> I think of this as a kind of bootstrapping procedure Sure, but a lot of the reasons they list are essential. E.g., calmer waters near large bodies of land an

> I think of this as a kind of bootstrapping procedure Sure, but a lot of the reasons they list are essential. E.g., calmer waters near large bodies of land and therefore in sovereign water. Proximity to supply chains that lead to/from large land-based populations. Etc. > If these ships are movable, then one advantage over a land-based city is they could even change nations when they felt like it. notahacker's sister post is spot on.