The Bright Side: Underwater robot live stream mesmerizes Argentines

Authors: FRANCE 24, FRANCE 24

Publisher:

France 24

Published: 8/3/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Wednesday, August 06th.

Mask

I'm Mask, we are here to discuss The Bright Side: Underwater robot live stream mesmerizes Argentines.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. It’s a wonderful story. A robot named SuBastian is exploring the Mar del Plata canyon, nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Atlantic, and streaming it live. The public in Argentina is absolutely captivated by the images of vibrant, never-before-seen corals and fish.

Mask

It's not just captivated, it's engaged. This is disruptive science communication. They bypassed traditional media gatekeepers and went straight to the user on YouTube. When scientists asked, "Do we want it?" about a specimen, the public chat exploded with "Yes, we want it!" That’s real-time market validation.

Tom Banks

Exactly! It becomes a shared journey. They even nicknamed creatures, calling a king crab "Drag Queen." And a particular starfish with two bumps went viral, being compared to Patrick Star from SpongeBob. Suddenly, marine biology is a trending topic, which is just fantastic to see.

Mask

The "Patrick is Argentine" meme is proof of concept. You can't buy that kind of engagement. It demonstrates a massive, untapped audience for raw, unfiltered scientific discovery. This isn't a polished documentary; it's a live, unpredictable expedition, and the public is eating it up. It’s a lesson for every research institution.

Tom Banks

And the institution behind many of these scientists, CONICET, has a rich history. It’s Argentina's national scientific and technical research council, founded back in 1958. Its first president was a Nobel Prize winner, Bernardo Houssay, who set a vision for it as a cornerstone of national progress.

Mask

A noble legacy, but legacy systems are vulnerable. It was designed as an 'autarchic' entity, independent, to foster research and train top-tier minds. In theory, that insulates it from political whims, but as we're seeing, a government can just turn off the financial tap. Its structure didn't account for a "chainsaw."

Tom Banks

That’s true, but for over sixty years, it has been the most important asset for science in the country. It funds everything from doctoral studies to major research projects, acting as the primary engine for discovery and providing critical advice to both the government and private sectors. It's the heart of their scientific community.

Mask

An engine needs fuel. Being a national asset is great, but its value must be constantly demonstrated. For decades, its audience was grant committees and government officials. This live stream has given it a new, massive audience: the people. That's a powerful shift in who it answers to.

Tom Banks

And it’s happening at such a critical time. This brings us to the central conflict of the story. The current government in Argentina, under President Javier Milei, has a radical austerity plan. He's taken a "chainsaw," as he calls it, to public spending, and that includes science.

Tom Banks

The funding for CONICET has been slashed dramatically. Researchers are seeing their salaries plummet, and there's a real fear of a scientific exodus from the country. It's a direct threat to the very existence of the work we're admiring on this live stream. It’s a tragic contradiction.

Mask

It's a high-stakes stress test. While I don't advocate for gutting research, extreme pressure forces innovation. Milei dismisses some science as propaganda. The best rebuttal isn't an academic paper; it's a million daily viewers. This expedition is inadvertently making an undeniable case for its own existence.

Tom Banks

But at what cost, though? You can't run labs or build deep-sea robots on public goodwill alone. The scientists are in a very complicated position, as one biologist said. This success is happening against a backdrop of immense financial and professional uncertainty. It’s a difficult battle to fight.

Tom Banks

That's why one scientist called this live stream "a beacon of light." In a dark time for Argentine science, this broadcast has made the work tangible and essential to hundreds of thousands of people. The chat is flooded with messages of support, like "Long live Conicet!" It’s a beautiful, spontaneous display of public solidarity.

Mask

It’s more than solidarity; it’s leverage. This isn't just a feel-good story; it’s a market signal. Argentina is a player in the projected $2.5 billion deep-sea exploration market. This expedition proves they have the talent and public support. This isn't just about saving science; it's about capitalizing on a growth industry.

Tom Banks

I see your point. It's making science part of everyday life, not something distant. The expedition leader, Daniel Lauretta, said it perfectly. By letting people see what they're seeing in real-time, it removes the walls around the lab. That accessibility builds a powerful connection and a constituency for research.

Tom Banks

And this expedition is truly foundational. It's the first time anyone has seen this part of the ocean. The work being done by Dr. Lauretta's team, with support from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, will be critical for all future research, conservation, and resource management in that region. It’s a legacy in the making.

