Questioning what is really going on in the PSUBS list is a bit like
lifting a large rock and suddenly exposing the community of small
creatures underneath to the harsh light of day. PSUBS is largely a
community of fantasyists. Only a handful of participants have ever
built and/or operated a sub. A few are "building" one but few will
ever
become operational. A larger group are "designing" them. Most of
these
are not actual engineering designs but sketches and ideas. They range
from the functional to the impossible but tend to center on the
impractical.
As a group the list is enthusiastic and good natured. There are a lot
of posts but only occasionally does one actually convey real knowledge
and most of these are in regard to technical details of construction.
First hand operational experience is virtually never discussed.
Subs, aircraft, and boats tend to attract a follo! wing of dreamers and
perennial builders. It's a boys thing and harmless enough except in
the
rare event of actually completing construction and actually trying to
use the thing.
PSUBS is best enjoyed for what it is. As a male techno-fantasy social
phenomenon PSUBs is fascinating but as a source of real world
knowledge
of functional submersibles it only occasionally has anything to offer.
Walter Starck
www.goldendolphin.com
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