Underwater exploration...

[Wing Nut]

NOAA vessel to explore undersea unknown

Robert Ballard has been a personal hero of mine for decades.  In fact, the wifey summarily vetoed 'Robert Ballard Ryan' as a name for Alexander...  This guy is most famous for discovering the wreck of the Titanic, but has done so much more, it's hard to list it all here, but his most significant contribution may be having discovered what is possibly the source of life on Earth...

He has also discovered the wrecks of the Bismarck, JFK's PT-109, and about 2 dozen other sunken vessels of historic significance, pioneered the use of ROV's (after nearly dying twice in submersibles) and has been a leader in the education about the undersea world.

In a world where our heroes are sports figures who do drugs, rape women, and torture animals,  and shallow, hollow, spoiled rich kids who contribute NOTHING, this kind of person is a hero you can TRULY look to for inspiration...

I would DEARLY love to meet this guy...

[ozzy72]

One of my heroes since finding the RMS Titanic, I have a number of his books 8-)

[expat]

Most definitely on my list of people I would like to have a chat with over dinner.

Matt

[Chris_F]

Definately a better hero than most (all?) of today's sports stars, but unfortunately my favorite modern hero is still Burt Rutan.

Which I guess is to be expected since this is an Aviation related forum, after all.  :)

[TacitBlue]

Indeed, he is one of my heroes along side Burt Rutan, Chuck Yager, and Bob Hoover.

[beaky]

Let's not forget that Ballard has also always tried to show respect for the world's oceans as an ecosystem, the history of these wrecks and the dignity of what are the underwater tombs of many people lost at sea... I think he's done a great job walking the line between exploitation and exploration.

[Chris_F]

Let's not forget that Ballard has also always tried to show respect for the world's oceans as an ecosystem, the history of these wrecks and the dignity of what are the underwater tombs of many people lost at sea... I think he's done a great job walking the line between exploitation and exploration.

He's also done a good job of leveraging his achievements in the media.  Ruttan hasn't done as well in this area but he's always struck me as the kind of guy who doesn't enjoy the limelight.  Ballard on the other hand seems to either enjoy it or recognizes its value for providing funding.

[Wing Nut]

I would say that's not entirely a bad thing.   Look a Cousteau.  He used the media to educate people about the oceans and provide a means for his research to continue like no one else ever has.  It would be nice to see 'The Undersea World of Robert Ballard' as a TV show...  ;)

[ozzy72]

I'm with Kevin on this, he shows respect but understands the needs of the media to fund his work. He has walked a very fine line superbly. Educating and entertaining in equal measures. He really is an ambassador for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and indeed most of the nautical research world. Alas others have just been in it for the money.
It is a pity we don't have more Bob Ballards in other fields... especially aviation which seems to have lost many of the "greats" recently in the UK especially

[spitfire boy]

I'm with Kevin on this, he shows respect but understands the needs of the media to fund his work. He has walked a very fine line superbly. Educating and entertaining in equal measures. He really is an ambassador for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and indeed most of the nautical research world. Alas others have just been in it for the money.
It is a pity we don't have more Bob Ballards in other fields... especially aviation which seems to have lost many of the "greats" recently in the UK especially

Let's hope there's others willing to take up the challenge - and that is, I think the greats' (as you so aptly put it) greatest legacy; they inspire others to do what they have done.

As for Robert Ballard.... genius. No other word...

[john_uk]

personaly... chuck norris is my hero

[Wing Nut]

He hasn't been with Woods Hole for over a decade...  ;)

[ozzy72]

Sorry Kevin I don't get Discovery in English so I have to rely on the dire Hungarian translations for my information

[Fozzer]

Personaly... Chuck Norris is my hero

...now that's the sort of reply that always has me in peals of laughter... ... ... ...!

...not helpful to the Thread....but always loads of fun, to lighten up my Day... ...!

F....(probably getting told-off again)... ...?

...just found some amazing "stuff" in my Bath... ...!!

P.S. You didn't mention Steven Segal.....he with a thousand arms, and can never die.