Rest in Peace...

While we acknowledge the lives lost in the Oceangate submersible disaster, let us not forget some more complex truths to learn.

There has been a growing fascination with exploration in extreme environments in recent years, coupled with the emergence of thrill-seeking adventurism among wealthy patrons. While these two endeavors may seem similar, they differ significantly in their motives, goals, and impact on society.

Exploration in extreme environments involves venturing into harsh and inhospitable regions, such as deep-sea trenches, polar regions, deserts, or space, undertaking these challenging journeys to gather data, study ecosystems, uncover new species, and conduct experiments to unravel the mysteries of our planet and beyond.

On the other hand, thrill-seeking adventurism among wealthy patrons stems from a desire for excitement, novelty, and the thrill of pushing personal limits. These individuals often have abundant resources and seek unique, adrenaline-pumping experiences that provide a temporary escape from their mundane routines. Activities such as extreme sports, luxury expeditions, or purchasing exclusive adventures cater to their hunger for thrill and the need to differentiate themselves from others in their social circles.

While these adventures may appear glamorous and exciting, they often lack the depth of purpose and scientific pursuit found in the exploration of extreme environments. Rather than advancing scientific knowledge, the primary focus is on personal enjoyment and individual fulfillment. Thrill-seeking adventurism tends to be more self-indulgent, driven by a desire for immediate gratification and the pursuit of novel experiences.

The uniqueness of the Titan submersible lies not in its mission but the in an entrepreneur’s belief that he and his company could apply Silicon Valley development principles to deep sea exploration. The combination of cost-saving off-the-shelf components and a rapid iteration cycle often conveys a first-mover advantage, additional media attention, and funding. Unfortunately, the rest of the equation, fail often, fail fast, does not apply in extreme environments where shortcuts and the substitution of computer simulations for comprehensive testing and validation often have catastrophic fatal outcomes. Allowing risk-taking adventurers along for the ride to help fund and publicize a venture seems somewhat excessive to me.

Bottom line…

I was heartened to see the coordinated multi-nation rescue effort.

Considering the substantial cost of a rescue/recovery effort, it seems prudent to have guidelines and third-party inspections before allowing members of the public to participate in experiments, and they are experiments in extreme environments. While responsible exploration and ecotourism can have positive impacts encouraging the development of infrastructure and jobs, I believe there are ethical questions related to safety, exploitation, and adventure activities to ensure that these efforts do not unduly compromise the safety and well-being of non-mission individuals.

Like those who risk their lives in other extreme sports, the burden of due diligence lies with the individual.

-- Steve