A group of billionaires had a fatal lesson in hubris when their sub imploded during an expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic. In a tragic twist, the very technology that the rich got to experience at first hand cost them their lives as the sub's cheap steering mechanism failed. It begs the question: if only the less fortunate were allowed to experience the thrill of the deep dives, could the tragedy have been avoided?
This expedition was initially touted as a bold attempt to push the boundaries of underwater exploration. But critics have seen right through this flimsy guise, pointing out that it was merely a show of wealth and status. The billionaires' vanity was indeed their downfall.
It appears that the sub's steering mechanism was a cheap Logitech Bluetooth controller with firmware modifications. One has to wonder: why did the billionaires skimp on a crucial component for the sub? Their lavish lifestyles would suggest that they could afford top-of-the-line, customized tech that would be less likely to combust meters beneath the ocean surface. Was it their way of being frugal, or perhaps a way to rebel against societal norms? One can only guess at their motives.
Despite the tragedy, the sub is now a new attraction for underwater tourists. As a spokesperson for the tour company tells us, "We realize that this was a tragic event, but we would also hate for all the technology that was put into the sub to go to waste. So, we've decided to turn lemons into lemonade and allow tourists to visit the sub along with the Titanic wreckage. People can now say that they visited both a sunk sub and the most iconic shipwreck in history, all in one trip!"
It's a grim reminder of the first Titanic disaster and how it was also a product of excess - an extravagance that sharply contrasts with the less fortunate passengers who were never even afforded a chance to board a luxury liner. Just as with the Titanic, the ultimate cost of the wealthy's pursuit of ever more lavish experiences could result in dire consequences.
It remains to be seen if this tragedy will affect billionaires' desire to conquer new frontiers. But for the rest of us, this is a cautionary tale that not everything can be bought with money - and sometimes, it's better to let those with nothing to lose lead the way.
