TBH I think that Paleontologists should be allowed to fight private collectors who purchase any specimen that is incredibly valuable to science actually.
“Old friend” either means an elderly dog or an individual of the same gender with whom you have been secretly in love for more than a decade. There are no other possible interpretations.
The Titanic submersible situation is what happens when people have so much money on their hands that they start to feel invincible. I know they were made aware that this could result in their deaths but I truly believe they never thought it would happen to them. They likely felt so powerful in their daily lives, I wouldn't be surprised if it never occured to them that one decision could make them completely powerless and suddenly all their billions are utterly meaningless.