“Would you go to Mars?” is not a normal question, nor a normal conversational topic, but one day it could be and in certain circles it already is. I present to you the Mars One Mission:
“The Mars One mission plan consists of cargo missions and unmanned preparation of a habitable settlement, followed by human landings. In the coming years, a demonstration mission, communication satellites, two rovers and several cargo missions will be sent to Mars. These missions will set up the outpost where the human crew will live and work.” (According to the Mars One website)
So now the question is: “Would YOU go to Mars?”. Personally I wouldn’t. I like my life on Earth too much. Sure there are lots of problems here… There’s the constant fear of a zombie apocalypse, toxic waste from giant manufactures that could turn us into the X-men and dodgy people who think it’s okay to run around Nelson Mandela Square (and no, I’m not pointing any fingers at anyone). It is relatively safe UNLESS you have to drive on Witkoppen every day during peak hours (then Mars might be for you).
Yes, we all hate certain people in life (According to the How I met your Mother episode in Season 7 or 8), but to leave Earth and have contact with almost no one is quite a dramatic leap from simply un-friending them on Facebook or unfollowing them on Twitter. Yes, we know you might be an introvert BUT living in such close confines with other people will drive you mad or “Mars Crazy” (soon to be a medical term, I’m sure).
Another thing, the food. The best part of life (for some anyway). Dry, processed food for days. Remember, its the journey and the destination. Yes, you might be able to grow things there but that is decades away from being even remotely possible. No Banting, no Paleo, no excuses, no variations, no nothing (just like your view).
Just in case you think that this is a good idea. Did you not read the last part of the article? Anyway, this one tiny little detail bothers me a bit: YOU WON’T COME BACK! Yes that is right. You will never have your beloved Micky D’s again, nor your sweets, chocolate or boerewors. Earth will be but a distant memory and your body (once you do die of same strange space related illness) will be thrown into space. Your particles will forever be wandering around our universe.
Enough doom and gloom for now. I’m outta here. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Watch this space for regular updates in the Technology / Opinion categories on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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