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Mr. Scorpio

(73,631 posts)
Thu Jun 22, 2023, 06:53 PM Jun 2023

A different perspective about the submersible incident, if you don't mind... [View all]

It's not as if I'm willing to make light of those tragic deaths, because I'm not.

However, in my own perspective as a Black man living in America, I have gone through life understanding that... Well, there are some things that only white people will do... Especially, some rich white people who were willing to pay an exorbitant amount of money to invoke an entitlement to cheat death inside of a carbon fibre death trap 20,000 feet under the sea. All for what, to brag about the experience of taking a gander a murky, century old shipwreck on a flat screen TV? Frankly, I can't help but to regard that as pure hubris and a level of selfishness that's utterly inconceivable.

To me, their fate is not just a cautious tale of having more money than sense. It's a tableau to the intersection of basic white entitlement and excessive wealth.

And what was it not? It wasn't an exercise of existential imperative, like those poor refugees who were lead to their tragic deaths on Mediterranean.

Most people, without either the sense of entitlement or access to great and disposable wealth find much more reasonable pursuits to escape the endemic boredom of existence... They fly to Vegas and blow the mortgage money and the inheritance of their progeny, they go white water rafting on the Colorado River while NOT regarding the dynamic nature of the water levels at any given time, they attempt to play tag with an annoyed bison in Yellowstone Park for Instagram clout. And after all that, most go home to resume their not as freaking loaded humdrum existence. They don't think about the giddy fun of blowing the equivalent of a two bedroom ranch house in the midwest to look at a hole in the ground on flat screen TV at the bottom of the freaking ocean.

Again, as a Black man living in America, the level of excessive risk taking by those poor souls currently communing with Davy Jones is clearly a white people's thing. Setting the aside the notion of how whiteness is centered, especially the aspirational nature of rich, privileged whiteness, one must understand that traveling to the bottom of the ocean in a windowless death trap isn't a universal desire.

Rich white people are built differently and, we have to admit, it's not all good for anyone.

The late submersible crew and passengers may have paid a quarter million each for the privilege of becoming deep sea fish food, but considering the unnecessary rescue operation that ensued, we all as taxpayers have had to foot a bill. If these same rich and whiter-than-white captains of run away capitalism went up into the stratosphere inside of a chartered spacecraft that would have had the bad taste to explode like a Roman candle over a vast swath of populated areas, we all as taxpayers would have had to foot the bill. If Peter Thiel actually built his proposed floating ode to libertarian delusional thinking in the Pacific and it sank, taking more rich white people down with it, we all as taxpayers would have to foot the bill.

It doesn't take much to extrapolate that the risk taking of bored, rich white people can easily elevate to the level of a public menace.

And it's not going to stop... It's only going to get more risky, due to the persistence of rich white aspirational idealism. Elon Musk wants to rely on a portion of taxpayer funds and resources to strand bored rich white people on the Planet Mars.

Doesn't anyone see the problem with all of this? Again, I'm merely speaking outside of the centeredness of whiteness and outside of frames of reference of vast, unencumbered wealth.

I wouldn't know how to stop the problem from becoming bigger, because like of all of you, I'm merely a spectator. Despite that, to me, it's a presents the clear and imperative necessity of the vast white majority to get the white, privileged few under control. The romanticism of gazing lovingly at a corroded shipwreck will not do any of us any favors in the long run.

Anyway... May all the poor souls, rich and poor alike, rest in eternal peace.








