Bill Stone: Journey to the center of the Earth ... and beyond!

[codename22111991]

Am I the only one who thinks he looks like Mark Zuckerberg actor from Social Network :P

[gasdive]

Rotating momentum exchange tethers seem like a much better way to get from Low Earth Orbit to the lunar surface and back. Check it out on wikipedia. No need for "disney beating" rides through the stratosphere. Just gentle acceleration. No propellant used.

[kenatlaw]

The book about Bill Stone, Blind Descent, is a great read. I could not put it down. Highly recommend it; it gives a lot of insight into Bill Stone's personality. He is one hell of a man.

[alexhamster1134]

for fucks sake, stop making the intro so fucking loud!

[Apvatar3000]

He could easily raise a trillian dollars..if he formed a company and sold shares, to the entire global audience, and I am sure many millions will buy it for their "future generations" as they will not expect the profits to be start rolling in as quickly.Hence,I wonder what is he waiting for for launching "his space exploration company"?

[kenatlaw]

This man is incredible.

[dylanlawless1]

This is a fucking TEDtalk

[gukonni]

And you know, despite how badly the news is about the wars, we need our military too. They didn't start the wars, they were ordered to fight them. Sure, we don't all agree with everything. That will never happen. But we still need all of it because this is what being human means. There just needs to be enough people and a movement is started. It doesn't require that all people on earth support Bill Stone's take on life. Only enough are needed so that these kind of visions can be made real.

[gukonni]

We need people to care for the earth. We need people to care for other people. We need people to explore the unknown. We need people to tell stories and serve as inspiration. We need people to understand the minute processes of our universe.

We need all of these people. We need Bill Stone too.

[gukonni]

I think it will cost more than 20 billion, but keep in mind that the pentagon is receiving over 500 billion every single year and that the wars have costed us over a trillion so far. Bad congressional moves and irresponsible financial workers have further wasted our economy, leading to 100's more billions lost. I hate to say it, but these problems will never go away. Humans will expand into space and our quality of life will steadily get better as it always has.

[gukonni]

I think people are failing to see how this would further scientific advancement. He estimates 20 billion. 20 billion is not that much money. It doesn't matter what the peace loving environmentalists think. If enough people can produce 20 billion than we can try this. It doesn't require the whole world anymore. The cost will continue to go down until some bold investors go for it. This WILL happen!!

It's just a matter of time, and not much time either.

[andyrooney12]

Humanity will only make progress if we continue to be fortunate to have people like this man in our species to push the envelope of what's possible.

[chrislj2005]

Carl Sagan, after years of looking out at space, admitted we needed to do something to protect Earth; we have paid little attention to that. We are governed by morons, engaged in petty acts of violence and money, unable to see a more global, greater picture.Stone has balls, creativity and intelligence and we need people like him and Branson because we will have no choice but to leave Earth one day.BUT we shouldn`t throw in the towel on Earth , we need to be smarter here, now, as this is HOME.

[Raxarax]

Go there, why? What for? Mr. Overconfidence here needs to have reasons why he's doing the things he's doing. How about we finish exploring earth first before sending billions of dollars into space.

[gavinplaysbass]

@Raxarax

Human beings need to expand into space in order to guarantee our continued existence. Even if we were to master ecologically viable technology it would not prevent the eventual inhabitability of the planet due to other factors. The moon is an excellent launching pad for that because, as he argues here, there is the presence of an enormous fuel source as well as low gravity and no atmosphere which combine to make a far easier object to get spacecraft off of than the earth.

[Raxarax]

@gavinplaysbass  Ah, and where in space are you going to expand to?

[gavinplaysbass]

@Raxarax

Mars, Titan... potentially nearby earth-like exoplanets if we ever build the propulsion systems that can get us to those places in less than hundreds or thousands of years.

Having a more practical means by which to explore space will increase our chances of finding a place to go at any rate. Even if you completely disagree with the above reasoning, it would at least make research far easier.

