Colonise The Ocean!

[Tycoon101]

I had a stroke of genious about two minutes ago: why don't we just postpone all the space programs, and take from these budgets for ill-planned and poorly made space trips, and siphon the money into undersea colonization? I have three points to make:

1. Expand downwards, not upwards. Terraforming the planets will be very tough, thus shouldn't we try to find a way to live under the sea? Not only will the trips be much shorter, but a safe haven will only be hours away, NOT days away. Also the getting of food will be easier due to the shorter travel times.

2. Cheaper. You know that space travel is hard, but why don't we make airtight vessels for underwater use? Conditions are nicer underwater than in space, and we won't have make multi-million dollar shipd that could end in disater!

3. Isn't it better to know your own planet, than to try to know other planets?


Please discuss this idea, and try not to spam.

Edit: I realized that I misspelled colonize in the title Could a moderator please fix colonise to colonize?

 

[Joeb WK]

I've been saying this for years but nobody's listened. I have this really good book about it as well called "Turn To The Sea" by Athelstan Spilhaus its a really kiddy but well worth reading if you can find it.

 

[Tycoon101]

I've been saying this for years but nobody's listened. I have this really good book about it as well called "Turn To The Sea" by Athelstan Spilhaus its a really kiddy but well worth reading if you can find it.

Thanks for the title. I should look in my library for it then.

How do you think that we could get all the countries to colaborrate on this project instead of having a space race?

 

[Narz]

How about people just use condoms?

I suppose it's not a bad idea though, but who gets to decide who has to go underwater and who stays above.

Hmm, this is making me think of the Time Machine book, actually the movie (the awesome one from 1960 not the remake).

 

[IglooDame]

Because the ocean, while immense, is a teaspoonfull of water compared to the vastness of the solar system. And if the Earth is well and truly screwed, the oceans are, too.

 

[ArneHD]

The problem? Pressure. The insane pressure at the ocean depths can crush most submarines, and those that can withstand the pressure need so much armour that they can't support a large population inside.

Also, colonizing the ocean floor can, and will if we follow the pattern of above ground colonization, ruin the ecosystem, and the ocean ecosystem is much more fragile than the ecosystem above the water.

 

[Tycoon101]

I suppose it's not a bad idea though, but who gets to decide who has to go underwater and who stays above.

Mmm... The people themselves? If they wish to go down and live there once it is cheap enough then they shouldn't be prohibited. But muntil it becomes cheap, only the rich shall go down.

 

[IglooDame]

Mmm... The people themselves? If they wish to go down and live there once it is cheap enough then they shouldn't be prohibited. But muntil it becomes cheap, only the rich shall go down.

Or the people that have merpeople fetishes...

 

[Narz]

Mmm... The people themselves? If they wish to go down and live there once it is cheap enough then they shouldn't be prohibited. But muntil it becomes cheap, only the rich shall go down.

Why would the rich want to go down, they're the ones who already own all the good land above?

 

[Tycoon101]

Because the ocean, while immense, is a teaspoonfull of water compared to the vastness of the solar system. And if the Earth is well and truly screwed, the oceans are, too.

I doubt that the earth is on its last legs. I believe that we are on the verge of changing some of our ways, at least enough to help the ocean be safe.

The problem? Pressure. The insane pressure at the ocean depths can crush most submarines, and those that can withstand the pressure need so much armour that they can't support a large population inside.

Also, colonizing the ocean floor can, and will if we follow the pattern of above ground colonization, ruin the ecosystem, and the ocean ecosystem is much more fragile than the ecosystem above the water.

In regard to pressure, I never said that we would colonize the ocean floor, I meant the waters around 100 feet of the surface. An aquarium for humans so to speak.

 

[Tycoon101]

Why would the rich want to go down, they're the ones who already own all the good land above?

I meant along the lines of having the money to do so. It may be cheaper for the regular populace to live underwater, but not much. If they have the money, then I dont see why we should prohibit them from going down. But if the people are poor, and cannot sustain a steady rent to live underwater then we shouldn't allow them down.

 

[IglooDame]

I doubt that the earth is on its last legs. I believe that we are on the verge of changing some of our ways, at least enough to help the ocean be safe.

No, but that twenty-mile-diameter meteor heading for us may have different ideas.

In regard to pressure, I never said that we would colonize the ocean floor, I meant the waters around 100 feet of the surface. An aquarium for humans so to speak.

Some would say we've already started this process in New Orleans...

 

[Urederra]

You can fix the title by yourself. You don't need a mod.

@Narz: Condoms are not strong enough to cope with oceans' pressure

And, why not colonize the deserts? wouldn't it be cheaper and less technology challenging?

What would you do in the ocean for a living?

 

[Tycoon101]

You can fix the title by yourself. You don't need a mod.

@Narz: Condoms are not strong enough to cope with oceans' pressure

And, why not colonize the deserts? wouldn't it be cheaper and less technology challenging?

What would you do in the ocean for a living?

1. No, I can't change the titile of the thread. A moderator must change it.

2. That is a good idea about the deserts, but I wish to live AWAY from land. The deserts are secluded to certain countries and CAN and ARE being lived in. The ocean is NOT being lived in by humans in a large number.

3. And one could fish, or do research while underwater.

 

[Masquerouge]

I don't see what kind of problems will be solved by living under the sea.
Sure, it would be cool, but if we do cool things, I'd rather explore space.

 

[BCLG100]

In regard to pressure, I never said that we would colonize the ocean floor, I meant the waters around 100 feet of the surface. An aquarium for humans so to speak.

if i remember rightly the biggest change in pressure happens closer to the surface.

 

[Truronian]

Ocean reclaimation seems to be the best option to me. Or maybe floating cities (such as Atlanta ).

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Orbital cities make alot more sense than underwater cities. Earth orbit is the shore of a much larger ocean. Besides, there are too many icky things like jellyfish and octoyouknowwhatsis in the sea

 

[Serutan]

13. And one could fish, or do research while underwater.

That doesn't solve anything. The oceans are being overfished as it is, with no one living underwater.
Adding a new population there just makes things worse.

And as far as depth goes, the 30 meter level mentioned
earlier would be about the worst area to use in terms
of environmental impact. You'd need to go to much deeper
(and deal with much higher pressure) to build relatively
low-impact colonies.

 

[Perfection]

Here's a crazy idea: Let's do both!