Exploring the events surrounding the OceanGate Submersible Incident, we delve into the story by interviewing ex-employees of CEO Stockton Rush. However, questions linger about the accuracy of previous claims labeling him as a psychopath. How truthful are these assertions?
To many viewers watching the Netflix documentary, the bursting noises coming from the Titan submersible tests might be enough to discourage them from ever stepping foot in one again. However, Stockton Rush persisted, positioning OceanGate as a groundbreaking pioneer in the deep seas, comparable to SpaceX in its exploration of space-like frontiers underwater.
The warnings were clear and unmistakable; engineers departed in protest, industry veterans spoke out publicly, and ex-employees pleaded with him to take notice. However, he persisted undeterred, not only endangering others but also boarding the ill-fated vessel on its catastrophic plunge that occurred on June 18, 2023.
Was it that he failed to comprehend the science and the dangers, or did he grasp them fully but thought himself exempt from the consequences? This is the enigma: which scenario best describes him?
Was Stockton Rush a psychopath?
It’s impossible to say definitively without a proper diagnosis, but based on observed characteristics like grandiosity and risk-taking behaviors, which are frequently linked to psychopathy, Dr. John Paul Garrison, a clinical and forensic psychologist, suggests that there may be indications of this condition.
In other words, Garrison emphasizes that his conclusions are drawn from openly accessible data, not a professional psychology assessment. Furthermore, he refrains from providing a specific diagnosis as only face-to-face clinical assessments involving interviews can do so accurately.
Even so, it’s worth considering some intriguing patterns, particularly as more information emerges from the Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Incident.
psychopathy extends beyond merely lacking compassion; it often encompasses an exaggerated self-worth, a blatant disrespect for regulations, and a readiness to jeopardize others, or even one’s own safety, to achieve an objective.
Based on accounts from previous OceanGate workers, Rush exhibited a potentially hazardous mix of charisma and arrogance. He disregarded standard safety protocols and saw himself as analogous to figures such as Elon Musk – individuals who take risks in pursuit of advancement, often overlooking potential repercussions.
In the recently released film, scenes capture him dismissing alerts with self-assuredness, and in another sequence, he attributes the success of his endeavors to “luck.” He stated, “Elon Musk might have coined this phrase, but luck is the ultimate superpower.
Those who have ever ventured into the sea will attest to the role of fortune, and it’s this belief – seemingly admirable yet potentially dangerous – that stirs up questions about possible psychopathic tendencies.
According to Dr. Garrison’s examination, Rush delivered a speech about the Titan submarine just prior to the catastrophe, where he praised it as an advanced engineering marvel, despite the fact that doubts about its design had previously been expressed.
At some stage, Rush contemplates organizing future expeditions to the Titanic’s wreck site that would include entire families. “He seems to be discussing the notion of bringing entire families with him,” Garrison remarks.
Is it possible that he’s not as cautious as he appears, given his readiness to endanger lives for these ventures? Or could this be an individual who seeks thrill and adventure at the expense of others, aiming to grow a marine-focused business in the process?
Rush’s self-importance is clearer when he describes OceanGate less as a submarine business and more as an exceptional adventure for explorers at heart.
Garrison comments, “It seems promising… yet it’s also extremely perilous and hazardous,” he adds. “The ambition lies in his desires, but they’re unrealistic – unfortunately, that’s not the reality we face when dealing with the depths of the sea.
Traits may have led to OceanGate disaster
It’s possible that multiple psychological factors influenced Rush’s perspective. One of these, as Garrison points out, is the overconfidence bias, which refers to a person being excessively self-assured about their capabilities.
For instance, his belief in the distinctive design of the Titan, even though some deep-sea explorers questioned its viability… An individual displaying an overconfidence bias tends to rely heavily on their personal opinion rather than the opinions of experts in the field.
One concept often observed is the delusion of self-control. As Garrison points out, an exaggerated belief in one’s ability to control situations can sometimes be hard to argue against. This false sense of control may cause individuals to take on more risks and disregard safety concerns, as they feel that they have the power to manage these circumstances.
Garrison is pondering whether Rush was genuinely receptive to criticism. “I wonder if he was resistant to criticism – how deeply he could actually accept criticism,” he muses. The documentary seems to indicate that not much criticism reached him, as many former employees had significant doubts and were either dismissed or left the company on their own.
Additionally, there are indications of an exaggerated belief in one’s own significance, Garrison points out. Rush discussed venturing deep into the ocean and being the first person to lay eyes on specific marine species.
Garrison explains that although he didn’t use those exact words, the core idea was communicated. If someone acts in such a manner, it’s often a sign they aren’t considering potential dangers – a common trait among individuals who are overly confident. They tend to underestimate the inherent risks.
In essence, Garrison suggests that these cognitive biases possibly hindered Rush from fully grasping the severity of the risks at hand. “It seems he might comprehend them intellectually,” he says, “but it’s not clear that he regarded them as seriously as many others did.
Garrison points out certain characteristics – arrogance, excessive self-assurance, dismissal of danger, refusal to acknowledge criticism, and charisma. These traits are often linked to psychopathy, but it’s important to note that they alone do not provide a definitive diagnosis.
Netflix documentary reveals truth about Princeton
The Netflix documentary further discloses that Stockton Rush was a student at Princeton University; however, his academic performance didn’t shine exceptionally, with most of his grades being Cs, Ds, and one F.
Although he was unable to achieve his childhood dream of being an astronaut due to his poor eyesight, Rush had often expressed that this was something he’d once aspired to. However, being an astronaut isn’t just about physical fitness, it also requires exceptional academic success in science and engineering fields.
Despite this, he persisted in projecting an image of a man fated for grandeur – be it in the cosmos or the ocean depths. This further complicates the trends that Dr. Garrison has been analyzing.
Or
He consistently portrayed himself as someone with an extraordinary destiny, whether he was aiming for the stars or the deep seas. This only serves to intensify the patterns pointed out by Dr. Garrison’s research.
Instead of just being about arrogance, grandiosity often stems from an individual perceiving themselves as exceptional, even when there’s evidence to the contrary. This raises questions about their ambition. Was Rush perhaps trying to compensate for perceived shortcomings or inadequacies by demonstrating that he could achieve something others wouldn’t dare to attempt?
Garrison’s examination delves into a type of psychology characterized by excessive self-confidence and a sense of false control that often overpowers reason. This aspect has ignited much debate among spectators of the Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Crisis.
In a post on Reddit, I praised the docuementary for its exceptional job at explaining my transition from dreaming about space (the sky) to pursuing something different (the ocean), once I realized that becoming an astronaut wasn’t in the cards for me.
A different individual commented, “The video of Rush being virtually unstable during his solo dive in the Bahamian submersible initially struck me as the most incriminating. To my eyes, it appeared that he barely kept himself together, but then he returned with a broad grin and an air of triumph, seemingly unfazed by any difficulties.
“Stockton is so arrogant, he thought he was doing something ground breaking,” added a third.
Stream the gripping drama “Titan: The OceanGate Tragedy” on Netflix right now! Additionally, find updates on Wendy Weil Rush, Stockton’s spouse, and explore the latest movies being streamed this month.
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2025-06-12 14:19