[Raxarax]

@gavinplaysbass So, we're going to colonize titan and/or mars? Are we going to terra-form mars? Because right now that's looking pretty much impossible. Or are you thinking we'll build enormous shielded cities? Keep up with the rocket development, but we can better spend that money here on earth to increase the technology and efficiency of solar panels, solve issues with genetic engineering, or to bring education to people who live in the equivalent of an American landfill.

[gavinplaysbass]

@Raxarax

Those are all things i agree are extremely important. But i don't think its all or nothing. Maybe mining in space would alleviate some of the environmental footprint we make mining on earth, or other similar possibilities. This is one way to improve the human condition that i personally think seems just as worthwhile as the ones you mentioned. I wouldn't want to see problems on earth ignored in lieu of space exploration any more than i would want to see the opposite.

[Raxarax]

@gavinplaysbass Space mining? Mine what? H3 on the moon? There's nothing to do out there that cant be done with robotics in the next 10-20 years. Hell, there's nothing to be done out there that we cant do with robotics now. There's simply no need to send people into space at this point in time, and there's nowhere to send them.

[gavinplaysbass]

@Raxarax

I was thinking we could mine rare minerals that are plentiful in space that are more destructive to access here. There are billions of asteroids potentially laced with rare minerals the destruction of which would essentially be neither here nor there. Getting the material back to earth efficiently is something i don't have an answer for. You definitely have a persuasive point with regards to using robotics though.

[kenatlaw]

@gavinplaysbass Just cost prohibitive. There are at least a TRILLION dollars worth of rare minerals in Afghanistan, but how does one mine in that hostile environment?

[Memington]

Just look out for Creepers down there...

[bakilacat]

we are so lucky to have people like Bill, the Ukrainian... the drive, dedication, sacrifice...am almost done with Blind Descent. Hopefully explorers will be able to 'win out' over the greed of governments and get on the road for developing the fruits of these explorations for the good of humankind.

[Excellence337]

just curious...because I dont know much about the resources on the moon and etc...but what happens when the resources on the moon are used up? and how will that affect Earth? will "changing" the moon's structure also change the earth in some way ? (i.e. moonlight changes due to resource depletion?) serious question, not looking for insults...I am inquisitive...correct me, school me...etc...thanks

[circusboy90210]

@Excellence337 what hundreds of thousands of years from now when other technologies have replaced what we have now and resources have renewed themselves?? the universe is the ultimate perpetual motion machine to think that us little bugs can use all our resources in a few lifetimes is ludicrous @ best.

[Solarcoreg]

Reading the book Blind Descent right now. Simply amazing. I am in complete awe.

[S2Cents]

One of the best talks.

[saminthehat]

He looks like Frank Zappa.

[phoenixangel1120]

at 3:43 pause; look at right picture and all the way back...what the heck is that white creature at the back

[zallaaa]

Buffett has money he's willing to spend!

[HQSponsorVideos]

hahaha that commercial in the end is so taken in Iceland

[Palegoat]

bill stone's awesome!!

[takigan]

Terminal Siphon is a badass name for a band!....just sayin'

[Dunedan2]

Anyone know where to volunteer for his underground explorations?

[robotpanda77]

I could buy that water exists under the ice on Europa, but life? With a metallic core that doesn't produce any heat, it must be pretty cold even with the heat Jupiter produces.

[steeg1234321]

@robotpanda77 Just because life as we know it can't survive in that kind of extreme cold doesn't mean that life couldn't adapt to live in those environments. Life has developed in some of the most remote and unfriendly places on Earth (go look up giant tube worms, they grow on the bottom of the ocean.)

[robotpanda77]

Life without photosynthesis to support it or its food source and no heat? Unless the life forms we are talking about are transformer robots, I don't think any life could exist in those conditions.

[dryan22]

Yup, remote and unfriendly... sulphuric acid even... but still earth.

[per50n]

@robotpanda77:

You would be right if what you said was true. However, it is widely accepted that tidal flexing heats the core of Europa, which causes the presence of liquid water.

