Depth of the Ocean, Scaled to Human Size

Microbes swimming in a layer of dew, and a pixel at 3.6 billion miles:

Pale Blue Dot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot

I am all for pointing a good focus on the exploration of the deep. From a cost/return perspective, the ocean is FAR more lucrative than space. Don't get me wrong, I want a much greater effort put forth into space as well, but, let's face it, the ocean is a lot more feasible for manned exploration at this point in time.

The pressures involved are a problem, yes, but we've already developed and are even currently using the technology to overcome that. I mean, for crying out loud, we set people down in the Challenge Deep back in 1960!

Max has got a good point, but I think it's actually very difficult to explore the deep ocean because of the pressures involved.

Seeing the ocean in person makes me feel insignificant. This graphic produces a similar effect.

And really, the whole ocean is a tiny, infinitesimally small speck in the universe.

Makes you feel pretty small, doesn't it?

Wow. Thanks for the nightmares.