James Cameron Exploring Mariana Trench

[Grayfox]

Even if he is not scientist he can take videos of what is down their to help scientists.

And I do remember hearing a story where fisherman have found an unknown species of marine life, where they out looking for them no, but they are known to have found it and helped the scientific community.

He is helping in his own way.

And lets face it, we are more concerned about life in outer space than life that we have not found in the what 50% of the ocean we have yet to explore.


Who knows what he will find, he may even find the Abyss aliens.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Great movie.

 

[arora]

Why how dare he

I can see wanting more 'profesional' work done in this area, I can't see knocking a free man from doing as he chooses. It might be better for me if he spent that money on a fancy yacht and some babes, but I digress.

 

[Omnis]

Don't really appreciate the rolled eyes. I read the article, and I'm still of the opinion that this matter would be best left in the hands of real experts, not billionaires with serious hobbies.

I find it strange, that is all.

Real experts like this guy?

It's because the article states that this is uncharted territory, completely new historical discoveries... we turn that over to a guy just because he has a billion dollar bankroll and 60+ sub dives?

Science is collaborative. You clearly don't understand the field if you're having a jealous fit that James Cameron can and does participate in study in the field (or in this case, the sea).

But "it's just so strange" to you? Get over it.

 

[F1 fan]

I have to agree with most of the people in this thread. James Cameron has the money and means of doing what these scientists do not. He also has twenty years experience in the field. I do not see the problem.

 

[daan]

The first 2 guys that went down to the bottom of Challenger Deep weren't exactly top scientists either. Neither were the guys that went to the moon.

The guys that go and get the data don't need to be the guys that'll study and translate the data that is brought back.

In saying that, Cameron is more than qualified to do it anyway.

And I still find it slightly odd that more folk have been to the moon than have been to the bottom of Challenger Deep...

 

[hairystig]

It might be worth remembering at this point that its only in the last 100 years or so that astronomy has gone from being the sole preserve of amateurs to being carried out by the more conventional scientists who are bank rolled by governments and such like, the roll of amateurs in scientific discovery is very well established, Darwin would have been considered an amateur at the start of his career as he had no formal training as a scientist (he actually trained as a priest!).
It might also be worth noting the mean of the word amateur has become slightly blurred over time and now we take it to mean sub par in some way, where as it actually comes from a French word meaning to love so an amateur is someone who persues what they do because that is what they have a passion for, in the early days amateur was a badge scientists wore with pride as it meant they weren't trying to make important discoveries merely for fame and recognition but because they had a passion for the subject.

 

[Mark T]

I have respect for what he's doing. Seeing pictures of the creatures living at those depths always amazes me, who knows what he'll find living down there.

I expect that funding for these sorts of projects is hard to come by. I know that several large treasure hunting expeditions have been funded by private individuals (but that's utlimately for financial gain). What Cameron is doing is noble (whether he makes any money from his research or not) and I'm sure that the scientific community will be more than pleased with the data he collects. He must have a large scientific team with him, probably hand picked from the best institutions.

 

[F1 fan]

The first 2 guys that went down to the bottom of Challenger Deep weren't exactly top scientists either. Neither were the guys that went to the moon.

Which reminds me of the Apollo 8 crew. They orbited the moon then came back home. None of them ever set foot on it. One of them (Jim Lovell) almost did it again, but we all know the story of Apollo 13.

 

[NicoLoeb]

Reminds me of when my physics teacher told us about the first man to come up with the idea of bouncing radio signals off man made satalites in space. He was a novelist called Arthur C Clark. I think the point that comes out of this thread is that we are all scientists. Its just that those with the vision to go somewhere new and the money to finance the venture don't always wear white coats. Science is everywhere, just look at modern food packaging. The most important point with Cameron being that he's experienced enough to know and accept the risks. Wouldn't want to be his life insurance broker though.

 

[Bye Ya]

Science is collaborative. You clearly don't understand the field if you're having a jealous fit that James Cameron can and does participate in study in the field (or in this case, the sea).

But "it's just so strange" to you? Get over it.

What is wrong with you people? In the original post I simply said it "seemed strange".


No, I'm not a scientist, I don't know how new discoveries work. I never claimed to. This is the Opinions thread is it not? I simply stated that it was my opinion that a film maker leading groundbreaking scientific discoveries "seemed strange".


I really don't appreciate the treatment here, especially coming from a moderator now.


Now read through every response I've given in this thread and show me one example of throwing a fit, or even being remotely agitated, OTHER than when people responded to me with hostility... my only agitation is toward the elitist responses here. I said I might not understand the field, yet you all still run wild with the fact that you know more than me about it.


How many times do I have to say, "Oh, ok I didn't realize that" until you all will chill out?

 

[NicoLoeb]

Oops! Didn't intend to be condescending. merely to inform.

 

[Northstar]

my only agitation is toward the elitist responses here.

Isn't your whole argument that he isn't a "scientist" so he shouldn't be doing it?

 

[Bye Ya]

I don't know what your problem with having someone with that experience heading an expedition is. It's not like he's got no science personnel on his team at all.

I was unaware of his previous background. That's the only problem. For someone not knowing that, it comes off as strange to have this guy doing it.


That is all. No tantrum, nothing else. It just seemed strange.

Next up, shocking news: Movie Star Bruce Lee writes a book about Martial Arts...

Thanks, appreciate that.

 

[F1 fan]

I was unaware of his previous background. That's the only problem. For someone not knowing that, it comes off as strange to have this guy doing it.

Yes, but even when you were informed of his experience and background, you still seemed to have a hard time accepting the fact that he was doing it.

I'll admit, I didn't know about his experience/background either, but I don't have a problem with it.

 

[Bye Ya]

You mean it seems weird they let the guy that lead the team, helped design the sub, and paid for it do the dive?


What madness.

I didn't realize he was an expert in deep sea diving. If he wasn't, then yes it would be madness.

he helped develop new methods to explore the Titanic wreck.

Didn't know that either.

if you funded a huge project to get into space via a single stage system, wouldn't you want to be part of the first crew to go into space on it?

If you knew what you were doing, then maybe yes. But if you simply put in the money, that doesn't necessarily mean you know what you are doing.

 

[Bye Ya]

Yes, but even when you were informed of his experience and background, you still seemed to have a hard time accepting the fact that he was doing it.

I'll admit, I didn't know about his experience/background either, but I don't have a problem with it.

Yes, it still seems odd to me, but I guess it's just hard to understand how a guy making movies becomes an expert in deep sea diving. Clearly the majority here are in agreement that he is, so I guess he is.


If that's the case, then I don't have a problem with it.

 

[NicoLoeb]

Feeling this thread has gone entirely in the wrong direction, I'll throw this in; perhaps we'd all be a little better informed about such things if our newsmedia felt it was as newsworthy as celebrity gossip? Personally I'd rather hear about Cameron's background than who's doing who amongst the Z listers.

 

[F1 fan]

Well I think with over 20 years experience, it's safe to call him an expert. He has invested considerable time and wealth into it too, so he's not just some hobbyist. 20 years is a long time. One can learn and do many things over that period of time.

 

[Grayfox]

If you knew what you were doing, then maybe yes. But if you simply put in the money, that doesn't necessarily mean you know what you are doing.

If you help design, build it or made it possible does kinda mean you know what you are doing.

Plus what is wrong with being passionate about something?

We don't need to have a fully racing license to go to a track day and have a race even if we do not understand how a car works.

 

[Keef]

Because James Cameron is a billionaire and has been doing this for nearly 20 years.

Billions of dollars and 20 years outqualifies the top scientists in the world?

The scientists efforts' are probably funded by James Cameron.

He's the guy who made the films The Abyss, Titanic, and Avatar, among some other notable titles. He's been on numerous deep sea dives and has made documentaries of his visits to the Bismark and Titanic. He may not have a formal scientific education but he's become somewhat of an expert through his efforts, and he happens to have the money to fund these expeditions that might never have happened otherwise. You should thank him for being so passionate and curious about this science.

 

[shmogt]

 

[niky]

I love the design of the sub. The vertical orientation makes an awful lot of sense for a craft which will spend most of its travel time going up and down.

Also interesting to note. Sub leaked.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...n-mariana-trench-fluid-leak-fish-science-sub/

At least it was just a hydraulic leak, not a break of the life-system seals.

Thanks, appreciate that.

What's even funnier is that, before inventing Jeet Kun Do, Bruce Lee was a child actor and a dancer. He only picked up martial arts long after his film career started.

 

[hellnback]

The news item on TV here said that it was Cameron himself that funded the secret development this vessel for the specific purpose of this dive.

This coupled with his previous experience with the Titanic project, I would tender that he has ultimate justification of piloting it to where he darn well chooses...

 

[Exorcet]

College and Ph.D's aren't the only ways become experts in a field. Just ask the bicycle mechanics who invented the airplane before the aerodynamicists did.

Being a billionaire is only a plus, having 20 years of experience is only a plus, and being interested in the field is only a plus. I have no problems with this guy conducting research. Even if he lacked the experience, it would still be OK. Just going down there to record something for the scientists up top to analyze would be great.

 

[shmogt]

Seriously tho even if he didn't have any experience and was just rich would it even matter? Wouldn't you prefer a billionaire spends his money on research that will help the whole worlds knowledge than them just spending their money on fancy trips and wines.

 

[Omnis]

What is wrong with you people? In the original post I simply said it "seemed strange".


No, I'm not a scientist, I don't know how new discoveries work. I never claimed to. This is the Opinions thread is it not? I simply stated that it was my opinion that a film maker leading groundbreaking scientific discoveries "seemed strange".


I really don't appreciate the treatment here, especially coming from a moderator now.

How many times are you going to say "it seems strange" ? James Cameron is the third person to go to the Challenger Deep, nevermind that he's a filmmaker. That seems to be the only claim you've been making in this thread and it's such a strong statement of the obvious that there's nothing else to say really. That's why you've gotten the responses you've read. It seemed like you presented the story not for the sake of informing the userbase, but for expressing your profound bewilderment at the fact that James Cameron gets to go in the submarine instead of Professor Snorkeltits.

 

[Bye Ya]

It seemed like you presented the story not for the sake of informing the userbase, but for expressing your profound bewilderment at the fact that James Cameron gets to go in the submarine instead of Professor Snorkeltits.

This is correct. I have explained repeatedly in this thread that it was because I didn't know Cameron had done all of these things, and I had a hard time believing they were entrusting something of this magnitude to him. Perhaps you should read a few of my replies acknowledging my lack of information on the subject.


If this is the "Providing Information Forum" then it should be titled that way, with the word "opinion" omitted. Your last post seems to criticize me for having an opinion at all on the subject, be it informed or not. I don't have a problem with being uninformed and corrected on a subject, it's how you go about doing it that's the issue. Jealous fit? I mean, come on man.

 

[Azuremen]

If this is the "Providing Information Forum" then it should be titled that way, with the word "opinion" omitted. Your last post seems to criticize me for having an opinion at all on the subject, be it informed or not. I don't have a problem with being uninformed and corrected on a subject, it's how you go about doing it that's the issue. Jealous fit? I mean, come on man.

You were extremely slow to accept that your opinion was grossly misinformed.

But there is also the fact it simply doesn't matter his qualifications if he is personally backing it anyhow.

 

[Omnis]

Get over it, Bye Ya. Do you realize how petty all of this is?