OceanGate to the Underworld

The Titan submersible disaster of 2023 was a tragic event that drew worldwide attention. On June 18, 2023, the Titan, a small submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions, suffered a catastrophic implosion during a dive to explore the wreckage of the RMS Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean. The incident resulted in the deaths of all five people aboard, including Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, along with a renowned French diver, a British-Pakistani businessman, and his teenage son. Communication with the Titan was lost about an hour and forty-five minutes into its descent, prompting an extensive international search and rescue operation involving multiple countries, ships, aircraft, and remotely operated vehicles. Debris from the submersible was discovered near the Titanic wreck site, confirming that the Titan had succumbed to the immense pressure at those depths, leading to a fatal implosion. The tragedy brought significant scrutiny to OceanGate's practices and the design of the Titan. The submersible used unconventional materials, such as carbon fiber, which some experts had criticized as unsuitable for withstanding the extreme pressures of the deep ocean. Additionally, OceanGate had bypassed traditional certification processes, arguing that regulatory oversight could hinder innovation. Reports later revealed that engineers and industry experts had previously warned about safety concerns with the Titan's design and operations, but these warnings were reportedly dismissed. The disaster sparked broader discussions about the risks of deep-sea tourism and the need for stricter safety regulations in the industry. It served as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in exploring extreme environments like the deep ocean. The reaction that followed was not supportive or mournful. The majority of people, especially over the Internet, were happy at the deaths of billionaires. This whole 'Eat the Rich' movement has not lost steam - not at all. Class warfare and class disparities are going to be at the forefront of societal issues for the foreseeable future or until something changes.