Poll: Would you be the first man/woman on Mars if it meant you have to stay?

[PaulyWalnuts]

In a move that would have been crazy twenty years ago, NASA has finally began research and investment collection for what is now known as the Hundred Years Starship, an incredibly ambitious project to colonize Mars. However, looking at the budget and the sheer impossibility, the first pioneers to land on Mars would have to realize that they're never coming back. There is simply no way for them to relaunch and return, and their only tangible connection with their home planet would be supply launches that would keep them stocked. The project plans on having around four people to be on the mission.

My question is, would you do it? I know many of us who play videogames have a special tendency to crave the unfamiliar and the amazing, but first weigh the pros and cons. Besides being world famous, the first exo-pioneer, and seeing the incredible sights of a completely foreign planet, think of what you would miss. I'm assuming the astronauts are well beyond the age to either be married or have a significant other. Maybe they have kids. But you know for a fact they have relatives, friends, favorite places, and favorite hobbies that could not possibly come with. So once again...would you do it?

After a lot of thought I decided...no (with a lot of grief). Although the very thought of colonizing another planet is the most amazing thing the human race can accomplish, I want a family and I want children, so I guess that keeps me out.

Here's a link
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1324192/Hundred-Year-Starship-Mars-mission-leave-astronauts-planet-forever.html

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I've said it once and I'll say it again.

Prothean technology!!!!1111111oneoneone

 

[GeorgW]

It would depend on how frustrated with the world I was at the time of deciding. Right now, no. But a lot of times, yes.

 

[Marter]

No. I wouldn't want to leave Earth anyhow.

 

[sms_117b]

4 people......no, not with 3 other people, that's too few, I would go one way if there were about 99 others, or at a later stage, but 4 in total....just no!

 

[Benmonkey7]

Not right now, but if I was older then yes. Glory and fame for the win.

 

[Ampersand]

Why. Mars is shit and Earth is alright i'm staying here.

 

[Estarc]

I wouldn't want to be the first man on Mars even if they'd pay me a million dollars and let me come back.

 

[Frotality]

in an instant. apart from the basic comforts of air and food (which i assume will be provided...) there is little to nothing i have to leave behind on this insipid planet. whole new world without 2000000000000 advertisements everywhere every second of every day? nothing but a few enlightened spacers populating it? simple life of staring into the beautiful abyss every day of my life?

sign me up.

 

[Firoth]

Depends, are the other 3 astronauts attractive, sexually curious women of varied ethnicity? If not, I have to say no. Giving up all the world has to offer (like video games, soda, and friends) is totally not worth it.

 

[Geekosaurus]

Worden said he has discussed the potential price tag for one-way trips to Mars with Google co-founder Larry Page, telling him such a mission could be done for $10 billion.
He said said: 'His response was, "Can you get it down to $1 [billion] or $2billion?"'

This must be comforting for the astronauts.

 

[Trestin]

Read Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. It goes into a theory about that.

 

[drbarno]

No. I like Earth anyway

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

Sure, why the hell not. I have no connection to anything here.
I would probably end up requesting booze with the supplies a lot, though.

 

[Zakarath]

Depends on how many video games and books I could bring with me ...but right now, no. There's too much I care about here.
And also: Space travel is very cool and I fully support it, but I also think we should try and solve a lot of this planet's problems before looking to colonize Mars. The projected $10 Billion price tag of this project could go a long way towards renewable, green energy initiatives.

 

[Firoth]

Sure, why the hell not. I have no connection to anything here.
I would probably end up requesting booze with the supplies a lot, though.

Lol, somehow I doubt they're going to let you get drunk on a billion(s) dollar space mission. The best you could hope for is a bottle of bubbly when you make it there.

 

[omicron1]

Now, the question is, is there anything on Mars to make such a trip worth it? Rare rocks, minerals, gold deposits, a huge underground supply of oil, Helium-3...? Or will this mission be nothing but a moneysink?

Edit: Also, I imagine the multiplayer latency would make things difficult. Over 9000 ping, anyone?

Edit 2: Giving this some serious thought (read: 2 seconds' worth), if people are going up there to stay, said mission would be akin to colonization. Thus in order to make this mission feasible, the bases would have to have some method of expansion - of building new regions. The "glass space dome" idea doesn't seem too far off the mark, although underground bunkers seem much more likely. Space Minecraft, anyone?

 

[Thaliur]

Well, supposing I'm single and in a slightly suicidal mood when asked:

I guess I'd leave, if there is any kind of colony-like base there, since I wouldn't want to live in a space suit and a garage-sized landing module for years.

The suicidal mood would be basically a prerequisite, since it would actually end my current life and substitute another (admittedly potentially awesome) life on a foreign planet.


Then again, Mars is a pretty boring place, at least judging from what we know so far, so I'd probably stay here.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

Sure, why the hell not. I have no connection to anything here.
I would probably end up requesting booze with the supplies a lot, though.

Lol, somehow I doubt they're going to let you get drunk on a billion(s) dollar space mission. The best you could hope for is a bottle of bubbly when you make it there.

Won't stop me requesting.
Eventually I would just request suspicious amounts of potatoes and hops and such and make my own poitin instead.
They'd be none the wiser.

 

[Loop Stricken]

I'd stay, dig up that Prothean tech, and make haste to the flotilla for some hot quasi-lethal Quarian booty.
I know I've been ninja'd, but I don't care.

Edit: having read the actual opening post... Four people? Really doesn't sound like enough. You'd just grow to resent them if they were the only four people you'd ever see again.

Ad then comes the bludgeoning.