Seasteading

How Floating Nations Will Restore the Environment, Enrich the Poor, Cure the Sick, and Liberate Humanity from Politicians

By: Joe Quirk, Patri Friedman

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Our planet is suffering from serious environmental problems: coastal flooding due to severe storms caused in part by atmospheric pollution, diminishing natural resources such as clean water, and so on. But while these problems plague planet Earth, two-thirds of our globe is ocean. The seas can be home to pioneers, seasteaders, who are willing to homestead the Blue Frontier. Oil platforms and cruise ships already inhabit the waters; now it's time to take the next step to full-fledged ocean civilizations.

In their fascinating examination of a practical solution to our earthly problems, Joe Quirk and Patri Friedman profile some of the visionaries who are implementing basic concepts of seasteading: farming the oceans for new sources of nutrition; using the seas as a new sustainable energy source; establishing more equitable economies; and reinventing architecture to accommodate the demands of living on the ocean.

©2017 The Seasteading Institute (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Passionate and convincing. The idea of individual sovereignty could finally come true with floating ocean cities." (Titus Gebel, Founder & CEO of Free Private Cities Ltd)

To the sea we will return

I absolutely loved this book! I’ll admit that I was just curious when I got it after seeing it as an editor suggested read on another site, but I would have been very disappointed if I had not purchased it. The concepts are so simple, though each has its own complexity, that my blood has been pumping since I began listening to it. Free thinkers this is for you.

a whole nother world

it's hard to believe that someone has already figured out how to solve the problems of world poverty, war, and carbon dioxide buildup, but read this book and you'll get it. and Sean Pratt is the best didactic reader on the planet.

unbelievable book that every person needs to read

the content in the layout of this book were outstanding. the sources the interviews and the in-depth knowledge I don't feel could be acquired anywhere else in such a dense material

Wow

Quite a presentation. This Seasteading Project really felt like a Disney Epcot at Sea. Disney already full force in the cruise industry might be a prime candidate to partner with on this venture.

Unrealistic. Futile. These terms are more appropriate for solutions not involving seasteading.

The concept of seasteading is revolutionary. The author reminds us that revolutionary concepts have always been required to solve humanity’s greatest challenges.... or else they wouldn’t have been that great of a challenge. Some will say this idea is unrealistic, futile, or “pie in the sky”. To the contrary, I now wholeheartedly believe humanity will be thrashed by wave upon wave of turmoil, unless it can harness the potential of the seas. It’s almost as if borders are literally constraining land-based solutions from going too far outside of the box. Seasteading can break these antiquated bonds and free humanity from their death grip. It’s fantastic, but no more fantastical than the idea that humans would walk on the moon less than a century after it first took flight. Throughout every chapter of this well-written book, I was captivated. I smiled cheek to cheek every time the author playfully imagined future seasteaders asking land folk, “how do you manage X on land?” I found myself constantly astounded by the incredible aquapeneurs’ proposed solutions to problems I previously thought were unsolvable. The concept of seasteading doesn’t claim to have the answers, it simply envisions providing a (floating) platform for those that might. The true beauty of the seasteading concept is the accessibility for anyone who cares about any of the myriad of the world’s largest, most pressing issues. Environmentalists concerned about the deterioration of ecosystems (pollution, sea habitat destruction, rising CO2 levels). Humanitarians concerned about the less fortunate (poverty, homelessness, hunger). Those concerned about overpopulation and dwindling resources. Seasteading can unite us all. It can unite people like me, who are simply frustrated and fed up by the political climate of their countries, where the only constant seems to be how much worse it’s getting. On land, we are growing to hate each other for having different political solutions. With seasteading, we could actually start to appreciate and value differences in political thought, by being given the ultimate ability to “agree to disagree”. Everyone has nuanced political views and almost all of them are misaligned with the politics of most existing states. How can we find the best way to set up society when most methods cannot even be tried? Seasteading provides a framework for a political ecumenicism. A communist and a capitalist could both finally demonstrate their “true forms”, and perhaps both come to realize they both were wrong, and all without killing each other! Only through this Petri dish of societies will humanity devise the best way to organize itself. I hope one day in the future I will wake up, and open my blinds to the vision of a bustling, beautiful, ocean community. A community that I chose. Until then, I will espouse that dream, as well the seasteading concept, as much as possible. Sharing this book is how I will start. Of course, 5 out of 5 stars. And thank you, Mr. Friedman and Mr. Quirk, for giving me hope.

Emmersive!

I couldn't stop listening. The ideas and cases made in this book are inspiring. Will listen to it again for sure.

Mind changer.

At first, I thought seasteading was for hermits and pirates. After reading this book, I’m convinced that seasteading is the future for humanity. We won’t have any other choice in 50 years. The gold rush is now and the opportunity to invest is just beginning.

Thanks for opening my eyes Joe.

this book challenges the conventional wisdom

i finished this book in 2 days. fascinating and entertaining. highly recommended for all technology/freedom/futuristic lovers

Wow! A bible of sorts for freedom lovers

For anyone who counts themselves a little of freedom, this is a must-read. So inspiring, so many possibilities, and so much of it is already happening! we just didn't know it!
Where is real freedom being created and expanded? Apparently out on the high seas. who knew?!

Most remarkable book i've read in years

This book holds you from the start. If you are interested in climate change, circular economies, or ESG then it is for you. If you enjoy free-thinking and radical solutions, then it is also for you.

It sets out the 8 problems to solve and, well, solves them. The science is sound, the solution is achievable and the story of how to get there is lucidly explained. If you handed the climate problem, along with all available science, to a crack design thinking team, I believe that the solution that would emerge would look something like this. Understand the route problems and their interconnectivity, and solve for all or none. This shoots for all and makes a pretty impressive case of it.

I have read/listened to many books on climate change and potential solutions but not a single one has been so instantly attractive or well explained. From food and energy security to land use and rising sea levels, it is remarkable and reads in a way that simultaneously makes you think that each part is obvious, and yet amazing. I guess that is the way that really great breakthroughs happen.

In short, outside of the considerable manmade barriers (politics, power, and permission granting) I went into this book with a weary skepticism and came out with a sense that there was a very real solution that is in reach.