Would you colonize Mars?

[Mouthwash]

Would you go to Mars permanently? At what stage would it be acceptable to you? (I doubt the first wave will be tolerable, but there's nowhere for it to go but up.) What would you find desirable about being a settler on an empty planet?

 

[warpus]

As long as I had a gaming PC, access to the internet (yeah, lag is fine), unlimited download capabilities, access to good food, and a job good enough to give me the power to return home at some point.. I'd go in wave 4 or 5. That's assuming that by then there'd be maybe 100 or so colonists, with enough single women of my type present. I wouldn't also mind if all the other guys were dorks, so the women wouldn't go for them, but they'd be interesting to talk to about intellectual matters.

There would also have to be beer and medicinal marijuana present in easily accessible and legal capacity.

So yeah, there's no way they'd send me. But I'd go. I suppose I'm also assuming that the living quarters weren't super cramped and that there's privacy. And that max 7 hours a day are work hours, with no overtime.

 

[Paul in Saudi]

Unless they want old, fat guys, (ballast?) I am out. But I would support "us" colonizing Mars.

 

[El_Machinae]

No, I wouldn't go. I see no upside for myself. I would happily donate money to the idea. I try to give token donations (~$50 per year) and am happy to spend these dollars on longshots. If something became more and more certain, I'd up my donations over time. BUT, I'd also seriously consider straight out investments (where I have a stake) using a different calculus.

 

[Winner]

Being part of a small community literally breaking new ground on another planet? Of course! I can't imagine a life better spent.

*provided of course that my chances of living to a ripe old age are sufficient. I am willing to take considerable radiation, zero-g, low-g health risks, but I wouldn't go if I had it basically sure that I would die around 60 or something similarly drastic.

 

[downtown]

Me, personally? Hell no.

 

[warpus]

Me, personally? Hell no.

This might be a stupid question, but is there anything in the Bible saying that you have to die or be buried on Earth, in order to end up in heaven?

A part of the Mormon thing is to go out into another community and spread the message, right? If you live on Mars, you wouldn't have anyone to try to convert. I know that you've already done your part and your mission, but say there's a young Mormon living on Mars, and there isn't anyone there for him to try to convert. Is it possible he might not end up in heaven as a result?

I'm just sort of wondering out loud which religious groups might be against sending members to far away places like that. Muslims are able to fake facing towards Mecca for example, but I could see some conservative members of whatever faith taking a firm stance against moving, because it wouldn't be compatible with their religion in some way.

Is any of this making sense? I didn't get much sleep last night. Waking up on Mars would be awesome though. I'd be the most popular guy on facebook, among my peers at least. Not that popularity is important, but all the girls would love my Mars selfies.

 

[Winner]

It'd probably be for the best if members of certain *cough* denominations remained on Earth.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

No. I think to want to really do that, you need to see more in it then there really is. Because let's face it - the conditions in themselves will not be desirable. Sure there will be moments of wonderful and great excitement and awe. But as I understand this is no trip, but a life commitment. At least that his how I interpret "to colonize". So I expect the ecitement and awe to peter out and what is left is every-day life which is just objectively less suited to suit humans in many ways.
But I do see people still enjoying this more than ordinary life. But as said, they would need to see some special idea in it, something special and personal. Or perhaps they get off on serving humanity or just being special. Or okay, the idea of an adventure like this may just give them the kicks. Whatever it is - I don't have it. And I suspect that enough people may find out after while being there they don't either.

 

[Phrossack]

No, because Mars sucks. The exciting novelty of colonizing and living on a whole new planet is one of its main draws, and all novelyy wears off quickly. The gravity is unhealthily low. There's no nature or greenery to enjoy. Resources are scarce, and there's a strict bring-your-own-air policy. And radiation. And you're dead if the power goes out. And you'll be eating hydroponics and packaged food your whole life. And there's a long, horrible journey there.

