How much would it cost to buy the ocean? - Astrid J. Hsu

Dig into the monetary value of the ocean, from global trade, to tourism, fishing, and more, as Poseidon contemplates selling it.
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Surveying his vast domain, Poseidon considers retirement. What if someone else donned the coral crown so he could spend his immortality harmonizing with whales and cozying up to hydrothermal vents? Poseidon decides he needs to prioritize himself for once. So, he summons his accountant and asks: how much could he sell the ocean for? Astrid J. Hsu conducts a financial analysis of our oceans’ worth.
Lesson by Astrid J. Hsu, directed by Igor Coric, Artrake Studio.
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Kack-Kyun Kim, Michael Braun-Boghos, zjweele13, Anna-Pitschna Kunz, Edla Paniguel, Thomas Mungavan, Jaron Blackburn, Venkat Venkatakrishnan, ReuniteKorea, Aaron Henson, Rohan Gupta, Begum Tutuncu, Brian Richards, Jørgen Østerpart, Tyron Jung, Carsten Tobehn, Katie Dean, Ezgi Yersu, Gerald Onyango, alessandra tasso, Doreen Reynolds-Consolati, Manognya Chakrapani, Ayala Ron, Eunsun Kim, Phyllis Dubrow, Ophelia Gibson Best, Paul Schneider, Joichiro Yamada, Henrique Cassús, Karthik Cherala, Clarence E. Harper Jr., Vignan Velivela, Ana Maria, Exal Enrique Cisneros Tuch, Tejas Dc, Khalifa Alhulail, Martin Stephen, Jose Henrique Leopoldo e Silva, Mandeep Singh, Abhijit Kiran Valluri, Morgan Williams, Devin Harris, Pavel Zalevskiy, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Tim Leistikow, Ka-Hei Law and Hiroshi Uchiyama.

[@misakianimated]

Whoever writes these series really needs a raise! So far the best entertaining way I've been taught about preserving the oceans 🌊

[@bdwon]

The credits are listed at the end of each video. If you want to know who wrote it, look there.

[@HunterHogan]

Actually, the author of each lesson is usually in the video title. Astrid J. Hsu wrote this. Authors are subject matter experts and are often researchers, such as this author.

[@darioadrianz]

Soon to be a sophisticated GPT

[@HunterHogan]

@@darioadrianz "sophisticated GPT" is an oxymoron.

[@MrCoolprax]

I concur

[@Artaimus]

More proof that Hades is the best god of the group.

[@Makaneek5060]

True, and Hades is also the god of wealth so he can afford the ocean no matter what.

[@Mmoraltz]

Hestia has entered the chat but yeah one of those 2

[@brianformica2599]

this instance of Hades absolutely tracks

[@Sigma_Male_Anti_Female]

He is?

[@HandyMan125]

Accountant: hold my c4 bomb

[@SharowbladyeGaymerPorate]

I love that Hades and the accountant were just chill people trying to help Posidon out

[@deinsilverdrac8695]

Since King Triton is Poseidon son's It's 100% possible this accountant is Sebastian or a relative. New headcanon adopted

[@A-Clear_View]

80th like

[@thenerdbeast7375]

So refreshing to see a positive depiction of Hades, as far as Greek Gods go he really was a chill dude.

[@Phaeton667]

Persephone would wholeheartedly disagree...

[@itisALWAYSR.A.]

Just Hades being a bro

[@pierrecurie]

@@Phaeton667 except that

[@thenerdbeast7375]

@@Phaeton667 depends, not every version of the myth is a tale of coercion and given how in many modern interpretations try to vilify Hades to make him "Greek Satan" it may be a modern tale.

[@errorcringyname4044]

​@@Phaeton667or agree considering she chose it in some versions.

[@TwiggyPone3617]

One of the most important, yet least talked about, arguments for conservation is that in many cases it is the better option financially speaking.

[@brandonedwards6119]

Long term though. The people making these decisions know they won't be there for a long time and also know they will be sheltered from their decisions, so they only care about short-term gains.

[@LoganBai-gv5ys]

Long term and also the money would belong to different industries. Fishing industry make less but tourism makes more. Oil makes less but electric makes more. It is often apparent which industry big wigs get to call the shots because as a autocratic government, you would pick the long term investment over the whims of the current industry big wigs.

[@kokoalwadi6096]

Twilight sparkle!

[@TwiggyPone3617]

@@kokoalwadi6096 Yes?

[@kokoalwadi6096]

@@TwiggyPone3617 I like mlp

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

This is actually really entertaining to watch. Whoever does the animation for these should get a raise.

