Sociology : Colonizing the Oceans, Between Dream and Reality

The relationship between humans and the sea is not a new concept and has found its place in various cultural works throughout history. It's a tale that weaves a tapestry of dreams and harsh realities, drawing inspiration from both literature and film.

Have you ever heard of the movie "Waterworld," directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Kevin Costner in 1995?

In the distant future, in the year 2500, Earth is an ocean. All continents have been submerged. Mariner, the hero, navigates a hyper-fast trimaran to fend off pirates known as "smokers" and a thief. He eventually reaches an atoll where he sells a handful of soil, a rare commodity. Mariner, his family, and the survivors have adapted to this aquatic world and are desperately searching for a new refuge, the "dry land."

While it may be a stretch to compare Kevin and Kevin to visionaries like Jules Verne (author of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"), their portrayal of a world submerged by the seas remains captivating.

When we think of humanity's struggle against Mother Nature, I immediately think of Ernest Hemingway's book "The Old Man and the Sea" (1952). This book vividly illustrates the theme of humans humbly facing the forces of nature. Despite nature's overwhelming power, the old man gains dignity and respect as a symbol of the human condition.

In the realm of underwater exploration, it's impossible not to mention the iconic film "Titanic" (1997), depicting the brutal encounter between human society's desire to conquer the maritime realms and the harsh reality of a potentially hostile marine environment.

Sadly, this film resonates with the recent incident involving the TITAN (a submarine prototype created by OceanGate in 2023), which was lost in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean during a tragic attempt to visit the Titanic wreck.

Lastly, the concept of underwater cities also conjures images of myths like Atlantis, a continent-sized underwater city attributed to the sea god Poseidon during the division of the world. Atlantis is said to have vanished abruptly during a cataclysmic event, leaving behind a legacy of mystery and fascination.

As we explore the boundaries of our aquatic world, from the depths of the oceans to the dreams of underwater civilizations, we continue to be both humbled and inspired by the vast and unpredictable forces of the sea.