Really, I'd much rather colonize Antarctica or Baffin Island or the Rub al-Khali or something. So much nicer and closer to home.

 

[Synobun]

The results last time were pretty equal, in my opinion.

Surprisingly enough, Downtown hates the moon as much as he hates Mars. Our solar system is so unloved.

I'd be willing to go to Mars once it was actually livable. None of this living in a cave underground stuff. Once you can step outside, take a deep breath, and go to work because the grass and weather is mighty fine today, then I'd be cool with it.

 

[Winner]

No, because Mars sucks. The exciting novelty of colonizing and living on a whole new planet is one of its main draws, and all novelyy wears off quickly.

Speaking from experience?

The gravity is unhealthily low.

Says who?

There's no nature or greenery to enjoy.

Greenhouses. Also, a lot of truly magnificent scenery to behold outside.

Resources are scarce, and there's a strict bring-your-own-air policy.

What resources are scarce? Also, it's more of a "make your own air" policy.

And radiation.

Not an issue with proper counter-measures. There are places on Earth where people live in more severe radiation environments.

And you're dead if the power goes out.

You're dead if power goes out here on Earth too, it just takes a bit longer. That's why people build backups.

And you'll be eating hydroponics and packaged food your whole life.

So? Grown food will be fresher than what you buy here, and at least you'll know what goes into it

And there's a long, horrible journey there.

Hardly horrible by any sensible standards. Comparable to a patrol on nuclear sub.

Really, I'd much rather colonize Antarctica or Baffin Island or the Rub al-Khali or something. So much nicer and closer to home.

Fine, we don't need the faint of heart on Mars. Especially those inventing non-existing issues.

 

[downtown]

This might be a stupid question, but is there anything in the Bible saying that you have to die or be buried on Earth, in order to end up in heaven?

A part of the Mormon thing is to go out into another community and spread the message, right? If you live on Mars, you wouldn't have anyone to try to convert. I know that you've already done your part and your mission, but say there's a young Mormon living on Mars, and there isn't anyone there for him to try to convert. Is it possible he might not end up in heaven as a result?\.

Not that I know of, and my aversion to wanting to be a part of space travel has nothing to do with any religious obligations. It's mostly about family. I have obligations now that would make me seriously pause about being a part of something exceptionally risky. I wouldn't want to be in the military, I wouldn't want to be a test pilot, I wouldn't want to pick up a hobby where I might get crippled or killed, and I wouldn't want to do this.

Maybe if I didn't have any family?

 

[Perfection]

I've always wanted to piss on a another planet.

 

[cybrxkhan]

Being a pioneer/colonizer/imperialist without, most likely, having to deal with uncivilized savage natives sounds appealing, but I don't think it would be for me.

 

[Antilogic]

I'll stick with my original answer:

Things on Earth would have to be going pretty bad for me to consider leaving behind all of human society to try and survive on some distant hellhole that my species had never evolved in (and thus isn't adapted to).

Let others figure out the hard stuff, I'll move once the planet is terraformed, food sources are steady and bountiful, infrastructure is built, etc.

So no, I wouldn't colonize Mars. I'd consider moving to a well-established colony on a terraformed Mars, though.

 

[Phrossack]

Fine, we don't need the faint of heart on Mars. Especially those inventing non-existing issues.

You seem almost personally offended by my disinterest in Mars.

 

[cybrxkhan]

You seem almost personally offended by my disinterest in Mars.

Stop being a coward, Phrossack! Adventure awaits in space!

Hmm. I think we need to tink of insulting words for people who want to stay on earth. Earth-hugger? Earth-lubber?

 

[Phrossack]

Stop being a coward, Phrossack! Adventure awaits in space!

Hmm. I think we need to tink of insulting words for people who want to stay on earth. Earth-hugger? Earth-lubber?

Is it really wise for Martians to go out of their way to insult people who are physically much stronger than them (i.e., Earthlings?)

 

[squadbroken]

Hell, I'd go in a heartbeat.