It would be very cold anywhere near the surface, however, such a scenario would very likely result in geothermal vents on the bottom and lifeforms on Earth have already shown that these can be surrounded by a plethora of life completely unreliant of sunlight.

[luc59457]

He doesn't talk much about extracting the hydrogen isotope from the moon, the expense and time involved.. I think we can do better.. Perhaps, Our deep space launches could be initialize on the moon.. but using the hydrogen their, this could be something that may take decades just to lift-off

[scyurick]

The entire last third of this makes me cheer for the human race and it's possibilities. If I get to die on the moon with a (metaphorical) shovel in my hand alongside this guy, I think that I'd be more than satisfied with the adventure I'd been lucky enough to take part in.

[Za7a7aZ]

It is so stupid to see governments planning wars,billions and triljons of dollars being invested in machines that can kill people more efficient as the machine before and so on.Why can governments not leave other nations in peace and respect their way of living?Let them do as Bill Stone does.Use those brilliant scientist and money for exploring space,oceans,Earth and finding ways to help poverty and other problems that need to be solved for a better world. Who wants war besides the greedy scum?

[strecher777]

@Za7a7aZ because there is no profit there

[JefgoforPez]

@Za7a7aZ yea like that show future weapons. youre favorite bald gijoe

[circusboy90210]

@Za7a7aZ people who want their nation not to starve are always looking for more resources . this probably is the basis of tribal conflict which escalates into larger conflicts , not just "greed". don't be so brainwashed 7 think for yourself on occasion.

[errindon]

@Za7a7aZ Another oil/fuel leak? Unfortunately this is how we progress.

[Za7a7aZ]

What about the Hollow Earth theory? This guy should have been close to find this utopia.

[DROPSOF198]

HAHAHA yeah I was thinking that too .

[Chronosaur]

Very inspiring talk. Plus his head's too small for his body.

[erikhobag]

Since you "Know" that we are looking in the wrong direction point us in the right one. If you can't, how do you know we are looking in the wrong one? Also, you couldn't carve a stone with the hard end of the feather either.

[ashtray45]

keep tellin' stories, Jack.

[wallacegrommit]

did he die?

[rmessenger]

wow

[Gnometower]

Awesome stuff. The shift from describing caverns on earth to "I WANT TO LEAD THIS MISSION!" came a bit abrupt tho

[sgabriel]

"I intend to plan..." were, I believe, his words.

[donnie2164]

Great stuff. I kinda thout when he was going down the list I would here the 0 gravity afect on humans. guess its no big deal.

[fiddlercrab3]

@ donnie2164: Despite the negative flags, this is a very good point. I thought the same thing. My guess is that artificial gravity technology can compensate effectively. Currently that technology does not exist (as far as I know), but sufficient monetary incentive could drive a technological revolution there.

[Konig22]

Epic.

[mk2389]

Epic.

[StevoDog21]

Where is there anything on the '08 J2 expedition?

[mavica130]

Dr. Bill Stone (CEO, Stone Aerospace) is recognized as a world authority on expeditionary exploration and advanced technology development with more than 120 engineering publications and 11 patents. In addition to the Cis-Lunar project, he currently leads the development team for the NASA Europa lander third stage prototype known as DEPTHX a fully autonomous underwater vehicle designed to explore the sub-ice world of Europa and to search for the first microbial life detected off Earth.

[EnzoM3]

Bill Stone always have big ideas but his execution sometimes is lacking. I know some of the people that were part of the Huautla expedition and they were scared death of things he did, lack of safety, etc. His Wakula work didn't help him either, massive amount of equipment and man power that didn't go very far.

He is a heck of a gutsy caver though. Too gutsy for most's taste.

[Hottides]

How does one apply to be part of Stone's expeditions?

[antifolkhero]

Awesome video and beautiful vision. Where do I sign up?

[chris7777777777777]

No, where do I sign up? I saw this video first. this is the third time i've watched it. If anyone is signing anything its me!! j/k

[Omega7adam]

"Bill Stone" and the dreamers like him are the ones that give me hope, that my children will live in a future ,beyond anything we've could ever imagine "God speed to the future" and Bill Stone.

