[extropy-chat] Law of the Sea Treaty

[Kurt Schoedel]

Hello all,

I am writing about the Law of the Sea Treaty because it was the subject 
of an article in the Sunday morning edition of my local paper. 

For those of you not in the know, the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) is 
analogous to the infamous Moon Treaty, which was handily defeated by 
the now-defunct L-5 Society. The LOST precludes national sovereignty 
claims to the high seas, which is good; but also precludes the 
possibility of politically independent entities being created on the 
high seas, which is bad for our long term interests. The objectionable 
part is Title XI, which provides for a U.N. monopoly on exploitation of 
ocean resources. Although this may seem reasonable, it also 
specifically precludes the formation of politically independent city-
states based on artificial islands, which is definitely not reasonable.

Recent developments in fullerine materials (nanotubes) have lead to the 
serious possibility of a "space elevator" (beanstock). If a material is 
strong enough to build a beanstock, it can certainly be used to create 
artificial islands on the high seas. This would eliminate any technical 
hurtles in the creation of a "Hong Kong"-style city-state on the high 
seas by 2020-2030 timeframe. One does not need much imagination to 
realize the benefit of such a city-state for the advancement of 
transhumanism society.

I am asking all of you (in the U.S.) to write your senator (all 
treaties must be ratified by the Senate, its in the constitution) 
urging him or her not to ratify the LOST.

Reagan refused to accept this treaty on the basis of Title XI for good 
reason. This treaty should not be ratified as long as Title XI is a 
part of it.

Sincerely,

Kurt Schoedel
MetaTechnica