220 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Ironically, the CEO of OceanGate (now RIP) said "We don't want old white guys piloting our sub" WarGamer Jun 2023 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #60
The pilot was 77 yrs old known as Mr Titanic. Historic NY Jun 2023 #153
Old white guys would have cost too much. shrike3 Jun 2023 #166
He must not have had any mirrors in his house. eom littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #189
Why bother with mirrors when one doesn't soldierant Jun 2023 #198
It's not that I disagree with your entire premise senseandsensibility Jun 2023 #2
Definitely leans wealthy MALE. I'd consider sky-diving, but never something like that... hlthe2b Jun 2023 #16
Considering there were no females in that dive....... nt LiberalFighter Jun 2023 #19
There have been on others. CBS Sunday mornning did a piece on it some time back... hlthe2b Jun 2023 #22
I totally agree!!!! EOM Scottie Mom Jun 2023 #47
Agree nt spooky3 Jun 2023 #53
I would confess to Jimmy Hoffa's burial location DBoon Jun 2023 #112
Thank you montanacowboy Jun 2023 #3
Kicking. MontanaMama Jun 2023 #4
K&R brer cat Jun 2023 #5
very well put Recycle_Guru Jun 2023 #6
It was indeed a "vanity" excursion, plain and simple..... anciano Jun 2023 #7
Yes! It was also macabre. Who spends $200,000 plus to go to a graveyard? littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #36
Yes rebe303 Jun 2023 #58
❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #73
This. calimary Jun 2023 #76
Thank you. I got started & had couldn't quit. It has been an emotionally charging experience. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #79
3d mapping DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #96
That was a lie. They were a bare bones operation. littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #102
The boast about breaking the rules will ALWAYS bother me. calimary Jun 2023 #116
During the coverage of this incident... Hugin Jun 2023 #126
ROV? COTS? KPN Jun 2023 #168
Remotely Operated Vehicle & Commercial Off The Shelf. n/t Hugin Jun 2023 #171
Moreover, the OGate operators lied to prospective customers. Several articles reveal that people allegorical oracle Jun 2023 #216
As it turns out, it was scientific - no carbon fiber subs with off-the-shelf parts. hatrack Jun 2023 #136
... Hugin Jun 2023 #140
Hi, Hugin. littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #180
Humans have a propensity... Hugin Jun 2023 #183
Thanks! ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #188
hatrack, I wish I understood what you mean but this phrase doesn't make sense to me. littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #177
That is a hypothesis grantcart Jun 2023 #203
... markie Jun 2023 #8
Preach brother HAB911 Jun 2023 #9
Two of them were Pakistani, but I take your point. meadowlander Jun 2023 #10
Yes, I was going to say the same thing. Not all were white. Sky Jewels Jun 2023 #74
was that being reported? i only heard the family wanted privacy nt orleans Jun 2023 #105
There have been some reports like this one: Sky Jewels Jun 2023 #152
I linked to the BBC's report in post 10. There's profiles and pics on all the people who died. meadowlander Jun 2023 #173
I keep thinking of the woman who cried because after saving up for 30 years, her ride down tblue37 Jun 2023 #11
She is on the one someone else has in a video link here. BlackSkimmer Jun 2023 #155
Spot on analysis, I think BunnyMcGee Jun 2023 #12
Male, Mr. Scorpio. Overwhelmingly male. OTT, spot on observations. Hekate Jun 2023 #13
+1 spooky3 Jun 2023 #52
If a black man had the money, he might do it treestar Jun 2023 #14
Maybe Clarence and Ginny Thomas will do it? LiberalFighter Jun 2023 #20
Don't forget Kanye AwakeAtLast Jun 2023 #104
He has lost much of his money. tblue37 Jun 2023 #157
