I've been thinking about this for quite awhile and it's interesting to see technology coming together to make it feasible.
The idea is that people will start living on barge-like boats and slowly motor or sail around the ocean and to stay in the best weather.
Of course, you'd need a number of technologies to make this feasible, and all of them either exist or soon will. Obviously you want solar power, and some method of storing the energy for night.
You'd need a desalinization device, GPS, and some sort of satellite Internet service. And you'd probably need some serious waste treatment gear.
The reason I think the future will be barges instead of standard boats is that you can start small and add real estate as you can afford it. Just connect a new barge and presto. And you can dock to other barges to create temporary or permanent communities.
If the barges are designed to be connected, according to some common standard, the entire city can move around to the best weather and fishing spots as and when needed.
The reason I think this will be a compelling lifestyle is that you won't have to pay much in taxes if you live and work in international waters. And there will be no government to squelch your freedoms, unless you choose to form one.
Big countries will have no compelling reason to conquer your barge, or even your barge city, because it will have no strategic value.
With scale, you get floating hospitals and schools and all the other services you need. The big problem of course would be pirates. But there is a theoretical amount of firepower that makes that risk manageable too.
You could have your own surveillance drones that warn you well in advance of any company.
I seriously think it will happen.
The idea is that people will start living on barge-like boats and slowly motor or sail around the ocean and to stay in the best weather.
Of course, you'd need a number of technologies to make this feasible, and all of them either exist or soon will. Obviously you want solar power, and some method of storing the energy for night.
You'd need a desalinization device, GPS, and some sort of satellite Internet service. And you'd probably need some serious waste treatment gear.
The reason I think the future will be barges instead of standard boats is that you can start small and add real estate as you can afford it. Just connect a new barge and presto. And you can dock to other barges to create temporary or permanent communities.
If the barges are designed to be connected, according to some common standard, the entire city can move around to the best weather and fishing spots as and when needed.
The reason I think this will be a compelling lifestyle is that you won't have to pay much in taxes if you live and work in international waters. And there will be no government to squelch your freedoms, unless you choose to form one.
Big countries will have no compelling reason to conquer your barge, or even your barge city, because it will have no strategic value.
With scale, you get floating hospitals and schools and all the other services you need. The big problem of course would be pirates. But there is a theoretical amount of firepower that makes that risk manageable too.
You could have your own surveillance drones that warn you well in advance of any company.
I seriously think it will happen.
Nov 8, 2010, 7:15:00 AM
ok now the waters...next space...yeah all this is on the cards.
Wonder how it would be...now thinking about my grandchildren...and if i can live long enough to see all these changed living. Will our grandchildren live in these...
Interesting read.
Nov 8, 2010, 8:15:00 AM
Shivani, you said it.
I am sure humans will have flourishing habitats all over. Water surface is in abundance on earth and political motives are comparatively less in this space, hence the thought provoking post. Our grandchildren may probably wonder how we lived on land and prospered so much, while we left a worn down, polluted, not habitat worthy earth for them.
Nov 10, 2010, 6:11:00 AM
Extremely insightful post, and a possibility to make a good earning out of such an idea, that's of course if this idea is not already being practiced. I'd look for sponsors or private big-wigs to fuel my idea and make it a reality before somebody plagiarizes my ideas. :)
Nov 13, 2010, 8:37:00 AM
Thank you Ankush! Here's wishing you the best in your endeavour if you plan to go ahead with your idea after reading this post. Nevertheless do keep visiting my blog and leave your comments. I like your spirit.