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The Titanic In 3-D 88

crimeandpunishment writes "A scientific expedition to the Titanic will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck. A 'dream team' of archaeologists, oceanographers, and other scientists will spend 20 days assessing the legendary ship's deteriorating condition, and collecting data and images. They're calling it the most advanced scientific mission to Titanic since its discovery 25 years ago. A leader of the expedition says this is the first time the wreck will be treated as an archaeological site, with two goals: 'One is to preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of the Titanic itself. The second part is to really understand what the state of the ship is.'"
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The Titanic In 3-D

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  • by The MAZZTer ( 911996 ) <megazztNO@SPAMgmail.com> on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:23PM (#33050916) Homepage

    "The second part is to really understand what the state of the ship is."

    Oh I can help with that. "Sunk."

    • by BJ_Covert_Action ( 1499847 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:38PM (#33051058) Homepage Journal

      One is to preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of the Titanic itself.

      And by this part, I suppose they mean to "preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of a ridiculous show of hubris and excess built on the backs or hundreds of poor workers by a Victorian aristocracy that was as far removed from reality as is possible before a society starts to break down."

      That's not saying that folks in the present day couldn't learn a thing or two from the story of the titanic, but I doubt the right folks will be paying attention.

      • by God'sDuck ( 837829 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:52PM (#33051172)

        Hmm...putting a huge but shoddily built seagoing vessel with insufficient safeguards in a place where its sinking could kill people and traumatize a nation after being accidentally subjected to sudden pressure coming from a great and frigid depth...who could bp so foolish as to repeat this mistake in this modern age?

      • Re: (Score:1, Troll)

        Oh, but isn't it wonderful that we are so rich that we can spend big money on the really important things, like digging through the dumpster we laughingly refer to as "the Atlantic Ocean" for historical tidbits? Yes, as a society our priorities are clearly in proper order... Screw our natural resources, this Titanic thingie will sell advertising! And after all is said and done, isn't that what life's all about?
      • That's not saying that folks in the present day couldn't learn a thing or two from the story of the titanic

        Do people really know the whole story? Some may fix history with a few revisions.

        Long after the sinking took place, an insightful official (you can guess who) declared war on terrorism. Those terrorist icebergs will be exterminated through a strategy of global warming.

      • by nyctopterus ( 717502 ) on Wednesday July 28, 2010 @06:56AM (#33054766) Homepage

        I don't think this is a fair characterisation of what was going on in the passenger ship business at the time. These ships were profitable, and a large part of the money came from 2nd and 3rd class accommodation (which was, incidentally, better on the Titanic than most other ships of the day). It was also a relatively safe ship, the hole that sank the Titanic would sink just about any ship.

        These ships weren't 'ridiculous show[s] of hubris' any more than a fleet of 747s are. They were profitable and efficient ways of moving a lot of people around. Several companies were building ships the same size or bigger when the Titanic set off on it's maiden voyage, because it was seen as the most efficient way to run a passenger service.

        The problem was that it wasn't carrying enough life boats. This was a regulatory problem (although you could argue that this shouldn't need regulation, it was just common sense!).

        I don't think there are a lot of things to be learned from the Titanic: it was one fluke event. To learn the right lessons we need a bigger sample, more data. If we base our decisions on impressive single events, we're going to be make some silly decisions.

        • by tehcyder ( 746570 ) on Wednesday July 28, 2010 @09:26AM (#33056164) Journal

          The problem was that it wasn't carrying enough life boats. This was a regulatory problem (although you could argue that this shouldn't need regulation, it was just common sense!).

          No, no, the free market corrected this by itself! Not many of the original passengers chose to go on a ship again.

        • by cdrguru ( 88047 )

          The problem was that it wasn't carrying enough life boats. This was a regulatory problem (although you could argue that this shouldn't need regulation, it was just common sense!).

          If you have read any of the accounts of the Titanic sinking it isn't like there were 1500 people standing around wondering what to do now that the lifeboats were gone. It is a lot closer to the truth that they loaded the lifeboats and the ship sank under them as the last boats were loaded. The ran out of time trying to get the collapsable lifeboats launched and never made use of one of them. This would have been the same story if they had a lot more lifeboats.

          There were 16 lifeboats. It was estimated th

          • I disagree that they didn't have time. The Lusitania got a similar number off in 18 minutes(!), which suggests that there wasn't enough of a sense of urgency in unloading the Titanic. Perhaps because it seemed pointless in any case.

          • by dryeo ( 100693 )

            Last time I crossed the Atlantic by ocean liner, they had a thing called "life boat drill". Basically practice for if the ship sank, and people showed up at their life boat stations pretty quick.
            One of the problems with the Titanic was people had not practiced as it was considered unsinkable and even when it was sinking people still didn't believe it and preferred to stay on the ship rather then get in life boats.

