r/books • u/FCNomad AMA Author • Mar 04 '19
ama Hi Reddit! I’m Fabien Cousteau, Aquanaut, Ocean Explorer, Documentary Film Maker and Grandson of Famed Sea Explorer Jacques Cousteau. The first book in my new graphic novel series Great White Shark Adventure publishes tomorrow, March 5. Ask me anything!
Hi Reddit! I’m Fabien Cousteau. My name may be familiar to you because Jacques Cousteau, the most famed sea explorer of modern times, is my grandfather. I grew up on The Calypso, my grandfather’s ship, and learned to scuba dive at age four (my very first memory of the ocean!). From then on, my future carrying on our family legacy to help educate people and protect the oceans was sealed. I have chosen to dedicate my life to educating the world, and especially kids, about ocean conservation and the environment to help positively impact the world through the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center. Whether it be releasing baby sea turtles, diving in a shark shaped submarine, or exploring parts of the ocean that have never been explored before, I strive to show the wonders of the deep blue to the world and to help kids want to do the same when they grow up.
My illustrated novel, GREAT WHITE SHARK ADVENTURE, releases tomorrow from Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon ＆ Schuster Children’s Publishing!
Some cool facts about me: I lived underwater for 31 days straight as part of Mission 31, the longest underwater science expedition ever. I reached over 100,000 students throughout the world, Skyping into classrooms to show them what my life was like while honoring the 50th anniversary of my grandfather’s own experiment living underwater during Conshelf Two. I explore legends of the deep, like the Belize Blue Hole, where I piloted a submarine with Sir Richard Branson to the very bottom of the ocean sinkhole on live television to share the mystery with the world.
My grandfather once said, “People protect what they love, they love what they understand, and they understand what they are taught.” The ocean and its vast beauty is what I love and strive to teach others about so that they can love it too.
You can learn more about me at my website, on twitter @FCousteau, and on Facebook. Help learn about what you can do to save the oceans through the Ocean Learning Center!
For those who asked where to purchase the book- Click the link to the official Simon and Schuster page: https://www.simonandschuster.biz/books/Great-White-Shark-Adventure/Fabien-Cousteau/Fabien-Cousteau-Expeditions/9781534420878
I am embarking on my book tour, so responses will be really limited while I am on the road. If you want to come see me to ask me more questions, you can find my full tour schedule here. Thank you all so much for stopping by!” Merci! Fabien
Proof: /img/c359kkr8kkj21.jpg
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u/eldoesntreddit Mar 04 '19
What do you think is the best way to spread awareness to younger generations about ocean conservation? Are there any specific efforts out there that you think are really getting it right?
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u/sneaky_sunfish Mar 04 '19
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about the ocean?
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u/Shammy1260 Mar 04 '19
Hi! A couple of questions
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What fascinates you about sharks over most other sea creatures?
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What can we do as regular people to help protect the ocean?
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Mar 04 '19
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u/FCNomad Mar 04 '19
I started diving on my 4th birthday LOL
Its never an easy answer... Once addicted to ocean (as you know) its hard to ignore it
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u/may_june_july Mar 04 '19
What do you like to read? What are your top 3 must-read books?
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u/sotpsean Mar 04 '19
Hello, Mr Cousteau! It's an honour. When I was a child, family lived in Djibouti, Africa,(my father was a French Foreign Legionnaire). There was a local legend about a "sea monster" living in Lac Goubet. I've heard that your Grandfather might have investigated Lac Goubet in search of this "monster". Locals have thought it to be a prehistoric shark cut off from the sea. I've always wondered if someone might be able to shed light on this subject. Have you heard of this? Thanks for doing this AMA!
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u/KE0BVT Mar 04 '19
On a more serious note, what do you think the role of oceanographers should be over the next few years in the fight against climate change, pollution etc.? Do we need more who are household names, or do we need to show people the ocean in totally new ways? And if so, how do we get there?
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u/Inkberrow Mar 04 '19
Are you too young to have any memory of John Denver and the hit song about the Calypso?
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u/KE0BVT Mar 04 '19
(I figured more people would be asking questions, but until then, I'll ask another.)
What have you heard about the work being done to study microorganisms, bacteria and viruses in the ocean floor? I've heard there are so many types of each of those things that we haven't discovered yet simply because we haven't looked in very many places, some types of which could have huge implications for our development of medicines and such. What's being done on this front? I can't even begin to fathom how much ground there is to cover and how much of that could be chock full of new types of microorganisms/life.
By the way, thanks for doing this AMA!
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u/FCNomad Mar 05 '19
Yes, you are correct. There is a lot to learn about some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. For example, chemical compositions of deep water sponges are being deciphered and replicated in order to find cures for malaria and various cancers... Its an untapped universe down there
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u/CubiclePurgatory Mar 04 '19
Hi Fabian! I know you said you lived underwater for 31 days but how long can you hold your breath under water?
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u/BEANandCHEE Mar 04 '19
Do you like “The Life Aquatic”?
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u/gigglesinchurch Mar 05 '19
This must be a sore subject.
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u/FCNomad Mar 05 '19
not at all, just doing a book tour and haven't been on to answer, sorry for delay
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Mar 04 '19
What advice would you have for working in science to a children's book?
What is the publishing process like working with your editor?
If you could give kids one piece of advise for protecting the environment day-to-day, what would it be and why?
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u/BlackCurses Mar 04 '19
You lived 31 days under water? Like in a box? Did you eat krabby patties?
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u/KE0BVT Mar 04 '19
Given your father's history with wristwatches, I'm curious, what is your go to watch (or multiple types)?
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u/zincplug Mar 04 '19
Was your life anything like The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou?
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u/YellowfinTunaFish Mar 04 '19
Oh wow Mr Cousteau, I'm a big fan! I used to follow you on Instagram! Being a watch nut and ocean lover myself, I loved your partnerships with doxa and seiko.
I have to know
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what are some of your favourite books (ocean related or otherwise) and
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what's your favourite seiko timepiece!
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u/SpartanH089 Mar 04 '19
Your family's an inspiration! I got certified in PADI and SSI and did shark dives because I wanted to be like your grandfather. Many thanks to you and your family sir!
Few questions:
What is your favorite shark?
Have you ever been caught in a maelstrom while diving? If so how did you get out?
Have you ever gotten nitrogen narcosis?
Any moments that made you fearful?
Most interesting marine life you've encountered?
Longest time spent in a hyperbaric chamber?
Thoughts on Heliox and Heliair?
Have you ever been to SeaBase in SLC,UT here in the US?
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Mar 04 '19
Jacques Cousteau was the only reason I learned anything about the ocean when I was a kid. Thanks for everything you're doing to keep the legacy alive
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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '19