The Great Blue Frontier
Imagine a 1969 deep-sea dive: Berry Cannon, breathing helium and running on adrenaline, swims into the darkness toward what was meant to be humanity’s first ocean outpost. ((slower)) But, tragically, his rebreather’s CO₂ scrubber was empty, and he died in the abyss. According to Packy McCormick, author of 'The Great Blue Frontier,' that moment marked the end of America’s bold ocean ambitions — just as Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon. ((thoughtful)) The ocean was once seen as the final frontier, a place to explore, exploit, and expand human reach. Now, Packy points out, we're on the brink of a new era — where the ocean could become a permanent part of our economy, not just a resource or a playground. Will O’Brien, co-founder of Ulysses, argues that this shift is no longer science fiction but a massive economic opportunity. So here’s the thing — what if the ocean isn’t just the last great frontier, but the next one we actually settle?