullshit is that? You know that Erich wrote his master thesis on some aspects of sharks, and his PhD project dealt with behavioral and ecological aspects of freshwater perch….that he worked with Gruber in Bimini and and and, so why trying to bring in goats now????

Pascal said...

Back to this BLOG: Both of you try to bring him down whenever you can.... yes Neumann you too: why do you call Erich a “scharlatan” when talking to client’s of yours? I can tell you why because you are - like Brunnschweiler - afraid of the people like Erich. I am aware how you (!) once tried to be part of Erich fame... you failed, and so you turn against him... very mature. BTW: this client said that he would never dive with you anymore for obvious reasons.. But these are the little things... but writing lies to editors, so that Erich can’t publish his papers, that is heavy!!!!! You both just told us that nobody will ever remember or even read his publications. So why are you trying then to stop his publications which of course will be published, sooner or later! Or belittle them????? You call Erich’s writings idiotic publications… He has written 5 books so far (one is actually a bestseller), 2 more an in the tube, not to mention his upcoming contributions to other fields of his expertise... and you call that idiotic? Brunnschweiler you forgot to mention who helped you with your first publication... you have written 1 book - correct me if i am wrong - but in there is absolutely nothing new, you just copy some basic shark publications and gave it a new appearance, but I didn´t read anything I didn´t know yet - but you repeated quite a few errors again with regards to shark behavior - so much for your expertise -,… I call that idiotic… But Erich has new ideas, and is not shy to present them and put them in the open... he dares to be challenged. Galileo had new Ideas, Darwin had new ideas… not accepted in there time but history remembers… I don´t want to compare Erich with one of those guys but…. considering his status and way of thinking people will remember him, not you or Neumann... well, you may be mentioned down the road as two oddballs who were so afraid of him that they used every which way to discredit him... NOW there is a long list of such people in history... New ideas have to be discussed and not banned, just because some close minded guys - like the two of you - don´t agree with that!!!! Erich gives birth to new concepts and that’s not idiotic… being a copy cat and thinking one had accomplished something special, how do YOU call that??? BTW: Feeling the need to highlight articles in daily news papers on your publication list is is not an accomplishment!!!! Neither is then fail to a publication where you are just 2nd author after Erich...

Pascal said...

And why highlight DOKTOR Ritter? You two know exactly that he earned his doctorate... so give the man the credits... But then again, its just like the other time you - Brunnschweiler - wrote in another BLOG that Erich calls himself a professor…. Just because a diver wrote in his own little personal website that Erich teaches on the university and because the guy doesn’t knew it better was calling Erich a professor!!!! You used this little mistake do call Erich an impostor…. BUT, BUT... he was - and you know that - an Adjunct Assistant professor at University of Miami, and Hofstra... you know that!!!!!!!!!! You are systematically perverting the facts in the way we see it here. Do you really think that makes you look better… You don’t try to help the sharks - you never did… You stole other people’s ideas and run with them... Oh GOD please give Brunnschweiler a peace of self confidence, instead of that you gave him selfishness…. just a little one!!!
Oh yes and than there is the money which comes from the wackos, You two should be careful when hinting at money Erich was given and then put a spin on it... that can backfire... even more so since you and I know how you - Brunnschweiler - got some of the money... remember???? As you know Erich withdrew from the university since he always wanted to build his own research group and his own facility to independently study behavior - he wanted you to be his right hand but you miserably failed - and wasn’t it Erich who helped you financially... didn’t he have you at his house to stay etc. etc. etc.?!?!? Building an institute from scratch and successfully run it independently is hardly tried beside visionaries and thinkers - something the two of you would not understand anyway... Let’s continue... You are criticising the low content and the unscientific methods used in Erich’s papers!!!! Oh Man! Really don´t criticise things where you have performed and shown much worse…. In one of your few papers all you had were a few video frames and you published that - quite a method, quite an accomplishment... one video frame, ONE lucky shoot!!!! Imagine your reaction if Erich would arrogate that, you would bad mouth him, defend yourself to the max…. Oh yes you would…. on the same note: you guys hand-feeding the bull sharks in Fiji and claim that to be a scientific method???? Is that what I see…. Ask yourself what you guys are doing over there before you bash other people and their methods! You know what I would really enjoy? See how the two of you would stand up against Erich in a real scientific discussion. But you would not accept such an invitation because you always prefer(ed) to hide behind a keyboard... but since Erich is coming to Fiji soon, I guess you can still reconsider... but the two of you have no guts, you stay anonymous... By the way I have to clear another thing: Walkers wasn’t closed down because of Erich’s accident like you try to demonstrate it (why would it anyway?), Walker’s was closed after the two hurricanes destroyed the whole Island, Erich accident didn’t destroy anything but it is sooo convenient to blame him for everything.
Oh, and Erich was one of the creator of the Haistiftung / Shark Foundation… and they financed ONE part of his project, and Erich delivered - you can still see it on their website, guess who wrote the entire species databank? - but then Erich realised that the goals of the president were others than to help sharks - and he left because he did not want to waste his time with such people, same with the sharkproject where YOU WERE ASKED TO LEAVE... remember???

Pascal said...

Oh by the way about angstzination... That word is really something only a thinker can create... one could write a book about this word alone... but then again... the two of you are too limited.

So Brunnschweiler or Neumann: should you indeed respond now, don’t rehash the same stuff, tell me something I do not know, or better something true since I neither depend on Erich, nor am I afraid that you now try to go after me. I can read between the lines, so can many others... and all the two of you do is degrading yourself...

Any yes, Erich has friends - I am one of them -... we just hardly every post to low blows since we all can read between the lines!

Pascal Gospodinov

DaShark said...

Pascal Pascal - why don't you tell us how you really feel :)

Please refer to comment #13, first statement - q.e.d.

Anonymous said...

To Pascal: I dont know Juereg or Mike but do need to say something to your comments. No two individuals can stop Erick from getting his work published. he can actually tell the editor when he submits it not to include them as reviewers. The reason it doesnt get published is because the experiments dont pass the scientific test. and dont give the old excuse "his concepts are too much for regular scientists to understand" that is the typical excuse by those who cant meet the criteria of rigerous science.You are deluding yourself if you believe the reason his work isnt published is because of two individuals. and anybody can publish a book, there is no peer-review and it means nothing.