[@Wheat_Thinn]

And the narration! And ESPECIALLY the writing

[@EbrimaGaye-qj2zn]

The animator is Astrid J. Hsu

[@opelvengaming9028]

@@EbrimaGaye-qj2znI’m pretty sure that’s not true

[@Beans_Are_Tasty]

@@EbrimaGaye-qj2znhe is the narrator

[@EbrimaGaye-qj2zn]

I AM NOT THE NARRATOR!! I’m just a kid who likes Ted-Ed

[@NoName-in3sx]

Poseidon: I'm getting tired of ruling the ocean. I want someone to take my place for me. Triton: Hello, Father- Poseidon: Hades, my bro!

[@San-lh8us]

i mean, to be fair, he's known hades for longer than any of his offspring, and when you're a god, i would think that is valued a lot

[@deinsilverdrac8695]

sabastian the Crab, divine accountant and assistant : Let's seal the deal, i don't want to be under Triton order. we all know it didn't worked

[@civilevent21]

I love how Hades stands, unmoving, as the crab explains everything

[@HandyMan125]

How to be a supervillian? Buy the ocean.

[@JK_JK_JK_JK]

🧐

[@thelocalshoop]

Better yet, steal the ocean.

[@infernoshrimp]

Don’t give Elon any ideas

[@BigattckFirecat]

The ocean is just water, the chemicals of water is H2O. You should instead own the water and legally control it. They’ll have to pay royalties and the money you’ll generate will be that beyond the Stock Market or Dark Money within the single day.

[@jgaffney567]

​@@thelocalshoopSo when you mine the ocean or have fishing fleets or collect diamonds of the coast do you consider that stealing the ocean

[@rrchad44]

If Poseidon needs someone to tell his best squid story to, I'll lend an ear. He looked so eager to share it 😆 Cool video!

[@ShawnRavenfire]

In some of the earliest Greek text, it appears that Hades and Poseidon were the same god at one point, but may have gotten split into two as the stories got passed down over several generations.

[@deinsilverdrac8695]

It's more accurate to say that Hades is possibly a deviation of Poseidon which was a god of the earthquakes and vaguely linked to the underworld. he was also the Big boss of the time before Zeus took this role. That's also why he's linked to horse, probably a remnant of that pre hellenistic time before he was demoted to god of the seas.

[@DharcCharmer]

This was absolutely beautiful. I love how they manage to reduce the general monetary value of the world's oceans while also speaking to its unparalleled beauty and true existential value to all life on earth. Well done.

[@Valerio_the_wandering_sprite]

The quick solution would have been abdicating to let his eldest legitimate son, Triton, to inherit the throne. If not, even a flying horse and a one-eyed brute would claim ownership of the ocean.

[@MateusChristopher]

Nah should give it to his favorite son; Percy Jackson

[@rennoc6478]

@@MateusChristopherhe wouldn’t want that

[@sunnydelight7252]

Yes ! Surprise good Hades is always my favorite!

[@johnkeandeleon7821]

Womp womp

[@thenerdbeast7375]

Really is refreshing to see a positive depiction of Hades, at least as far as Greek gods go he was a very chill dude.

[@Minetendo_Fan]

Hades is generally never in the wrong though

[@_XhYrrehS]

This is so sweet but heartbreaking. I wish more could be aware of what our ocean really needs.

[@matthewwriter9539]

0:01 "The ocean doesn't need us, but we absolutely need the ocean." - Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson Fun fact: The ocean would actually do a whole lot better WITHOUT Humans.

[@AJLord]

the wholesome plot twist at the end was nice :)

[@mack-uv6gn]

Interesting way to explain why the ocean is so important.👍

[@shubhamnema8281]

Addison Anderson you have the voice of a God and everyone involved in this video including the educator are very much the same. Loved it

[@Smeck-gq1rj]

I thought it was in bad taste to actually say there name of the Ted Ed narrators

[@thomasalden6263]

Very cool video! I like the idea of god’s having massive companies, I also wish utilizing tidal energy was more widespread

[@zircon256ua]

Tidal energy harvesting is a good idea, but it's relatively new and not the most reliable. I would say it's better than hydroelectric energy, though.

[@attanborney6992]

What a smart way to talk about the importance of the ocean.

[@planktonfun1]

Ted is tricking us into learning things again

[@marcosjuandedios4113]

El video más bonito que he visto de TED-Ed. These videos are raising awareness, I hope this one get to many eyes as possible! Earth and ocean are incredible

[@jamesm1083]

Legends say this is a better story than Auquaman 2

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

We all know what Poseidon would actually do with even more free time chase after even more mortals lol

[@EeveeShadowBacon]

Nah, that's Zeus. Poseidon was actually pretty faithful as far as Greek Gods go.

