Send seniors on one-way trip to Mars?

MoonlitSunshine · 11-20-2010, 07:32 AM

"I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out O... Ah, ****"

On a more serious note, knowing scientists the "IN CASE OF A MAJOR CATASTROPHE" bit is probably less the actual reasining for it, and more that if they have a reason other than "cause we're pretty damn curious" they're much more likely to get private sector backing. Never underestimate the paranoia of a multi-billionaire!

As for the "Billions could be spent on other things" argument: the billions already exist in the world, and they're not being spent. What makes you think that if they don't spend it on this, that they'll actually spend it on something that will benefit the rest of the world? People are selfish, rich people, doubly so (kinda have to be to get that way) I don't blame them for it, but it's a fact of life that the vast majority of them aren't going to fork out money if they don't stand to profit from it. If Space Exploration works, and a new colony is set up, investors stand to profit majorly from it, so it's possible to get private sector backing. If you can convince the richest people in the world that they stand to gain from increasing the standard of living of the world in general, then be my guest.

On a scientific note, part of me would actually be interested in living on Mars, especially if i'd already lived a full life on Earth. We have no idea how long we're going to live, in fact there are theories that the rate at which we are learning to extend life is fast outgrowing the average lifespan of a human being in a 1st world country. If it increases at this rate, many of us may live to be 200/300, if not indefinitely old. Would you not get bored, after a while? Starting a colony on mars would be difficult, it'd probably be rough for a fair bit, but it would be challenging, and if you were with people who you got along with and worked well with, I personally don't think it'd be that bad. So long as nothing like "The Waters of Mars" happens.... *shudder*

11-20-2010, 07:32 AM	#26 (permalink)
MoonlitSunshine Dat's Der Bunny! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,097	"I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out O... Ah, ***" On a more serious note, knowing scientists the "IN CASE OF A MAJOR CATASTROPHE" bit is probably less the actual reasining for it, and more that if they have a reason other than "cause we're pretty damn curious" they're much more likely to get private sector backing. Never underestimate the paranoia of a multi-billionaire! As for the "Billions could be spent on other things" argument: the billions already exist in the world, and they're not being spent. What makes you think that if they don't spend it on this, that they'll actually spend it on something that will benefit the rest of the world? People are selfish, rich people, doubly so (kinda have to be to get that way) I don't blame them for it, but it's a fact of life that the vast majority of them aren't going to fork out money if they don't stand to profit from it. If Space Exploration works, and a new colony is set up, investors stand to profit majorly from it, so it's possible to get private sector backing. If you can convince the richest people in the world that they stand to gain from increasing the standard of living of the world in general, then be my guest. On a scientific note, part of me would actually be interested in living on Mars, especially if i'd already lived a full life on Earth. We have no idea how long we're going to live, in fact there are theories that the rate at which we are learning to extend life is fast outgrowing the average lifespan of a human being in a 1st world country. If it increases at this rate, many of us may live to be 200/300, if not indefinitely old. Would you not get bored, after a while? Starting a colony on mars would be difficult, it'd probably be rough for a fair bit, but it would be challenging, and if you were with people who you got along with and worked well with, I personally don't think it'd be that bad. So long as nothing like "The Waters of Mars" happens.... shudder* __________________ "I found it eventually, at the bottom of a locker in a disused laboratory, with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard". Ever thought of going into Advertising?" - Arthur Dent Last edited by MoonlitSunshine; 11-20-2010 at 07:40 AM.