The Titanic sub going missing is a stark reminder of just how fearsome the natural world remains, despite enormous tech advances powered by American grit and innovation.

We’re pulling for Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood and the rest of the passengers.

But be warned: No matter the outcome here, expect much of the commentariat — and our chronically risk-averse legislators — to draw the exact wrong conclusion. 

Namely, that what deep sea tech really needs is the heavy hand of regulation, micro-managed safety processes, intrusive government oversight and — above all — the total elimination of any danger.

The same goes (double) for private spaceflight.

Or rejuvenating America’s nuclear power capacity (the sclerotic federal agency responsible for reactor-design approvals is years behind the times). 

Or wherever the boldness of our technologists, engineers and other dreamers takes us next.

When the passengers boarded that sub, they knew they were taking a risk. They paid handsomely for the privilege. 

And yes: The sub company, OceanGate, may well be guilty of some malfeasance. It waited hours to report the vessel missing. If so, it can and should pay the price. 

But no OceanGate error should be a license for journalists drunk on pseudoscience or power-grabby lawmakers and bureaucrats to stifle visionary tech.