Like alot of people in the past and in the present, I've been wondering about the many myths and legends of men at sea and of the many actual "accidents" occuring there.

What a spectacular room of fantasy they must have had those days, a thousand spirits of dawn, mystic communications at daybreak, so much romance yet Arthur C. Clarke has said "The universe reveals so much of the strange and wonderful, that our wildest fantasies do not reach reality"

then what is fantastic reality? and what actual dangers have men encountered above deep and dark water?
How much confidence or drive do these animals have? Some people talk about squids racing ships, trying to catch them and being torn by the propellers.
Earth is earth, I believe one shouldn't make more or less of it than it is. I am aware that many observations have been exaggerated in order to swim in bizarre dreams and ideas but I'm sure there must be still alot of interesting specimens (and not only specimens I'm also thinking about sudden monster waves that appear out of no where) out there.

So what do you guys think? how much do you know of the actual behaviour of these creatures and can you explain powerful waves, do you know other interesting stuff I might want to take a look on?

Giant Dosidicus gigas, Humboldt squid image with article

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/issues...cle.cover_story


vampire squid images and article:


http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/articl...=9&articleID=62

Bioluminous creatures are very interesting to myself. Animals creating light and using it in behaviour and communication is beautiful. Some of those creatures have completely different forms that I'm used too thats for sure. If you are amazed at huge waves, you should also look at whirlpools, dust devils and volcanoes. There are very isolated deep sea creatures that live next to thermal vents as hot as lava. Life finds a way.

We all know that life adapts to it's environment. It amazes us yet for nature it's the most normal thing to create such life forms. Cells develop, the interesting question is why they develop into what they become.

Isn't this a teleological statement?

I know one of them almost finds Nemo!

Suprised the OP hasn't responded by now.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070711/sc_nm/australia_squid_dc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6288640.stm

Not marine, but nevertheless:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/magic-mus...3833550351.html

Not necessarily. It could just be an inductive conclusion from observation of evlolutionary evidence. To say "life's purpose is to adapt to its environment" would be definitely teleological.

http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=97325#videoid=99800

Worm-Like Creature Baffles Scientists
Discovery Made By Fla. Diver
A worm-like creature caught on tape by a Florida diver has scientists scratching their heads.