Is he still eating? We should start a Go Fund Me for the poor fellow Bucky Jun 2023 #194
that would be so sad. jcgoldie Jun 2023 #120
Hmm NJCher Jun 2023 #123
Perhaps black people face so much risk in their everyday lives that they don't need to pay for it. barbaraann Jun 2023 #21
as much risk as going down in that submersible treestar Jun 2023 #23
Not that much for sure, but way more than white people, IMHO. n/t barbaraann Jun 2023 #26
Yes, that much....for sure. Sogo Jun 2023 #65
Risk of Death by Accident is orders of magnitude higher DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #70
Black billionaires probably don't have much more risk that other colors DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #71
I would guess that there are so few black billionaires that the risk couldn't be assessed. barbaraann Jun 2023 #97
Black people directly experience the results of risks that fail DBoon Jun 2023 #114
Like when banks fail and the taxpayers bail them out. barbaraann Jun 2023 #117
or when some crazy business idea fails ... DBoon Jun 2023 #118
Seriously, go to an ER some evening. The racial diversity will warm your heart. Bucky Jun 2023 #195
One example that might indicate more cautious behavior by the victims of racism. barbaraann Jun 2023 #219
Right on Ways Jun 2023 #25
No, he wouldn't. NotVeryImportant Jun 2023 #33
Greed and avarice elias7 Jun 2023 #15
+1 appalachiablue Jun 2023 #212
The last thing the captain said was, jaxexpat Jun 2023 #17
link? nt (or are you joking?) nt orleans Jun 2023 #108
The arrogance of rich white men. Murphyb849 Jun 2023 #18
Risk taking is hardly a white man's game Zeitghost Jun 2023 #24
American Psychological Assn guidelines for counseling men and boys spooky3 Jun 2023 #55
Men are certainly more risk seeking Zeitghost Jun 2023 #56
This kind of stupidity is different. People have always wondered what it Wonder Why Jun 2023 #100
I think the bulk of this tragedy LuvLoogie Jun 2023 #27
I'm not sure how you can draw that conclusion regarding the son Zeitghost Jun 2023 #31
I read a blurb where the sister said he LuvLoogie Jun 2023 #34
Okay Zeitghost Jun 2023 #41
According to his aunt, he didn't want to go... PunkinPi Jun 2023 #133
Well, at least 2 of the tourists were Pakistani, so we don't know... getagrip_already Jun 2023 #28
Shahzada Dawood, 48, and Suleman Dawood, 19 meadowlander Jun 2023 #67
Suleman's mother is white JI7 Jun 2023 #145
Who cares? BlackSkimmer Jun 2023 #156
Follow the conversation JI7 Jun 2023 #162
Again, I see race having nothing to do with this. BlackSkimmer Jun 2023 #165
I didn't say race had anything to do with them going on that thing JI7 Jun 2023 #167
But that's the premise of the OP and what I was responding to. meadowlander Jun 2023 #174
The person you replied to made some comments about racial traits JI7 Jun 2023 #209
Rich idiots come in every skin tone. meadowlander Jun 2023 #210
My comment has nothing to do with rich people JI7 Jun 2023 #211
Barack Obama's mother is white. nt LexVegas Jun 2023 #175
We used to celebrate adventurous risk taking Zeitghost Jun 2023 #29
Adventure versus Commercial Venture Random Boomer Jun 2023 #82
I'm not sure if you noticed Zeitghost Jun 2023 #111
Culture or economics? NJCher Jun 2023 #125
You're right. American Experience tells the story this way... littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #191
It's an anti-rich sentiment. NH Ethylene Jun 2023 #143
We still do, just not blindly and for reasons of vanity. Caliman73 Jun 2023 #179
That's just it Zeitghost Jun 2023 #182
...on second thought, watching Peter Thiel's project sink beneath the waves might be most intriguing calimary Jun 2023 #30
K&R ismnotwasm Jun 2023 #32
Rich White Man Voodoo Beetwasher. Jun 2023 #35
❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #37
