Agreed.There are internet experts for sure, Captain is not one of them, owned his own shop, professionally skippered his own boat for hire, licensed skipper, been a diver all of his life. At some point the dogma must bend to reality, there are those who are simply trying to point out that you can dive however you wish
but in fact much of the equipment we use today is not really needed in all circumstances and a diver who chooses not to use all of the extra stuff is not dangerous or foolish, there is a different path for those who seek minimalism. If this challenges some divers, causes others to become angry and give "evil" stares etc, just take a Prozac and learn to deal with the fact that there are people who will never "conform" ever.
It does not challenge me. If you like diving in a minimalist fashion it is fine with me. I think the challenges came more from those who think that diving with an octo is somehow dangerous and displays some lack of basic training.
I dive mostly here in SoCal where the water is colder, the vis if unpredictable and current come up or changes without so much as a courtesy call. We take the added precaution of an octo and some dive with a redundant air supply. We like it that way. You dive the way you guys like and so do we.
The basic question has been asked and answered.
If you want to expand on the merits of minimalist diving in tropical conditions vs cold water, go for it - in a new thread.