[elminz]

Wow, that guy has some big ideas. However, I think we have to refine the technology here on earth first. Like maturing fusion technology.

[fiddlercrab3]

"If you wait until you are ready, you never will be."

[johntheechidna1]

I have to say...this guy's got balls to the max...

[alexhamster1134]

@johntheechidna1 this guy looks so angry, wouldnt wanna argue with him, otherwise he would knock me out.

[missquo]

Go Bill.  You are truly the bravest and most ambitious man I have ever met.

[roeliox]

we can do wathever we want, we are the chosen ones

[simonpjhall]

I can only assume that this is a joke. If not...I'm nodding my head in absolute disbelief.

[Omega7adam]

In the 60's cell-phone were call tricoders on a tv show name Star-Trek ,look now absolute disbelief .

[Omega7adam]

The world will never end, look at how vast the universe is ,God made so we can explore and live among the stars.

[aaronz101]

Yes it will- the sun is destined to expand then explode, and the universe is always surging outward and dissipating all existing energy.

No matter what, it will end eventually.

[fiddlercrab3]

Not to be a douche, but what about Stephen Hawking's theory that time is actually reversed, and that eventually we'll implode back to the Big Bang? I believe it's in his book "A Brief History of Time."

[Depotmaster]

No it doesn't make any significant change in the weight, what a question. It creates a new industry, and a new orbit resource market.

[marianopicco]

I wonder if we start mining the moon, will it change its weight significally? cos we know that earth rotates as it does cos of the gravitational dance it has with the moon... if the moon changes its mass we could have bad effects down here...

[tigno323]

AWSUM!!!! ill jus do there to that fake ringtone site.wow look at me waste time and bandwith!

[Depotmaster]

I would do everything to take part in such a journey. But I bet 10.000 people would like to do as well. He should write: "financiers wanted" instead. Maybe he should try to use the stock exchange. Speculators always shot their money out for freaky new projects.

[jjuup]

Well show a PayPal account and I will give him one euro. If everyone gives him that he will have 6.74 billion euros. He is doing it for everyone.

[halidom]

Typical there may be life under the ice so lets burn through the ice and kill some of it so we can study it. Highly implausible but what if it doesn't want to be studied??

[fiddlercrab3]

Actually, this is a serious concern that's been a primary factor in delays. There is the inherent risk of contaminating Europa with bacteria transported by the spacecraft! "Oh look, we found life" could give rise to "Oh look, we transplanted life, and accidentally wiped out anything that was there previously." Not insurmountable, but a high-priority issue.

[Budguy68]

wow, why would anyone want to work on going to space. There is nothign up there. Working for everyone to go to heaven would be much better.

[lukecloser]

Yes thats right - you can just stay behind with all the rest of the "god will provide" retards......and burn up when the sun burns out.

[sherpppa]

easy, easy.. Stone is one on the best cavers in the world

[particle409]

theboy01,

Who cares? The Moon has no atmosphere to ruin. There's no life to destroy. It's just a rock. A fairly large one, but that's it.

[DingarooEducational]

Now, That's commitment! 7 years to a moon fueling station, and he will only be able to return if he gets the job done! a big wow from Dingaroo Press!

[ElPeejerino]

He's enthusiastic. I'll give him that.

[hihaphop]

Now, I find hard to believe men actually went to moon and came back 36 years ago! WTF! let s go!

[arewethereyet]

very inspiring

[orinocojones]

Why not send a robot first to test that it is actually a usable fuel and not some kind of weird pool-life? : )

Brave guy...

[fjafjan]

Yeah yeah space

[1joecool1]

Awesome!!! thanks for sharing these videos;-)

[amjPeace]

If life is found on Europa, it won't be "alien", we would be the aliens there! Keep smilin',

[daniel246]

is there less oxegen

[DrRandale]

Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

[sacapiloa]

just do it

[lordmetroid]

Part of history and vast amount of profits to collect.

Ka-CHING!

[AtheistAtLARGE]

Lets do it