Baby Shark

2024 - 11 - 28

Baby Shark: The Perplexing Anthem of a Montreal Mall's Dilemma!

Baby Shark - childrens' songs - Complexe Desjardins - Lionel Carmant - Montreal - music as social control - public safety - social services - unhoused individuals

A Montreal mall's decision to play 'Baby Shark' on repeat as a strategy to deter homeless individuals has sparked outrage! Dive into this bizarre situation and its implications!

In a move that has left many scratching their heads and cringing at the thought of the catchy tune, the Complexe Desjardins shopping mall in Montreal has resorted to playing the notoriously repetitive children’s hit ‘Baby Shark’ on a continuous loop. This unusual strategy aims to deter unhoused individuals from lingering around the shopping center's fire escapes and stairwells. While the mall management believes this is an effective method to clear the space, the initiative has drawn criticism from city officials, mental health advocates, and members of the public alike, who argue that it’s both inhumane and counterproductive.

Minister Lionel Carmant, responsible for Social Services, has been a vocal opponent of the mall's strategy, labeling it as "not humane". Critics point out that subjecting individuals to a relentless barrage of a song designed for toddlers does little to address the complex issues surrounding homelessness and instead highlights a disturbing lack of compassion. One can't help but wonder: if the song 'Baby Shark' might deter unhoused individuals, is it really the best approach? The absurdity of using a children’s song as a deterrent has turned the mall into an unlikely focal point for debates on urban ethics and social responsibility.

Not deterred by the backlash, the mall continues to blare the infectious track at varying speeds in hopes of maintaining their objective. This has provoked discussions beyond the immediate issue at hand, raising questions about the broader societal obligations we owe to our homeless population. Is sending them away with an earworm really a solution or just an unfortunate avoidance of the bigger problem? The uproar has also spilled over onto social media platforms, with hilarious memes juxtaposing 'Baby Shark' against more effective methods of community support.

As this story unfolds, it serves as much more than just a silly tale about a catchy melody; it's a reflection of our society’s struggle with homelessness. One fun fact: 'Baby Shark' reached an impressive milestone when it surpassed 10 billion views on YouTube, making it the most viewed video on the platform, a fact that ironically raises questions about our consumption of media designed for children in serious contexts. Interestingly, similar tactics of using sound to deter loitering have appeared in various forms across the globe, but none have garnered quite as much attention as this catchy controversy. How effective or ethical is the use of a simple song to address complex societal issues? It seems that 'Baby Shark' may be making waves far beyond just the waters of child-friendly entertainment!

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Image courtesy of "Globalnews.ca"

Montreal mall playing 'Baby Shark' theme to keep unhoused people ... (Globalnews.ca)

The non-stop drone of "doo, doo, doo doo" from the song Baby Shark in the fire escapes has been an success at keeping people from loitering out, the mall ...

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Image courtesy of "La Presse"

Baby Shark | La chanson de la torture (La Presse)

Prendriez-vous une chronique sur Baby Shark ? », ai-je demandé aux membres de mon équipe, au journal, jeudi matin. « Oui !!! », m'a répondu ma cheffe, ...

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Image courtesy of "CTV Montreal"

Montreal shopping mall playing 'Baby Shark' song to prevent ... (CTV Montreal)

A shopping mall and office complex in downtown Montreal is being criticized for using the popular children's song 'Baby Shark' to discourage unhoused people ...

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Image courtesy of "Le Devoir"

«C'est pas humain», dit le ministre Carmant au sujet de l'utilisation ... (Le Devoir)

Le ministre responsable des Services sociaux, Lionel Carmant, dénonce l'utilisation de la chanson «Baby Shark» par le Complexe Desjardins de Montréal pour ...

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Image courtesy of "ICI.Radio-Canada.ca"

La chanson Baby Shark pour chasser les itinérants | Info | Radio ... (ICI.Radio-Canada.ca)

Le Complexe Desjardins diffuse en boucle une ritournelle déplaisante pour décourager les itinérants de trouver refuge dans ses cages d'escalier.

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Image courtesy of "Le Journal de Montréal"

La chanson «Baby Shark» à plein volume pour faire fuir les sans ... (Le Journal de Montréal)

De la musique populaire pour enfants est diffusée à plein volume dans les escaliers de secours du Complexe Desjardins à Montréal.

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Image courtesy of "CityNews Montreal"

"Baby Shark": "It's not humane," says Minister Lionel Carmant (CityNews Montreal)

The Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, denounces the use of the song “Baby Shark” by the Complexe Desjardins in Montreal to scare away ...

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Image courtesy of "LesAffaires.com"

Le Complexe Desjardins diffuse «Baby Shark» pour éloigner les ... (LesAffaires.com)

La chanson pour enfants jouait en boucle et à différentes vitesses, jeudi matin, sur des haut-parleurs présents dans les escaliers du centre commercial.

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Image courtesy of "VICE"

Canadian Mall Has Been Blaring 'Baby Shark' for a Year to Keep ... (VICE)

A Montreal shopping center is using the dreaded earworm Baby Shark to deter homeless people—an act that's causing outrage.

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Image courtesy of "Montreal Gazette"

Baby Shark song used to discourage unhoused from lingering in a ... (Montreal Gazette)

Complexe Desjardins has been playing the song Baby Shark in its stairwells to deter unhoused individuals — a tactic critics describe as both misguided and ...

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