Mask

The future is about scaling this. They've discovered new species and vast coral gardens. The next step is to leverage these discoveries. This shouldn't be a one-time viral hit. It should be the new model for how state-funded science proves its ROI directly to its shareholders—the taxpayers.

Tom Banks

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod. See you tomorrow.

## Underwater Robot Live Stream Mesmerizes Argentines, Highlighting Scientific Discovery and Funding Challenges **News Title:** The Bright Side: Underwater robot live stream mesmerizes Argentines **Report Provider:** France 24 (with AFP) **Date of Publication:** August 3, 2025 **Relevant News Identifiers:** URL: `https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20250803-the-bright-side-underwater-robot-live-stream-mesmerizes-argentines` --- ### Overview An Argentine-American scientific mission is captivating the public through a live YouTube stream of an underwater robot exploring the Mar del Plata canyon in the South Atlantic. The expedition, named "Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon," is providing unprecedented real-time insights into previously unseen marine life and underwater landscapes. While the public is enthralled, the mission also highlights significant funding challenges faced by Argentina's scientific research sector. --- ### Key Findings and Discoveries * **Exploration of Mar del Plata Canyon:** The mission is the first to explore the Mar del Plata canyon, a submarine gorge plunging nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) deep off the coast of Mar del Plata, Argentina. * **Vibrant and Unseen Marine Life:** The robot, named SuBastian, is transmitting images of vibrant coral and fish never seen before in this region. Scientists have observed cold-water corals with colors comparable to those in the Caribbean, even at depths of 3,000 meters. * **Unique Underwater Ecosystem:** The confluence of the cold, nutrient-rich Malvinas current and the warm, salty Brazil current creates an "energetic region" teeming with marine wildlife and flora, described as an "underwater oasis." * **Public Engagement:** The live stream has achieved remarkable public engagement, exceeding one million views per day since Thursday, August 1, 2025, and is also being broadcast on television. The interactive nature of the stream, with scientists explaining discoveries and viewers influencing sample collection, has made science accessible and engaging. * **Notable Sightings and Nicknames:** * A "weird-looking, little white animal" was collected for study after overwhelming public demand in the live chat. * An orange starfish with two symmetrical bumps resembling buttocks gained significant attention, prompting comparisons to the character Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants, making marine biology a trending topic on social media. * Other creatures were affectionately nicknamed, including a king crab dubbed "Drag Queen" and a sea cucumber called "Sweet Potato." --- ### Key Statistics and Metrics * **Depth of Exploration:** The Mar del Plata canyon plunges nearly **4,000 meters (13,000 feet)** deep. * **Robot's Descent Capability:** The SuBastian robot can descend to a depth of **4,500 meters (14,700 feet)**. * **Expedition Duration:** The expedition is a **20-day** mission. * **Team Size:** The expedition involves **25 scientists**, predominantly from Argentina's research agency CONICET. * **Live Stream Views:** The live stream exceeded **one million views per day** since Thursday, August 1, 2025. --- ### Important Recommendations * While not explicitly stated as recommendations, the success of the live stream underscores the value of public outreach and accessible science communication. --- ### Significant Trends or Changes * **Democratization of Science:** The live stream is fostering a trend where science is becoming less distant and more integrated into everyday life, allowing the public direct access to scientific exploration. * **Public Fascination with Marine Biology:** The overwhelming public response indicates a growing interest and fascination with marine biology and deep-sea exploration. --- ### Notable Risks or Concerns * **Funding Threats to Scientific Research:** A significant concern raised is the threat to funding for such scientific expeditions in Argentina. * **CONICET's Underfunding:** CONICET, Argentina's government scientific research arm, is facing severe underfunding under President Javier Milei's administration. * **Budget Cuts:** The budget for CONICET fell by **21 percent** last year. * **Salary Reductions:** Salaries for scientists have plummeted by **35 percent** since President Milei took office in December 2023. * **Exodus of Scientists:** These cuts have led to an exodus of scientists from the country. * **"Beacon of Light" Amidst Difficulties:** The popular broadcast is seen as a "beacon of light" amidst a "very difficult time" for science in Argentina, both financially and in terms of support and human resources. --- ### Material Financial Data * **CONICET Budget Reduction:** **21%** decrease in budget last year. * **CONICET Salary Reduction:** **35%** decrease in salaries since December 2023. --- ### Expedition Details * **Mission Name:** "Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon" * **Lead Organization:** Part of the GEMPA deep sea study group, with support from the US Schmidt Ocean Institute. * **Ship:** Schmidt Ocean Institute's "Falkor (too)" * **Robot:** SuBastian underwater robot * **End Date:** August 10, 2025 * **Key Personnel:** Expedition leader Daniel Lauretta, marine biologist and painter Pablo Penchaszadeh.

