Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Titanic In 3-D

Posted by kdawson on from the cast-off-the-bow-bert dept.

crimeandpunishment writes "A scientific expedition to the Titanic will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck. A 'dream team' of archaeologists, oceanographers, and other scientists will spend 20 days assessing the legendary ship's deteriorating condition, and collecting data and images. They're calling it the most advanced scientific mission to Titanic since its discovery 25 years ago. A leader of the expedition says this is the first time the wreck will be treated as an archaeological site, with two goals: 'One is to preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of the Titanic itself. The second part is to really understand what the state of the ship is.'"

20 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. "The second part... by The+MAZZTer · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The second part is to really understand what the state of the ship is."

    Oh I can help with that. "Sunk."

    1. Re:"The second part... by BJ_Covert_Action · · Score: 4, Insightful

      One is to preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of the Titanic itself.

      And by this part, I suppose they mean to "preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of a ridiculous show of hubris and excess built on the backs or hundreds of poor workers by a Victorian aristocracy that was as far removed from reality as is possible before a society starts to break down."

      That's not saying that folks in the present day couldn't learn a thing or two from the story of the titanic, but I doubt the right folks will be paying attention.

      --
      Motorcycles, Robots, Space Gossip and More!
    2. Re:"The second part... by God'sDuck · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hmm...putting a huge but shoddily built seagoing vessel with insufficient safeguards in a place where its sinking could kill people and traumatize a nation after being accidentally subjected to sudden pressure coming from a great and frigid depth...who could bp so foolish as to repeat this mistake in this modern age?

    3. Re:"The second part... by nyctopterus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I don't think this is a fair characterisation of what was going on in the passenger ship business at the time. These ships were profitable, and a large part of the money came from 2nd and 3rd class accommodation (which was, incidentally, better on the Titanic than most other ships of the day). It was also a relatively safe ship, the hole that sank the Titanic would sink just about any ship.

      These ships weren't 'ridiculous show[s] of hubris' any more than a fleet of 747s are. They were profitable and efficient ways of moving a lot of people around. Several companies were building ships the same size or bigger when the Titanic set off on it's maiden voyage, because it was seen as the most efficient way to run a passenger service.

      The problem was that it wasn't carrying enough life boats. This was a regulatory problem (although you could argue that this shouldn't need regulation, it was just common sense!).

      I don't think there are a lot of things to be learned from the Titanic: it was one fluke event. To learn the right lessons we need a bigger sample, more data. If we base our decisions on impressive single events, we're going to be make some silly decisions.

    4. Re:"The second part... by tehcyder · · Score: 4, Funny

      The problem was that it wasn't carrying enough life boats. This was a regulatory problem (although you could argue that this shouldn't need regulation, it was just common sense!).

      No, no, the free market corrected this by itself! Not many of the original passengers chose to go on a ship again.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    5. Re:"The second part... by KlaymenDK · · Score: 2, Informative

      If it's still there.

      I mean, who's been guarding it?

      Why, a giant horde of bioconcretious structures! (dun-dun dunnnn!)

      Oh wait, those rusticles are why Titanic (almost) isn't still there...

      --
      "Good news, everyone!"
  2. Also found by mark72005 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let us know if you find the wreckage of Windows Mobile down there!

  3. Close one by PlasmaEye · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A scientific expedition to the Titanic will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck.

    Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

    1. Re:Close one by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D.

      As did I. But frankly, is the actual project any more compelling? Its not like the Titanic is a remnant of a lost civilization.

    2. Re:Close one by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Its not like the Titanic is a remnant of a lost civilization.

      I'm not sure if you were referring to the ship or the movie. But actually it is. One is a remnant of civilization in the early 1900's and the other is a remnant of civilization in the 1990's.

      Perhaps our definitions of "lost" mean different things though, in which case I'd just agree to disagree.

    3. Re:Close one by BJ_Covert_Action · · Score: 3, Funny

      Who says they aren't? But that will come in another press announcement that will also include the information that the sequel is going to be produced by Michael Bay. Only this time, instead of an ice berg sinking the Titanic, it will be an experimental submarine with tactical nuke torpedoes! And instead of Leo Di Caprio falling in love, we will be treated to a lead role as performed by Bruce Willis! And instead of falling in love with a rich girl, he will uncover a secret plot where the captain plans to steal the ship and turn it over to the Russians to cement their naval dominance of the Black Sea. Of course, Bruce will only be able to challenge the captain, as played by Kevin Spacey, with the aid of his lithe but sassy sidekick Lucy Liu! The whole thing will be so epic that the only way Bruce and Lucy can escape is on the back of sharks with friggin' laser beams attached to their foreheads. Avatar look out! Titanic in 3-D is making a run at your box office records!

      --
      Motorcycles, Robots, Space Gossip and More!
    4. Re:Close one by Lev13than · · Score: 3, Informative

      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

      Well, you're in luck because James Cameron has a Spring 2012 target to have a 3D remastered version of the movie in theatres. Not only will you get to watch your "will he blend" propeller scene in glorious multi-dimensional detail, you'll also get to experience Kate Winslet's 30' tall boobs nestled in your lap.

      --
      When you have nothing left to burn you must set yourself on fire
    5. Re:Close one by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 2, Informative

      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

      It will probably happen. One of my ex's is a producer on an IMAX 3D movie (made for IMAX, not a re-purposed hollywood movie) and she's rubbed shoulders with Cameron and his wife. Last year she went to a pre-screening of Avatar at his private theater and Cameron also showed about 5 minutes of footage from Titanic in 3D and said re-releasing it in 3D is one of the things he would really like to do.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    6. Re:Close one by couchslug · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's a good way to get funding. The Titanic was a delicious drama, with romantic deathy fapworthyness oozing from every porthole.

      After the techies are done playing with their equipment and learning more about using it, a documentary or several can help pay for their fun.

      I approve. :)

      --
      "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
    7. Re:Close one by gmhowell · · Score: 2, Funny

      you'll also get to experience Kate Winslet's 30' tall boobs nestled in your lap.

      I'm gonna start waiting for tickets right now. Excuse me.

      --
      Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
  4. I'm a little disappointed. by eexaa · · Score: 3, Informative

    With great curiosity I click on the hilited link "three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck" (which is irresistible you know) and find a nearly-slashdotted site that actually hasn't that model yet.

    never mind.

  5. Re:Phew by jd2112 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    He could re-render the CGI in 3-D but Leo DiCaprio's performance will still be two-dimensional..

    --
    Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
  6. Already been done by chardson · · Score: 2, Informative

    My old boss already did something like this! http://robots.engin.umich.edu/Projects/VAN

  7. Re:meh by zippthorne · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Dear boring luddite:

                3D "video" is a legitimate artistic medium similar to and basically superset of 2D video, just as color video is a superset of black-and-white video, with its inherent tradeoffs. When we get past the 3D spectacles of unnecessary eye-pokery, there will be a rich medium for enhancing the experience of many kinds of films. Just as color films eventually surpassed black-and-white after it got over its own silly spectacle period (see: "The Wizard of Oz" for a seminal example...)

                Please have patience with the medium as it goes through its "me, too" phase. The people underwriting films don't understand subtlety in art, they barely understand finance, and they're certainly not subtle there, either. When filmmakers realize the public is only moderately interested in gimmicks, they'll start putting them on the back burner, and use 3D for the same thing all other filmmaking techniques are used: to enhance the story.

                And it'll be awesome. Please be more awesome. The future can be a wondrous place.

    --
    Can you be Even More Awesome?!
  8. Google Titanic by kiehlster · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I can't wait to see this on Google Street View or something like that.