[@rennoc6478]

@@EeveeShadowBaconcough cough, Demeter

[@junjunjamore7735]

​@@EeveeShadowBacon you're thinking of Hades, Poseidon was equal, if not worse than Zeus in numbers.

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

He was nearly as bad as Zeus in that, but it mostly didnt end tragically, cause you know, no Hera, heck he would even give favors to some of the people. Hades was pretty chill tho@@EeveeShadowBacon

[@dankerbooper741]

@@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369 Medusa would like a word.

[@XavierAway]

I am an ocean, I am the sea, there is a world inside of me!

[@quickSilverXMen]

Wonderful narration. And thank you for bringing this voiceover artist.

[@antoniohan2512]

The ocean doesn't need us, but we absolutely need the ocean.

[@werh227]

This must be the first time Ted Ed has used a myth to frame a science lesson :0 usually they play it straight or use a science fiction question instead

[@DellConagher1]

No

[@josiahhopkinson849]

This is a lovely story of the environmental issues plaguing our oceans today and a lovely solution to our roblems I hoe to see us take on these challenges and make our oceans as invaluable as they are

[@wooper2186]

I love how Hades is just like 😀 for most of the video

[@lenabluejay1166]

This is so sweet! I love seeing accurate depictions of Hades, he's a good person and I can totally see him doing something like this!!

[@ambarishdeshpande8693]

I absolutely love this channel how creatively they give information

[@JurassicTheory]

Poseidon just needs to pass his trident to Percy Jackson. 🔱🌊

[@aapka_Sutradhaar]

This is such an amazing video!! WOW!!

[@lukodaian]

Wonderful explainer

[@Historyfrek4ever]

Hey better quality some thing is when it dies or more value it has accumulated, the more Hades gains when it joins his kingdom. And everyone and everything eventually joins it naturally. He can wait. (He is a cool older brother though.) Cool video.

[@mecahhannah]

Awesome as always thanks

[@gailaltschwager7377]

Thank you!

[@SilverSwordCreative]

Wasn’t expecting it, but this was an amazing analysis of what that much water really means 😊

[@deerh2o]

I'm an enrolled agent, and I love the accountant character!

[@ShowYamato1]

Great work, Hades and Mr.Crabs

[@jameslongstaff2762]

This reminds me of the story Kafka tells about Poseidon who can't go anywhere because he's busy doing paperwork

[@user-mf6cf1qc5j]

You know it’s a good day when they post a new riddle

[@nhuphamthiquynh6335]

Amazing talks❤ I love it

[@trueordrue]

Priceless

[@saurabhjadhav4481]

Oceans are Invaluable!

[@jl9088]

We need to help the world, we need to work together regardless of identity, looks, etc. What truly matters is to work towards a safe world, ocean acidification is worsening and is likely to destroy many species that we need to survive. Global warming is not doing great either. We must work together in order to create a more peaceful world.

[@IDMYM8]

This put tears on my eyes 😢

[@TheBraop]

I have watched so many videos here, well this one stands out ❤❤❤

[@Dashbr0]

"Tell em to bring out the whole ocean!" -DJ Khaled

[@nikacomedawn]

Posideon was the god of the underworld and earthquakes in Mycanean Greece. Being the god of the ocean was a minor part of his domain and characterization. He was also in charge, not Zeus (who was a much smaller god), and Hades didn't exist.

[@elitettelbach4247]

This was really neat! Well written and animated.

[@BakaDaOwera]

DAAAMMMNNNN THE END LEFT ME TEARS OF JOY!!!!!!!!

[@sanhitaguin9683]

I want to join this team and just be in the same room as the people who make these videos. This was beautiful ❤️

[@PB_guy_]

OMG this is the most creative way to deliver a message 😂 I am so inspired

[@user-eq2dx2jp6v]

Thank uuuuuu all❤❤❤❤

[@SolracFS]

What a beautiful video!

[@rixmean9448]

Always had this question myself

[@macmedia1000]

Please could you do more History vs. I am always impressed with your work.

[@datcatcatcat]

I thought this was a riddle video and was like, "Wow, this is a long one!"

[@chem7553]

Poseidon: "Only a quarter of the earth's annual revenue? I'm taking my ocean to another planet, until you guys stop trying to lowball me!!"

[@Goldenzeno]

Fun fact it would cost roughly 5 quadrillion or 5.000.000.000.000.000 dollars

[@mid-sizesedan488]

This might be my favorite Ted Ed video

[@YouMeIGaming]

A simply amazing video. ❤

[@ohdamnman]

Hades is the best big brother you can get

[@djratnam]

Kudos to the scriptwriter 😊

[@MrsJudithWright]

Yes, the invisible person is often the scriptwriter

[@armaan_7]

Great video!

[@rickspamer8287]

What an amazing and eye-opening video!

