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Paul Allen Lends Personal ROV To Study Coelacanths
crudmonkey writes "It took a custom-made submarine, billionaire Paul Allen, and a tenacious desire lasting well beyond two decades to unveil enigmatic details about the life of the coelacanth—the primitive fish that invariably hooks researchers. A study published earlier this year in the journal Marine Biology summarizes 21 years of coelacanth population research."
And why is Paul Allen so interested in the Coelacanth? Because its existance might teach us something about how an ancient, unchanging, unadapting entity can yet survive deep below the surface while all its peers have evolved or perished. This research can then be used to help Microsoft.
As anyone who knows me could tell you, I really don't care about having a lot of money.
But sometime before I die, I would like to be able to use the phrase, "my personal submersible" if only for the way it makes my mouth feel to say those words.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Well, you can still say those words ... "alas, I will never have my own personal submersible". It just might not be as satisfying.
But, for the record, I would also like to be able to use the phrase "my personal submersible" ... "hey baby, want to come down to the marina and see my personal submersible?". It's just so Austin Powers.
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Yet another example of the 1% Overlords only using their money to build 1-acre hot tubs, drink 100-year-old Scotch from disposable diamand shot glasses, and keep other people poor because that's what makes them happy.
Yeah--because the 1% sends someone out to bitch slap any recruiter that tries to give you a job?
Or are you whining because you don't have the intelligence and skills to get into a position like Paul Allen?
I'll be the first to admit that I don't have those skills. And I'm not butt-hurt about it either. The entire world can't be billion-dollar-CEOs. Who would take out the trash, sweep the floors, build the products, run their servers, or design the next iPhone?
There's no place like
I'm extremely excited and I'll tell you why (lucky you).
When I was attending grade school in the1960's I came across a book in the school library that described, with pictures, this creature found alive sometime in the '30s which had been previously thought by man to be long extinct. I don't think there was another kid who found this even remotely interesting, but I was spellbound. I never lost this fascination and over the years occasionally thought about this strange and reclusive creature, and if it had in fact survived.
Fast forward to 1998. I was working in a bicycle shop in a small out of the way resort town and the owners had managed to hire a talented bike guy from another state they met on the phone through business.
Soon after he showed up, I noticed a small tattoo he had just above one of his ankles. It was quite unusual but somehow familiar. I knelt on the floor and took a closer look. Are you kidding me?? It was a Coelacanth!! We exchanged stories about our experiences of youthful discovery and quickly bonded.
Fast forward to yesterday. I saw the Paul Allen/Coelacanth story somewhere and followed the links. Paul Allen should not get as much credit as the media apparently thinks he deserves.
Go here for the full story:
http://news.mongabay.com/2011/1114-ucsc-west_coelacanth.html
And here for history and up to date info on the Coelacanth, including video!:
http://www.arkive.org/coelacanth/latimeria-chalumnae/video-00.html#text=All
My friend in coelacanth still works at the bike shop, but I have moved on. I emailed him and know he'll be as excited as I am. I may have to get a tattoo and keep the love alive. Brotherhood of the Coelacanth, anyone?
"hey baby, want to come down to the marina and see my personal submersible?"
Ptttf! Loser.
Heeeay baaaybee. Wanna come back to my secret government facility? I'll let you drive a car on Mars.
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