‘Baby Shark’ Was Actually Used for Torture
No, it's not just you. While catchy and engaging for kids, "Baby Shark" is torture for parents. I thought I had escaped 2019 without an "infection", but my daughter saw another kid with a singing baby shark plush and had to have one. Which led to her needing the floating and singing bath toy. So here, I am. I was only two months away from getting out unscathed. I'm telling you, it's the most contagious thing out there that's not a disease.
The science behind what makes it so popular among kids makes sense to me. It's repetitive, which kids like. They like being able to predict and memorize. It's also really upbeat, which triggers dopamine releases. But it triggers something else in my brain & other adults' brains.
That's why it should come to no-one's surprise that "Baby Shark" was used as a method of torture. City officials in West Palm Beach played "Baby Shark" and the equally annoying "Raining Tacos" all night to prevent homeless people from being able to sleep on the patio of the city's Lake Pavillion. The director for the city's Housing and Development called the tactic "effective" and "temporary", saying the music could only be heard by people on the patio. Of course, this sparked controversy and conversation. At least we can all agree on one thing: "Baby Shark" is by definition, torture.