Monday, March 26, 2012

James Cameron into the Abyss

The news of James Cameron reaching the bottom of the Marianas Trench - the deepest point in the oceans and thus the deepest part of the Earth - was woefully under-reported. I'm not saying that this is of landing on the moon significant but you would think this achievement in man's exploration of the planet would get more attention than a Jennifer Lopez nipple slip.

Here's a very well done discussion of what Cameron's achievement means.

If you think of it - over the weekend Cameron reached the deepest point on Earth and Dick Cheney the former Vice President had a heart transplant. News of both was greeted with almost a ho-humm reaction. News of Chaney getting a heart transplant was news because of who was getting the transplant (and the opportunity for some to break out more Dick Chaney has not heart jokes) not because of the awe of how far modern medical science has come. Likewise - would reaching the bottom of the Marianas Trench have been reported if it wasn't Jim Cameron piloting the vessel? People have become too jaded and apathetic when it comes to technological achievement. The achievement itself should be the news - not the celebrity level involved.