Season 5 of the Seasteading Today Podcast brings a new format as we dive into conversations with industry experts. In our recent episode, we caught up with Ben Silone, the CEO and Co-founder of ArkTide, to discuss the exciting Domestead project. Ben shared valuable insights into why Puerto Rico is an ideal location for a Seastead company and the innovative changes they’ve made to their design. Let’s explore the highlights of our conversation with Ben and learn more about the future of seasteading.
The Domestead Project
Puerto Rico has emerged as a prime location for seasteading ventures due to its favorable regulatory environment and strategic geographical position. Ben Silone emphasized the island’s rich resources and supportive ecosystem for innovative projects like the Domestead. By harnessing the power of seawater minerals, ArkTide aims to revolutionize 3D printing technology and create sustainable structures for future generations.
Why is Puerto Rico an ideal place to start a Seastead company? Puerto Rico offers a unique blend of regulatory incentives, access to resources, and a vibrant community of like-minded innovators. The island’s strategic location in the Caribbean makes it an ideal hub for seasteading projects, allowing companies like ArkTide to thrive and make a positive impact on the local economy and environment.
Evolution of the Design
Initially conceived as a single-family structure, the Domestead project underwent a significant transformation to a 100-meter dome design. Ben Silone shared the inspiration behind this shift and the advantages of the new design. The larger dome allows for increased scalability, efficiency, and versatility in accommodating multiple residents or commercial activities.
Why did they change the design from a single-family structure to a 100-meter dome? The decision to scale up the design to a 100-meter dome was driven by the need for greater flexibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The larger structure offers more space for residents or businesses, enhances structural stability, and minimizes environmental impact, making it a more attractive and viable option for future seasteaders.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
During the Seasteading Today Podcast episode, Ben Silone encouraged seasteaders to join the ArkTide team in Puerto Rico to contribute to the build and promotion of the Domestead platform. By fostering a sense of community, collaboration, and shared vision, ArkTide aims to create a vibrant ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs, and advocates for seasteading. Ben’s vision is to empower a group of 10 individuals to become owners of their platform and actively participate in shaping the future of seasteading.
Ben invites seasteaders to move to Puerto Rico to help with supervising and publicizing the build of their platform. By engaging with the community and inviting participation from passionate individuals, ArkTide fosters a sense of ownership, pride, and purpose among seasteaders. Through collective effort and collaboration, the Domestead project can realize its full potential and make a lasting impact on the future of seasteading.
Conclusion
The conversation with Ben Silone of ArkTide showcased the passion, innovation, and vision driving the evolution of seasteading projects like the Domestead. By choosing Puerto Rico as their base of operations and embracing a bold new design, ArkTide is at the forefront of sustainable and scalable solutions for seasteading. As we look ahead to a future where seasteading becomes a reality, the collaboration and community engagement fostered by companies like ArkTide will play a crucial role in shaping a more resilient, interconnected, and thriving society.
In conclusion, Ben’s goal is to allow a group of 10 people to be able to buy a platform. By empowering individuals to take ownership of their seasteading future, ArkTide is paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable world on the open sea.