The Navy knew they popped, but didn't want to divulge secrets? Nice Shanti Shanti Shanti Jun 2023 #38
The Navy shared the info Zeitghost Jun 2023 #44
So what's the theory on the banging noises being heard now? Orcas banging pots n pans? Shanti Shanti Shanti Jun 2023 #122
nature is full of noise Bucky Jun 2023 #196
Explorers explore, but I'd ride with boring old white guys like Bob Ballard and James Cameron Shanti Shanti Shanti Jun 2023 #39
Same here Zeitghost Jun 2023 #46
👍👍👍 Rebl2 Jun 2023 #80
They actually crashed into the Titanic and Scrivener7 Jun 2023 #124
James Cameron has been down 3x deeper, to 35,787 fucking feet , that's some wild shit, he rules Shanti Shanti Shanti Jun 2023 #207
That's nice. But he did crash into the Titanic and damage it and his submersible. Scrivener7 Jun 2023 #217
Thank you for your well thought out post, Mr Scorpio. debm55 Jun 2023 #40
I'm sure the departed had secret Swiss bank account numbers to give to St Peter. Beakybird Jun 2023 #42
Lordy, not everything has to be framed in terms of black and white Goodheart Jun 2023 #43
The man is just giving us his thought's and perspective as a non billionaire black person. Ligyron Jun 2023 #77
It's definitely a pampered rich people problem, but 40% of the people onboard weren't white Bucky Jun 2023 #107
Race inthewind21 Jun 2023 #161
This! All. Day. Long. Forever! !!! Higherarky Jun 2023 #170
Interesting. Yes, race is a social construct. But... Bucky Jun 2023 #192
Agree 💯% evemac Jun 2023 #45
This is an amazingly good post! Scottie Mom Jun 2023 #48
Is it white male or just male. 3Hotdogs Jun 2023 #49
Yusaku Maezawa says 'Hold my beer' Red Mountain Jun 2023 #50
+1 betsuni Jun 2023 #64
Can I just point out what a stupid insignia this company has? Bucky Jun 2023 #193
Thank You... Thank You My Brother djacq Jun 2023 #51
I spoke to my dad and he too was angry at the "selfishness" ecstatic Jun 2023 #54
It is a tragedy, with some strange details. love_katz Jun 2023 #57
I have been fascinated by Titanic all my life Maeve Jun 2023 #59
Maybe this obsession with the Titanic is an issue in itself. LisaM Jun 2023 #66
It's the hubris I find so fascinating Maeve Jun 2023 #72
Your words feel racist DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #61
Not racist - RevBrotherThomas Jun 2023 #141
How so? ismnotwasm Jun 2023 #185
You are right to question this point DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #205
Not racist. I think it's clear the OP meant it's a cultural phenomenon, But... Bucky Jun 2023 #197
Maybe not racist Zeitghost Jun 2023 #204
It is hard to talk about things truthfully without being accused of being racist DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #206
This message was self-deleted by its author Bucky Jun 2023 #213
Nicely stated and true to the point. Thanks Firestorm49 Jun 2023 #62
Speaking for yourself . . . OneBro Jun 2023 #63
You are defining these people according to some nasty stereotypes. milestogo Jun 2023 #68
+1 Takket Jun 2023 #88
It seems the "company" thought the sub could do it! DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #92
Well, he was not objective. milestogo Jun 2023 #93
That was a very enlightening foray Higherarky Jun 2023 #178
An unfortunate exercise in 'eisocentric' logic grantcart Jun 2023 #69
"We live in a sea of stupidity." Haggard Celine Jun 2023 #91
When you explain it like this, of course, employ the phrase "eisocentric" Bucky Jun 2023 #199
POST 200: Your comment is the best post in this thread Bucky Jun 2023 #200
Excellent post. BlackSkimmer Jun 2023 #220
Well said. I've had similar thoughts. byronius Jun 2023 #75
Similar DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #86
I believe your words, as extremely well written as they are, Sogo Jun 2023 #78
+1 betsuni Jun 2023 #84
Here's my take; karma's a bitch Tarc Jun 2023 #81
This ain't karma Bucky Jun 2023 #201