Read original at France 24 →

A robot explores the dark, cold, deep sea floor of the South Atlantic, transmitting images of vibrant coral and fish never seen before as scientists give live commentary via YouTube. And Argentines can't get enough of it. The Argentine-American scientific mission is for the first time exploring the Mar del Plata canyon, a submarine gorge which plunges nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) deep, off the coast of the seaside resort of the same name.

The awed conversations between scientists leading the expedition and the explanations they give to viewers allow the public a rare insight into the hidden wonders of marine biology. In one instance, the camera on the SuBastian underwater robot shows a weird-looking, little white animal. One of the scientists on the team can be heard asking her colleagues, "Do we want it?"

To display this content from , you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement."Yes, yes, we want it!" reply dozens of messages in the live stream chat before the image shows the suction device being activated to suck up the specimen for study. "Oh, I love these little creatures," says one user.

"I'm obsessed!" comments another. "Don't take the little one away!" pleads a third. The live stream began a week ago and exceeded one million views per day since Thursday, when it also began to be broadcast on television. "There are cold-water corals with the same colors as those in the Caribbean. How can that be?

At a depth of 3,000 meters!" Pablo Penchaszadeh, a marine biologist and painter who is on board the expedition as an artist, told AFP. Patrick Star The 20-day expedition "Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon" involves 25 scientists -- most of them from the Argentine research agency CONICET.

Part of the GEMPA deep sea study group, with support from the US Schmidt Ocean Institute, it will end on August 10. Aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's "Falkor (too)" ship, scientists remotely operate the robot, which can descend to a depth of 4,500 meters (14,700 feet). They collect biological samples with its robotic arms and other instruments, and send back high-definition images.

"The fact that anyone can connect from home and see what we are seeing live is a unique opportunity," explains expedition leader Daniel Lauretta in a statement. "Science is no longer something distant or inaccessible, but becomes part of everyday life." A sea star at 1195 metres of depth at the Mar del Plata Canyon in the Argentine Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean about 300 Km off Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

© Handout, Schmidt Ocean Institute / ROV SuBastian via AFP This week, social media users were delighted when an orange starfish with two symmetrical bumps resembling buttocks appeared on the live stream. It quickly prompted comparisons with Patrick Star, from the popular animated series SpongeBob SquarePants.

Memes circulated joking that "Patrick is Argentine," marine biology became a trending topic on social media, and the broadcast reached the screens of hundreds of thousands of captivated viewers. "I came to see the big-bottomed star, is it here?" asked one user upon entering the YouTube chat. Spectators also gave other sea creatures nicknames: a king crab was dubbed "Drag Queen," and sea cucumber was fondly called "Sweet Potato."

'Beacon of light' This is the first time that human eyes -- albeit remotely -- have seen this underwater oasis in real time, where the cold, nutrient-rich Malvinas current and warm, salty Brazil current converge. The confluence is "one of the most energetic regions in our global Ocean," according to the website of the Schmidt Institute, with the temperature difference creating an area teeming with marine wildlife and flora.

"We are already seeing incredible things: animals that have never been recorded in this area, underwater landscapes that look like something from another planet, and behaviors that surprise even the most experienced scientists," said Lauretta. But funding for such expeditions is under threat in Argentina.

A shrimp (Caridea) at 1271 metres of depth at the Mar del Plata Canyon in the Argentine Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean about 300 Km off Mar del Plata, Argentina. © Handout/Schmidt Ocean Institute / ROV SuBastian via AFP CONICET, the government's scientific research arm, has been severely underfunded by libertarian President Javier Milei, who has implemented draconian cuts to public spending with his infamous "chainsaw."

Its budget fell by 21 percent last year, salaries have plummeted by 35 percent since the Milei took office in December 2023, and the cuts have led to an exodus of scientists. As a result, in between "oohs" and "aahs" of wonder, messages of support are flooding the live stream's chat: "Long live Conicet!"

. "Seeing people being passionate about their job is attractive," said Tomas Atilio Luppi, a biologist at the CONICET-affiliated marine and coastal research institute in Mar del Plata, who is not directly involved in the campaign. "This is happening at a very difficult time," he told AFP of the popular broadcast. "Science is in a very complicated position, both financially and in terms of support and human resources." "The fact that this craze is happening is like a beacon of light." (FRANCE 24 with AFP)