The first step in the Deep Sentinel program, one of the most ambitious ocean-engineering projects in decades, will be completed this year. This initial step, called Vanguard, will shelter three aquanaut-scientists at depths of 100 meters. Eventually, the project will create a modular underwater habitat system that will let scientists live underwater for weeks at a time.
The trouble with all these schemes is that it’s totally contrary to poweful real world trends. The surface of the Earth has an overwhelming abundance of rural land that is incredibly hospitable to life. And these places are depopulating because people prefer living in cities. How are you gonna get people to move to the bottom of the sea, or Mars, if they don’t even want to move to West Virginia?
The trouble with these commenters is that they don’t read the articles. This one isn’t at all about getting people to move underwater, it’s very specifically about habitats for ocean researchers to live in, rather than spending enormous amounts of time decompressing after relatively short dives.
West Virginia is the very opposite of barren, just poverty stricken. Nevada would be a better example.