    • And on the first goal of "...preserve the legacy of the ship by enhancing the story of the Titanic itself..." It's been done. A lot. The last damn movie was in the theaters for over a year, I think the "legacy" has been "embraced" and even had a terrible theme song sung by that canadian harpy. Let's, you know, move on to other shipwrecks if that's our thing... without a song by Celine Dion this time, please.

    • by blair1q ( 305137 )

      If it's still there.

      I mean, who's been guarding it?

      • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

        by KlaymenDK ( 713149 )

        If it's still there.

        I mean, who's been guarding it?

        Why, a giant horde of bioconcretious structures! (dun-dun dunnnn!)

        Oh wait, those rusticles are why Titanic (almost) isn't still there...

  • Also found (Score:3, Funny)

    by mark72005 ( 1233572 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:26PM (#33050938)
    Let us know if you find the wreckage of Windows Mobile down there!
  • Close one (Score:4, Interesting)

    by PlasmaEye ( 1128377 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:28PM (#33050962)

    A scientific expedition to the Titanic will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck.

    Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

    • Agreed. That was a near miss.
    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D.

      As did I. But frankly, is the actual project any more compelling? Its not like the Titanic is a remnant of a lost civilization.

      • Its not like the Titanic is a remnant of a lost civilization.

        It's a pop icon, like Disney World or the Eiffel Tower. It will persist forever in a tomb of copyright and exploitation to titillate the masses and enrich the powerful. So, I'm pretty much OK with that.

      • Re:Close one (Score:4, Interesting)

        by Monkeedude1212 ( 1560403 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:41PM (#33051078) Journal

        Its not like the Titanic is a remnant of a lost civilization.

        I'm not sure if you were referring to the ship or the movie. But actually it is. One is a remnant of civilization in the early 1900's and the other is a remnant of civilization in the 1990's.

        Perhaps our definitions of "lost" mean different things though, in which case I'd just agree to disagree.

        • Perhaps our definitions of "lost" mean different things though, in which case I'd just agree to disagree.

          My definition of "lost" is distinct form my definition of "past". We don't need to study the Titanic to figure out what civilization was like in the early 1900's.

          • Just like we don't need to study the pyramids to figure out what civilization was like in ancient Egypt, but I'd still consider that civilization as lost in this context. I'd consider the terms almost synonymous when dealing with great historic monuments. And a Disaster site is just as monumental as a structure, just see Pompei

            • Just like we don't need to study the pyramids to figure out what civilization was like in ancient Egypt, but I'd still consider that civilization as lost in this context. I'd consider the terms almost synonymous when dealing with great historic monuments. And a Disaster site is just as monumental as a structure, just see Pompei

              Egypt? Pompei? I think you are getting yourself a tad worked up here. We are talking about a ship that sank less than 100 years ago at this point. What great archaeological finds do you suppose have yet to be discovered?

              • Preservation of artifacts today is as big a deal as discovering them in the first place. It wouldn't do us a heck of a lot of good if we went and bulldozed all of our historical culture to set up a new strip mall or waterpark. Keeping this stuff around is no easy task.

                The Titanic is no different, it is an antiquity of a very rare nature: It's not just an ocean liner, it's THE ocean liner from the 1900's that every one knows and remembers, it's story makes it a celebrity.

                Now, Given that it's under a league o

        • The show "Lost" fucked up my definition of the word lost.

          Now I don't know what it means anymore.

      • is the actual project any more compelling?

        To that, I have one thing to say:

        Leonardo DiCaprio.

        So the answer is yes, it is slightly more compelling. Unless he's narrating.

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by couchslug ( 175151 )

        It's a good way to get funding. The Titanic was a delicious drama, with romantic deathy fapworthyness oozing from every porthole.

        After the techies are done playing with their equipment and learning more about using it, a documentary or several can help pay for their fun.

        I approve. :)

    • by BJ_Covert_Action ( 1499847 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:44PM (#33051104) Homepage Journal
      Who says they aren't? But that will come in another press announcement that will also include the information that the sequel is going to be produced by Michael Bay. Only this time, instead of an ice berg sinking the Titanic, it will be an experimental submarine with tactical nuke torpedoes! And instead of Leo Di Caprio falling in love, we will be treated to a lead role as performed by Bruce Willis! And instead of falling in love with a rich girl, he will uncover a secret plot where the captain plans to steal the ship and turn it over to the Russians to cement their naval dominance of the Black Sea. Of course, Bruce will only be able to challenge the captain, as played by Kevin Spacey, with the aid of his lithe but sassy sidekick Lucy Liu! The whole thing will be so epic that the only way Bruce and Lucy can escape is on the back of sharks with friggin' laser beams attached to their foreheads. Avatar look out! Titanic in 3-D is making a run at your box office records!
      • Avatar look out! Titanic in 3-D is making a run at your box office records!

        Um... They're both James Cameron films. What would he care if one outshone the other.
        • by gmhowell ( 26755 )

          Avatar look out! Titanic in 3-D is making a run at your box office records!

          Um... They're both James Cameron films. What would he care if one outshone the other.

          Depends on how many points he got. And whether they were gross or net.