That is...exactly what I said Tarc Jun 2023 #208
I agree... Pototan Jun 2023 #83
I see the problem with it -- It's called stupidity vlyons Jun 2023 #85
It's one thing to go down to do science... Kablooie Jun 2023 #87
k&r Tom Yossarian Joad Jun 2023 #89
Thank you.. well said. mountain grammy Jun 2023 #90
The sub was controlled by a video game controller. The Jungle 1 Jun 2023 #94
Recommended. H2O Man Jun 2023 #95
My reaction- and my perspective - were very similar. I have no pity or sympathy for wealthy people Martin68 Jun 2023 #98
I am surprised at the depth of anger here concerning this tragic event. Jack-o-Lantern Jun 2023 #99
Some may feel that the victims brought it on themselves. mwb970 Jun 2023 #138
Everything is warped to feed grievance by those taken over by it. Hortensis Jun 2023 #218
Thank you. May they all rest in peace. That said, most media promote views of whose deaths are more ancianita Jun 2023 #101
Safety be damned? Never go there! czarjak Jun 2023 #103
We think alike. Bluethroughu Jun 2023 #106
Stupid overconfidence comes in every color of humanity. This is NOT a 'white people' thing Bucky Jun 2023 #109
Agree NowISeetheLight Jun 2023 #127
This was not a good analogy. NotVeryImportant Jun 2023 #163
Yes, indeed Wild blueberry Jun 2023 #110
Wow! I'm still trying to wrap my head around what you said. CaptainTruth Jun 2023 #113
Truth is, I really don't give a rat's ass about some assholes going... TreasonousBastard Jun 2023 #115
In the original Titanic disaster orangecrush Jun 2023 #119
Not really . . . . hatrack Jun 2023 #137
Thanks orangecrush Jun 2023 #150
With climate change kaotikross Jun 2023 #121
FASCINATING thread. I don't agree with you on all points, Mr. Scorpio Scrivener7 Jun 2023 #128
What I find the most striking... Hugin Jun 2023 #142
That's a point. Scrivener7 Jun 2023 #149
Let's not forget NJCher Jun 2023 #129
Reminded me of this. retread Jun 2023 #130
Beautifully put. 100% agree Goddessartist Jun 2023 #131
Brilliant bit of writing, Mr. Scorpio. It belongs in a national publication! Vinca Jun 2023 #132
"Get the rich white priviliged few under control". lark Jun 2023 #134
Seeing the Titanic would fill me with awe. So would the view from atop Mt. Everest. BUT....... Siwsan Jun 2023 #135
Excellent post. I think there should be an Obscenely Wealthy Tax on everyone making more than LaMouffette Jun 2023 #139
I always enjoy your writing. you have laid out exactly what's been ruminating in my brain. Javaman Jun 2023 #144
Spot on IbogaProject Jun 2023 #146
People die trying to get selfies JI7 Jun 2023 #147
Absolutely! kooth Jun 2023 #148
A great OP malaise Jun 2023 #151
Two thumbs way up. PelicanScot_V3 Jun 2023 #154
Amen DonCoquixote Jun 2023 #158
Let's not forget about all the unburied corpses littering the mountain as well... Mr. Scorpio Jun 2023 #176
I hate to break it to you Zeitghost Jun 2023 #184
Actually Snackshack Jun 2023 #159
Great piece. Thanks. SpankMe Jun 2023 #160
Two of the passengers were Pakistani. Or does being "rich" shift them into the White category? question everything Jun 2023 #164
I appreciated this very much. Thank you. shrike3 Jun 2023 #169
another perspective maliaSmith Jun 2023 #172
+1 DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #215
One of the best discussions we've had here in a long time. Excellent OP! littlemissmartypants Jun 2023 #181
judge not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character Dorn Jun 2023 #186
I think the racial characterization of what drove these people Red Mountain Jun 2023 #187
It's also a cautionary tale to all rich men Warpy Jun 2023 #190
No!! Don't tell rich people not to do this Bucky Jun 2023 #202
You just want it to be in your home country so that many of your family & friends will all be there DontBelieveEastisEas Jun 2023 #214
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