Seasteading

[marydell]

I just read this interesting article on Seasteading. It seems a bit addle-pated to me, but I'm a liberal who believes in governance and regulation and whatnot, so what do I know.

http://gizmodo.com/393323/how-to-build-your-own-sea+based-country-for-fun-and-profit

I think a standalone society on an oil rig that was unassociated with any country beyond itself would attract every kind of aggressor, up to and including Reavers. But Patri Friedman, the guy interviewed in the article, waves that concern away:

"Also, the vast majority of piracy is restricted to a few areas, which we'd of course avoid."

Because if there's one thing pirates aren't willing to do, it's to relocate. I would think any sensible pirates would put your seasteading principles into practice by building themselves a nice skull-shaped island right around the corner from your community, and found a society based on the pirate code. Whereupon your own sea-based society, lacking naval or police support from an established State, would have to re-found itself on the sacred principle of Defense Against Pirates.

Sounds like a fun YA novel, actually.

[edited to remove the foul apostrophe that marauded its way into an instance of the word "pirates"]

Comments

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

It strikes me as a moderately dumb idea, and requiring a state to defend them against other states and potential or actual pirates.

[whl.livejournal.com]

Actually, I bet they give up due to mildew before the pirates get there.

I'd bet good (well, not that good) money these guys do not come from humid climates.

[ashnistrike.livejournal.com]

I believe there's one of these floating about (literally) somewhere. No pirates for the simple reason that it's not exactly a rich country.

Ah, here (http://www.sealandgov.org/) they are. Looks like they've had some troubles recently.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

This sounds like a movie that should be starring Kurt Russell.