Why China’s Man-Made Islands Are Sinking

Every time I come across a video like this I am reminded of how deeply we are wounded by a lack of a news media that we can all trust. Once upon a time, we had one. I grew up with trustworthy news. Certainly, there were many competing sources with competing points of view and opinions, just as we all have competing points of view and opinions. But, we could found our debates in a solid foundation of facts. Sadly, there are no facts and our debates never find solid ground on which we could ever agree or even compromise. Thus, our divide deepens and now forms an unbridgeable abyss.

This link points to a story that seems plausible to me, at least in its factual presentation. Landfills used to expand existing landmass are difficult to construct and maintain (stabilize). Landfills at sea seem impossible to this simple sailor who has seen the forces of wind and waves. Indeed, living and sailing along the California coastline for 47 years gave me a deep appreciation of the effects of erosion on natural landmasses. Likewise, having lived near the Alleghanies for the first 23 years of my life, then in Front Range Colorado and later in California, that appreciation for the effects of erosion grows deeper.

Now, if we accept that the Chinese man-made islands are sinking, we can discuss and disagree on the consequences. However, at least we are beginning on the same solid (or eroding) ground. If we can't agree on the factual basis of the discussion, nothing remains except to take pot shots at one another with ad hominem attacks or firearms.