[@muhammadislam578]

wholesome ending ngl

[@drishtikonbyajaykumar5310]

Accountant is a smart crab. 😊 And hades is not so bad after all

[@kylecheng3710]

i morally disagree with tedtalk on many things, but i have to give it to you, this was a really cool analogy.

[@Izy_pop]

Phenomenal work as always. I would like to hear that squid story.

[@mallickpriyanshu]

Ted Ed is one of the best story tellers in the world 🎉❤

[@glengal6490]

Great Content as always

[@parkerarmes1417]

what’s the quadratic formula

[@jitulhussain7902]

X = (-b±sqrt(b² - 4ac))/2a

[@TigruArdavi]

this here is more about the aquatic formula🤷‍♂

[@chukstristan3605]

This was so beautiful 🥹❤

[@d4n737]

I was about to say that in order for something like the ocean to be "Sold" it needs to be "Owned" by someone who sells it. Countries have "Sea space", sure, but that's more of a legal concept for the sake of removing border disputes. The ocean doesn't really "Belong" to anyone, like the moon. But in this example, Poseidon is the one who owns the entire ocean space, so... no problem. The issue THEN is that humanity's trade and mining operations are not Posidon's property. He is the owner of the space that is the ocean, that humans are using and exploiting for their benefit (Though I presume that this is allowed and humans are Poseidon's "Customers" in a way) Edit: Also there's the little thing that the ocean is way to big and important to be a bought and sold commodity. There are things like this, like the planet itself, the moon, sun, etc. that nobody has enough money to buy, and nobody can reasonably sell to anyone else. Thus, if anyone WERE to own the ocean, like, say, the god of the seas, he would most likely appoint a successor... Like Triton

[@Iamrightyouarewrong]

Depends on the currency

[@uplink-on-yt]

Dear Poseidon. When you're immortal, you do not sell your possessions. You delegate your responsibilities if you want to take a break. You hire managers ☺️

[@teainnit27]

That's without mentioning the 20 million tons of gold in the ocean

[@MyLifeAtProvince]

That is one heck of a great twist at the end.

[@yasserelarabi5426]

This episode is next fricking level

[@colemccomas7547]

Nice reveal, Hades is such a bro for real.

[@barnabusowl4252]

"Reducing such a priceless, generously life-giving, natural system to number" Does anyone know of an existing term describing this phenomenon? I've thought about it before, and came up with "unpoetic quantification."

[@user-jh2nm7fb3v]

we are all Poseidons' in ourselves.. and its our duty to take care of our oceans

[@kevinbetter]

That was a roller coaster of facts and emotions

[@CordaroBlu]

Respect on my boy Hades. Love it

[@darrennew8211]

The problem with an analysis of this is that the ocean really only has that value because it isn't owned. Ownership implies (or more specifically is defined as) the ability to exclude others from using it. As soon as you start charging reasonable amounts for shipping, the shipping will go down. And so on.

[@valentinmitterbauer4196]

Odd, you just described the suez and panama canals. Have you informed them yet, that they are actually of no value?

[@darrennew8211]

@@valentinmitterbauer4196 A canal is not an ocean. Yes, you can monetize parts of it that are particularly useful, like harbors. But why would "this is what the ocean is worth" be any more rational than saying "this is what the atmosphere is worth"? All you can do is analyze how much money people make by using the ocean, which isn't anything at all the same as "this is how much the ocean is worth."

[@LucyJordan84]

Important facts very well told.

[@user-eq2dx2jp6v]

In audiobook office there's a dear person so similar to you dear adisson, the voice 😁

[@user-eq2dx2jp6v]

Hmmm...dear Addison Anderson 🤣🤣🤣😁😁 i saw the names good thank you all ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@leakahoshi5049]

Hades literally did not do anything except coming to the valuation meeting and smiling, yet claim 50% of his brother intervention effort. My dude is living the easy way.

[@dumpling1263]

What about the cost of owning the sea? The damage it also does such as tsunamis?

[@carltonleboss]

Very cool video.

[@mutabazimichael8404]

Wow ,this was excellent

[@siddhantjain4461]

And when you realise these are just the resources humans are currently able to use. Which imo isn't even close if we can fully utilise every drop of water in that ocean.

[@Thebrooky12]

This was a lovely video

[@sokolowski1986]

Well done Hades - to those who watched to the end :)

[@SirSomeguy]

Fun Fact: Hades is not only the God of the Underworld, but he is also the god of everything underground as well, including precious gemstones and minerals. This gives him the additional domain of “God of Riches” in addition to his death duties. In fact, Pluto, his Roman equivalent, literally means “The Rich One”. Thus, it is perfectly within reason that he’s friends with the accountant and fully capable of paying several Trillions in dollars.