Cruise Mentality: Australian to Build Titanic Replica

In the latest news from the world's other hemisphere, an Australian mining mogul has confirmed plans to build an actual replica of the Titanic.  Creatively named Titanic II, the boat will boast the exact same dimensions as the original Titanic, right down to the vessel's four iconic smokestacks (which will be only for decoration).  In addition to "the latest navigation and safety systems," per Mr. Clive Palmer, the project's benefactor, the boat will also retain many of the other luxury amenities, such as gymnasiums, swimming pools, and lush dining and gathering areas, that made the ill-fated steamer a legend in its own time.  At least this one won't have to worry about icebergs.

In all seriousness, though, as someone who nerded out hardcore on Titanic children's history books when I was a kid, I couldn't be any more excited about this... and I'm hopeful that the boat's 2016 launch date will allow me to save my pennies accordingly, if not for the first voyage.  God I'm on fire today. 

What's more interesting, though, is that while the original Titanic was unprecedented in terms of both its size and its frills, it's offspring, or whatever we should call this, will be competing with those behemoth upmarket cruise ships that are bigger and can offer more space and amenities.  This is not to insult the experience offered by luxury cruiseliners; as a former Carnival patron myself, I can attest that many of these cruises do their best to accurately reflect the famous Hooters tag: "Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined."  Still, rather than standing at the cutting edge of transportation and innovation, the new boat will be more of a novelty act. 

An interesting turnabout, but in an age where sports teams wear throwback jerseys and young 20-somethings listen to the same music as their parents, I think it's a brilliant move.  Also, is it just me, or has Conflict Revolution been awash in Titanic references recently?  There was no pun originally intended there, but we'll gladly accept it.  Either way, it's clear that this blog has become... unsinkable.  Consider us jinxed. 

["Titanic to sail again?  Australian billionaire vows to build high-tech replica," NY Daily News, 4/30/12]