Underwater Colonies

[Prince Baldr]

There's always talk of space exploration. Moon bases, journey to Mars, space stations exc. But what about the sea? I mean if population is really such a future problem that we seek to build vast cities in an instantly deadly environment (vacuum vs drowning) with short term return issues (weightlessness vs high pressure), then underwater seems to be the cheaper/easier/faster solution to me.

This is not a declaration of the superiority of underwater colonies vs space exploration. Nor is this an ignorant rant about tech I know is long off, that I feel is short term. Its a question, why does space get all the dreams? Why do we not have the same cultural feelings toward this idea?

So what do you think of colonizing the seabed? Do you feel space is the better way to go, if so why?

To be clear on my personal belief, that I do not wish to shove at others, is that the sea is more practical. It is easier to reach, most of the world's population lives near it. The presence of gravity is a plus as I get sick on kiddy swings and do not wish to float long term. And I think its easy access would allow more of the scientific community access. The only downside I see vs space is if we mess up, the damage doesn't float off into space, the damage is here.

[McHallosth-r_Di-gnHeimers]

Actually, I don't think building a underwater colony is much more than building a bunch of submarines. Submarines have already been made to withstand the pressures of the deepest parts of the ocean (info from Wikipedia, and that submersion was temporary... don't quote me). The submarines would have to have extra docking ports though. So the tech isn't too far off, it just costs a ton of money.

As for why space exploration "get[s] all the dreams" in popular culture, I'm pretty sure that's just because of the space race and the moon landing. There's also the possibility of finding life on other planets.

Now: comparing neighborhoods. Under water, you have: intense pressure, oil, hydrothermal vents, life, and some water blocking all light including radio. In space, you have: solar energy, tritium, a clear view of the universe, and earth. I think the lack of light and communication problems are deal breakers for underwater colonies.

edit: then again, there is a problem with slow communication in space because of distance. (I don't know why I didn't remember that. I must need sleep.)

[0Katiepie0]

You might find the following blog interesting:

http://hampture.blogspot.com/

[Prince Baldr]

McHallosth-r_Di-gnHeimers

Actually, I don't think building a underwater colony is much more than building a bunch of submarines. Submarines have already been made to withstand the pressures of the deepest parts of the ocean (info from Wikipedia, and that submersion was temporary... don't quote me). The submarines would have to have extra docking ports though. So the tech isn't too far off, it just costs a ton of money.

As for why space exploration "get[s] all the dreams" in popular culture, I'm pretty sure that's just because of the space race and the moon landing. There's also the possibility of finding life on other planets.

Now: comparing neighborhoods. Under water, you have: intense pressure, oil, hydrothermal vents, life, and some water blocking all light including radio. In space, you have: solar energy, tritium, a clear view of the universe, and earth. I think the lack of light and communication problems are deal breakers for underwater colonies.

edit: then again, there is a problem with slow communication in space because of distance. (I don't know why I didn't remember that. I must need sleep.)

Communication never crossed my mind, but you're right. Maybe use a hard wire cable, like they used to connect North America and Europe.

Sorry about the poor writing in the op, I was beat.

[Prince Baldr]

0Katiepie0

You might find the following blog interesting:

http://hampture.blogspot.com/

You're right, I did find that very interesting.

[Suicidesoldier#1]

It's a little nicer to find a new planet that is already at a good atmosphere and simulates life on earth than it is to build some alien new environment to support billions.

Plus I mean aliens; but the deep ocean still has got alien like thins but I mean, we are related to them, so it's kind of even cooler in a sense.


That being said, not much talk is said about it probably becuase it's so obvious.

At some point I imagine islands and underwater places to live will be fairly common, where as space exploration is less sure given the range and distance from planets and the hit and miss sustainable planet things.

[Dorinkingu]

0Katiepie0

You might find the following blog interesting:

http://hampture.blogspot.com/

:O

4laugh

[Ryu Kei Shou Kawazu]

Suicidesoldier#1

It's a little nicer to find a new planet that is already at a good atmosphere and simulates life on earth than it is to build some alien new environment to support billions.

You seem to forget how long itd take to get there, not to mention all the planets are rotating and solar systems and galaxies moving how difficult itd be to set course.

[Suicidesoldier#1]

Ryu Kei Shou Kawazu

Suicidesoldier#1

It's a little nicer to find a new planet that is already at a good atmosphere and simulates life on earth than it is to build some alien new environment to support billions.

You seem to forget how long itd take to get there, not to mention all the planets are rotating and solar systems and galaxies moving how difficult itd be to set course.

No, I'm just saying that, that's the allure. xp

[Sevi Rais]

You might find this video interesting:

Floating cities proposed as havens of future happiness.

[Mahrahia]

Wouldn't we deplete the oxygen levels in the ocean, thus making the water around us more acidic?

[Suicidesoldier#1]

Mahrahia

Wouldn't we deplete the oxygen levels in the ocean, thus making the water around us more acidic?

Well, possibly, if the hydrogen bonded to like say, water, but I don't think you can just make an Acid out of just raw water...

But!


We could contain the hydrogen anyways possibly, for fires and stuff.

Although we're best off not doing that.


Actually we're best off making a giant tube to the surface so we don't have to worry about that.

It would need to be protected some how though; would be interesting to drop stuff down and measure times and stuff, as well, if it didn't become too big of a hassle.


Would need guards around it and it would need to be at least like, 100 feet above sea level.

And oxygen development devices would still need to exist; but it would be nice for most of the time.

[Suicidesoldier#1]

0Katiepie0

You might find the following blog interesting:

http://hampture.blogspot.com/

That looks just... just horrible. ._.

For the hamsters that is. Other than that interesting.


But what is the point of this experiment?

It won't really solve the production of energy, depth issues, or air even given the size of the device let alone supporting a city of potentially thousands so is it just for fun or something. .___.

[0Katiepie0]

Suicidesoldier#1

0Katiepie0

You might find the following blog interesting:

http://hampture.blogspot.com/

That looks just... just horrible. ._.

For the hamsters that is. Other than that interesting.


But what is the point of this experiment?

It won't really solve the production of energy, depth issues, or air even given the size of the device let alone supporting a city of potentially thousands so is it just for fun or something. .___.

Well, according to the author, as a result of that blog:
"I've been recruited as part of the crew of the Atlantica Expeditions, a nonprofit organization founded by a NASA bioengineer which intends to establish the first permanent undersea colony."

[Mahrahia]

Suicidesoldier#1

Mahrahia

Wouldn't we deplete the oxygen levels in the ocean, thus making the water around us more acidic?

Well, possibly, if the hydrogen bonded to like say, water, but I don't think you can just make an Acid out of just raw water...

But!

We could contain the hydrogen anyways possibly, for fires and stuff.

Although we're best off not doing that.

Actually we're best off making a giant tube to the surface so we don't have to worry about that.

It would need to be protected some how though; would be interesting to drop stuff down and measure times and stuff, as well, if it didn't become too big of a hassle.

Would need guards around it and it would need to be at least like, 100 feet above sea level.

And oxygen development devices would still need to exist; but it would be nice for most of the time.

I'm just saying since I studied the effects of low-oxygenated levels of water in the ocean for a final in biology. With less oxygen in the water, it is easier for CO2 levels to react with the ocean water, creating Carbonic acid. Carbonic acid isn't as corrosive as sulfuric acid, but it will still denature everything that animals are used to in their current environment.