    • Re:Close one (Score:4, Informative)

      by Lev13than ( 581686 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:48PM (#33051138) Homepage
      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

      Well, you're in luck because James Cameron has a Spring 2012 [usatoday.com] target to have a 3D remastered version of the movie in theatres. Not only will you get to watch your "will he blend" propeller scene in glorious multi-dimensional detail, you'll also get to experience Kate Winslet's 30' tall boobs nestled in your lap.
      • by Threni ( 635302 )

        Will they still have smoke coming out of all the funnels?

      • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

        by gmhowell ( 26755 )

        you'll also get to experience Kate Winslet's 30' tall boobs nestled in your lap.

        I'm gonna start waiting for tickets right now. Excuse me.

        • by ZosX ( 517789 )

          Mmmmmmmmm.......booooooooobs.......

        • you'll also get to experience Kate Winslet's 30' tall boobs nestled in your lap.

          I'm gonna start waiting for tickets right now. Excuse me.

          I've never heard fapping called that before.

      • by pspahn ( 1175617 )
        This thread clearly needs a -1 Nauseating mod.
    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

      It will probably happen. One of my ex's is a producer on an IMAX 3D movie (made for IMAX, not a re-purposed hollywood movie) and she's rubbed shoulders with Cameron and his wife. Last year she went to a pre-screening of Avatar at his private theater and Cameron also showed about 5 minutes of footage from Titanic in 3D and said re-releasing it in 3D is one of the things he would really like to do.

    • A scientific expedition to the Titanic will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck.

      Oh, thank God. From the title I thought Hollywood was re-releasing Titanic in 3-D. Although the guy hitting the propeller would be pretty cool in 3-D.

      Funny you say that. They are doing a re-release of the movie in 3D for a 2011 release.

    • I was really hoping they'd enhance the story to the movie too.
  • by eexaa ( 1252378 ) on Tuesday July 27, 2010 @04:30PM (#33050972) Homepage

    With great curiosity I click on the hilited link "three-dimensional map of the world's most famous shipwreck" (which is irresistible you know) and find a nearly-slashdotted site that actually hasn't that model yet.

    never mind.

  • by Tinlad ( 947666 )
    After reading the title, for one horrible moment I thought that James Cameron was going to drag the 13 year old film from its grave and milk it for yet more money by pointlessly converting it into 3-D for a new cinematic release in 2012. Thank goodness that's not happening.
    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by jd2112 ( 1535857 )
      He could re-render the CGI in 3-D but Leo DiCaprio's performance will still be two-dimensional..
    • by MLCT ( 1148749 )
      Hasn't he already said that a remake of it in 3d is on his list? He is trying to generate a 3d bandwagon after-all, so dredging up some of his past ballbaggery movies and milking more money from them would seem like a two birds one stone situation.
  • My first thought on seeing the title of the article was, "It's already a three-dimensional structure... damaged, but still 3-d."
    • If they want to model the fucking thing, converting the original drawings to CAD would be the place to start...

  • lots and lots of film in 3D, James Cameron needs a new private island

  • Wasn't this (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward

    done back in 1996 for an INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA CD-ROM TITLE where you can dive into the titanic virtually with your Pentium(R) Processor enhanced for Windows 95?

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • Dear 3D:

    Fame here, your 15 minutes is up. Please stop cluttering our theatres with lame attempts at making things look real. If the audience want's real, they'd be out hiking, walking, boating, sailing, soaring, etc - not watching the mind numbing crap the movie companies produce.

    So stop it - no really, stop it NOW.

    Thanks,

    F

    • by pspahn ( 1175617 )

      If the audience want's real, they'd be out hiking, walking, boating, sailing, soaring, etc - not watching the mind numbing crap the movie companies produce.

      Do you genuinely believe this? I'd be curious to compare the revenue of the top 25 movies of 2009 with the revenue of the National Park Service. Heck, maybe you're right, but somehow I think people would prefer to sit in front a picture.

      That's all they do when the go to National Parks anyway, they take pictures. They stop up traffic on the highway so they can chase down a bear and get a photo to look at later. Or they pile in by the thousands to watch Old Faithful erupt for a few mintues. When I was in Yos

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by zippthorne ( 748122 )

      Dear boring luddite:

      3D "video" is a legitimate artistic medium similar to and basically superset of 2D video, just as color video is a superset of black-and-white video, with its inherent tradeoffs. When we get past the 3D spectacles of unnecessary eye-pokery, there will be a rich medium for enhancing the experience of many kinds of films. Just as color films eventually surpassed black-and-white after it got over its own silly spectacle period (see: "The Wizard o

  • Already been done (Score:2, Informative)

    by chardson ( 1865338 )
    My old boss already did something like this! http://robots.engin.umich.edu/Projects/VAN [umich.edu]
  • Google Titanic (Score:3, Interesting)

    by kiehlster ( 844523 ) on Wednesday July 28, 2010 @07:41AM (#33055016) Homepage
    I can't wait to see this on Google Street View or something like that.

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