If you ever wanted to live permanently in an ocean-based city, the Seasteading Institute could help you, if they get their way. The organization was founded by Google's Patri Friedman and former Sun Microsystems programmer, Wayne Gramlich. The ambitious project to set up deep water city states - communities "with diverse social, political, and legal systems" - have secured $500,000 in initial funding from Pay Pay's founder, Peter Thiel.
The Steadfast Institute have even written a book called "Seasteading : A Practical Guide to Homesteading on the High Seas." The prototype which they plan to build for a few million dollars will hopefully be launched in San Francisco Bay in about two years. The structure (as illustrated by Vlademar Duran) is a modified oil rig which is called a "spar platform" and designed to withstand powerful waves . As it is tall rather than wide, there is very little cross-sectional interaction with waves. People will live inside the tube but the platform is envisioned to house gardens, solar panels, wind turbines and so on. The idea could catch on as a hotel on the waves or for other business model applications.
Ocean Colonies
Seasteading
Trend Themes
1. Ocean Colonies - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovate sustainable and self-sufficient ocean-based living solutions for individuals and communities.
2. Seasteading - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new possibilities for creating diverse social, political, and legal systems in deep water city states.
3. Spar Platforms - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop efficient and resilient structures for ocean-based living with minimal cross-sectional interaction with waves.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Pioneering the development of ocean-based real estate properties and communities.
2. Renewable Energy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expanding renewable energy solutions like solar panels and wind turbines to be integrated into ocean-based living environments.
3. Hospitality - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating unique and sustainable hotel experiences on the ocean through seasteading concepts.