This is heavily based on the DC movie but the facts are not the same:
The city of Atlantis is underwater and its real; it is populated by underwater superhumans ruled by a king and possesses technology far more advanced that anything Surface Dwellers (the people on the surface of Earth) have.
You are one of these superhuman Atlanteans in this hypothetical.
For thousands of years the Atlanteans have pursued a policy of Non-Contact with Surface Dwellers. However, in light of increasing maritime pollution, overfishing, global warming, and other environmental disasters caused by the Surface Dwellers... there are increasing calls that something be done about it. If the environmental destruction continues, then eventually even Atlantis will be doomed.
The Surface Dwellers do not know it, but in fact, they are about 2-3 decades from causing complete planetary destruction.
At this critical juncture in history there is a civil war for control of the Atlantean throne. The two contenders represent two different ideologies with how to deal with the Surface Dweller Environmental Problem.
Pay close attention because the Discussion Point will be: Assuming you MUST support one of these two factions vying for the throne, who do you back and why?
Contender 1: Ocean Master
Ocean Master believes that war with the Surface is the only way to ensure the environmental safety of Atlantis and the planet.
"THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER"
Ocean Master will use Atlantis' overwhelmingly superior technology to wage war against the Surface, killing millions-billions of humans if necessary. Despite the Surface Dwellers being more numerous, Atlantis will win due to overwhelmingly superior technology (in fact, it is expected that only a dozen Atlanteans will be killed for every billion Surface casualty if even that). At the war's conclusion, the Surface will be forced to follow very harsh (but necessary) pro-environmental peace terms like a ban on commercial fishing, extremely strict emissions reduction targets, and materials restrictions. This will save the planet.
Contender 2: Aqua Man
Aqua Man agrees with Ocean Master that the Surface Dwellers cannot by themselves be entrusted to advert environmental catastrophe in time. However, he wants to take a more liberal approach than his adversary. His slogan is:
"J-eese SH-urface 'Wellers are a PRIMITIVE Ray-sHHHHHHH.... but perhapSH jay can be... eh-JOOH-gayted" (translation: "these surface dwellers are a primitive race... but perhaps they can be... educated")
Aquaman suggests that instead of waging war against the Surface, Atlantis instead make contact with the Surface, educate the Surface about the true depravity of their actions, and then share Atlantis' advanced technology with the Surface. After which, once the Surface becomes "enlightened" they can be peacefully guided towards being stewards rather the foes of the planet. There is however one major risk with Aqua Man's plan: once the Surface Dwellers have some of Atlantis' technology, they may be able to use it to catch up to Atlantis or in some way become a much greater threat to Atlantis. While Atlantis has superior technology, it can be reverse engineered with ease. If a war then breaks out, the Surface might win. Obviously another risk is that if the humans DON'T listen or work together in time, in 2-3 decades we are all dead.
...
Which side do you support (assuming that these are the only two factions and you cannot stay neutral)? Why? Provide your justification.
