Comments on: What do you see at sea? https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/29/what-do-you-see-at-sea/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/29/what-do-you-see-at-sea/#comment-30255 ER Sun, 30 Mar 2014 04:17:39 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=44044#comment-30255 Actually, its more like indifference than hostility. You can deal with hostility by preparing yourself for combat. Indifference requires a more subtle and sophisticated response. But yes, the ocean is like outer space, it can seem an extremely hostile environment. If the weather is warm and gentle you can last there at most a few days without technology, if you're a strong swimmer. But most of the time, in most places, it can kill you in minutes. When you think about it, naked, we evolved for a tropical savanna or rain forest. Without technology and companions it's about all we can handle. Actually, its more like indifference than hostility. You can deal with hostility by preparing yourself for combat. Indifference requires a more subtle and sophisticated response.

But yes, the ocean is like outer space, it can seem an extremely hostile environment.

If the weather is warm and gentle you can last there at most a few days without technology, if you’re a strong swimmer. But most of the time, in most places, it can kill you in minutes.

When you think about it, naked, we evolved for a tropical savanna or rain forest. Without technology and companions it’s about all we can handle.

]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/29/what-do-you-see-at-sea/#comment-30254 bowser Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:11:40 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=44044#comment-30254 I've always liked the seashore. In 1980 when I lived in Southern California I'd rent a wet suit and head into the surf when there were storms. It would toss me around, up, down, all over and I loved it. I was always a good swimmer and went for the incoming tides. I'm not nearly as strong as an outgoing tide. However, getting offshore is not a place to be without redundant safety measures. I regard the open ocean as a hostile, uncaring place which doesn't care if you live or die, and will do nothing to help you live. It's an enemy, to be feared, to be guarded against, a protector of hostile elements. I have a similar view of deserts. I could live in a forest. It's friendly, will provide what's needed for life, I could live on an island and would love the shoreline. I would love to go to sea by myself in a safe boat, and would have at least two well-provisioned inflatable life boats available as well as appropriate electronic gear. That would be fun. But just the ocean and me, well the ocean is big, powerful, endless and fatal. I’ve always liked the seashore. In 1980 when I lived in Southern California I’d rent a wet suit and head into the surf when there were storms. It would toss me around, up, down, all over and I loved it. I was always a good swimmer and went for the incoming tides. I’m not nearly as strong as an outgoing tide. However, getting offshore is not a place to be without redundant safety measures.

I regard the open ocean as a hostile, uncaring place which doesn’t care if you live or die, and will do nothing to help you live. It’s an enemy, to be feared, to be guarded against, a protector of hostile elements. I have a similar view of deserts.

I could live in a forest. It’s friendly, will provide what’s needed for life, I could live on an island and would love the shoreline.

I would love to go to sea by myself in a safe boat, and would have at least two well-provisioned inflatable life boats available as well as appropriate electronic gear. That would be fun. But just the ocean and me, well the ocean is big, powerful, endless and fatal.

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