Social Question

jfos's avatar

How would society be ... under water?

Asked by jfos (7392points) February 26th, 2010

Imagine that some time in the near future, i.e. 10 to 20 years from now, humans populated all livable land. The next option for real estate may be in the ocean.

Imagine, if you will, that we discovered an efficient and safe way to construct inhabitable environments under or on the ocean. How do you think society would function in such an arrangement?

What would be different/similar? Would you prefer this lifestyle?

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39 Answers

Sophief's avatar

Well, I’d soon drown, I can’t swim.

erichw1504's avatar

It would be a little fishy.

Dr_Dredd's avatar

Wet. :-)

OK, now for a serious answer. I think it’s an interesting idea, but I’m not sure how viable it would be. For one thing, how would people travel from city to city, and from land cities to water cities? You’d have to design a cheap travel method, which would be difficult.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@Dibley At least the sharks would have something to eat.

erichw1504's avatar

I don’t think we would be able to handle the pressure of being so far under water.

Fyrius's avatar

@Dr_Dredd
If we can build whole underwater cities, then surely some underwater train ducts from city to city can’t be much of a problem. Or for that matter, water-proof trains. Or affordable commercial submarines. Or we could dig tunnels through the ocean floor.

It’s going to be a costly enterprise anyway.

Jude's avatar

I’d be neighbors with Squidward.

Trillian's avatar

If only the logistics weren’t such a problem. This house is an awesome idea. Or at least, I thought so when I was a kid and saw the movie.

erichw1504's avatar

@jjmah I’d get a job at the Krusty Krab.

CMaz's avatar

The high humidity and possible mixed gas environment would eventually cause health issues.
Besides the incredible cost to keep a life supporting structure under water.

Just like the ISS more a waste of time (and money) then any advantage.

But since you said, “an efficient and safe way to construct inhabitable environments under or on the ocean.”

I will digress. It would be friggin cool! And, so easy to get a tasty meal. :-)

jfos's avatar

Do you think any group of marine animals would try to retaliate? I think I’ve heard that squids are somewhat intelligent and organized.

Sarcasm's avatar

@jfos There are plenty of intelligent creatures above water too. But we seem to have thrived here. Though, if a bird breaks your window, you have to buy a new window. If a squid breaks your window, water will rush in and fill up the building.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

The shallow coastal waters would work fairly well. The logistics would be easy in shallow water. The technology for watertight seals already exists.

Sophief's avatar

@Adirondackwannabe Suppose, best keep the sharks happy!

BoBo1946's avatar

everything is so screwed up here…might be better down there! this cute video protrays that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13e5_lOLPIc

jfos's avatar

@Adirondackwannabe Do you mean seal[s] as in anything that tightly or completely closes or secures a thing; any of numerous marine carnivores of the suborder Pinnipedia, including the eared or fur seals, as the sea lion, and the earlessor hair seals, as the harbor seal; or the guy who sang that song “Kiss From A Rose” in the 90s?

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@Dibley You’d be an appetizer rather than the main course. The underwater concept is interesting. I always liked aquariums. Even if I can’t spell it.

frigate1985's avatar

I hope the Atlantians like us…

Jude's avatar

I love this game.

Strauss's avatar

Just give me a pineapple under the sea!

ucme's avatar

Bubblicious.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@jfos I think they’re all watertight except the last one.

Cruiser's avatar

The view would be awesome and solve a major issue I have with door to door sales people…but not being able to open a window would not be for me! I love a fresh summer breeze flowing through my home.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

This starting to sound better. No salesmen, no Jehovahs Witnesses, (that’ll catch me some flak). Second thought. What about the girl scouts selling cookies?

CMaz's avatar

They would ALL eventually find you.

Cruiser's avatar

@Adirondackwannabe They will always find away to your door even underwater!

neverawake's avatar

i’m not sure, everybody will probably all be dead.

Bluefreedom's avatar

It would be moist. That might be nice when you’re with your partner but probably not all the rest of the time.~

CMaz's avatar

Don’t need to swim with the Dolphins to get a partner moist. ;-)

Merriment's avatar

It wouldn’t be all that big a change.

Maybe a few more turds would float to the top but other than that…..

JONESGH's avatar

We’d be exactly like the Gungans

YARNLADY's avatar

I believe that artificial islands are much more likely in the near future than completely underwater. However, there is the SeaCamel at livingoceansfoundation.org

Fyrius's avatar

@YARNLADY
The Dutch have been living on artificial islands for years already. :)
And those guys in Dubai have been working on a few too.

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