About This Project

This blog, 'a new life in the sea' is the new home for my long-term priority program to take humanity deeper and longer into the abyss.

There is so much to consider when contemplating the vastness of the ocean. For example, this multi-dimensional space covers three quarters of the surface of our planet; it accounts for more than 95% of all living space; provides our species with food, water, energy, and host of other natural resources; is the major driver in global climate patterns and change; and the list continues. Further, a function of being covered by this dense liquid medium is that the vast majority of our planet is then spent in the dark - a truly alien environment. Yet, it is a fact that humans have only seen about 1% of our oceans firsthand. Further, we have invested far more into space exploration and habitation, than on our own ocean - right here on Earth. When we look at Earth from above, there is no question why it is so commonly referred to as the 'Blue Planet'. Our oceans are our greatest resource, and our species has not even begun to explore our relationship with the oceans to the fullest extent possible.

It all became incredibly clear to me on May 28th, 2002. The prior two weeks I was under contract with NOAA's Caribbean Marine Research Center to orchestrate what would be their first scientific diving program involving the use of mixed-gas (varying mixtures of oxygen, helium, and nitrogen) to venture beyond the routinely studied depths of benthic marine science and conduct investigations at depths of 300 feet (90msw). In just 8 brief minutes at depth, a time restricted by the technologies available at the time, more than a dozen new, never before described species were discovered. Later, laboratory investigations unveiled that half of these species produced chemicals of interest in fighting cancer and other human conditions. Imagine the potential of 'the 9th minute'. I was taken...

And so this train of thought has lead to numerous ventures...some successful, some not. Underlying all though have been a consistent drive and belief that this is work that matters. That single '9th minute' is representative of so much. The potential is limitless, and I sincerely believe that just one catalytic effort to find this 9th minute will stand to improve our life on Earth for generations to come.

To consider that we have the ability to probe to new depths for such a short period of time with such promise, yet we have not embedded our culture and society within this environment with any permanent occupancy is baffling. However, it is quite likely our destiny - a function of necessity, curiosity, adaptation, and evolution at work.

This project - and blog - is dedicated to contributing our small part to advance human intervention of the ocean. There are indeed stones left unturned, frontiers untouched, and discoveries at our fingertips - all justification to take incremental steps towards a cultural (r)evolution to 'a new life in the sea'.

Through creative writing in the form of shorts, op-eds, and random bramblings, this project will discuss and share many progressive thoughts and ideas related to this new life in the sea. From the technology required to get there, to the psychology of the pursuit, to parallels in past civilizations, to past and present lessons learned, and to futurist perspectives on what will come for generations...

I invite you to dive in, lurk around, and imagine a very new watery world to live in...