Poll: Would you colonize Mars?

[Pierce Graham]

I'm sure that some of you have noticed that this planet is getting a little crowded. It sure will be in less than a century. So... why haven't we even sent a human to the nearest planet, let alone thought about colonizing? Now before you start posting what an idiot I am, I know that there is no air to breathe on Mars. But neither is there air is space, yet the International Space Station is crewed 24/7. I'm certain that we could build sealed areas on Mars with oxygen. Like a dome city.
Say that it happens. TV adds, internet pop-ups and posters on the street all ask for you to go down to a recruitment center to see if you're a viable candidate to become one of Earth's first off-world colonists. Would you go? Personally, you couldn't get me on that shuttle fast enough.
PS: It's sad that I have to do this with every thread, but since trolls abound on the internet, I must: no, I'm not looking for validation, no, I'm not trying to get people to argue. So let's stay on topic, shall we?

 

[InsanityRequiem]

Why haven't we? Simply, space is scary for the politicians.

And if we were able to set up a colony on Mars, hells to the yeah I'd go! Nothing like fighting space aliens on them Martian terrain!

 

[SillyBear]

It does dishearten me at how quick politicians around the world were to dump NASA and relegate them to research.

I want the adventure of the sixties to come back!

However is there even anything viable on Mars? I don't really know the ins and outs of it - only those at space organisations do.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

I you aven't noticed, Mars is pretty damn boring
Sure i would go, i i was sick and dying, or i my moving wouldn't be permanent and te sip ad magnetic protection

Sit in a bubble all day staring at te desert
Or maybe go outside in a bigass suit and kick some rocks around

 

[no oneder]

I answered yes to the poll, but I'd rather colonize the Moon, just because.

 

[the spud]

Yeah I would go, although at this point there really is no need to colonize Mars. I would do it just for bragging rights.

 

[girzwald]

The only reason to colonize mars would be to set up mining colonies. If mars even has any valuable resources. Thatd pretty much be the only reason to do so.

 

[Gennadios]

I read an article a while back that a few scientists think the likeliest colonization scenario would be 50-60 year old citizens making the (one-way) trip to set up the initial infrastructure and building facilities for a more self-sustaining colony.

In that scenario, I'd totally be in. Nothing like being among the first people to not only set foot on an alien planet but being buried there.

My only gripe would be playing Guild Wars 2 (dont hate, it may be out in 20 years.) I think the ping on Mars is 30 minutes or something.

 

[Alssadar]

^ 'Tis a good reason. Get away from all the stupid people that inhabit earth and have all their past issues about them. Also, going down in the history books to colonize a new world (like my ancestors) would be pretty damn cool.
I'd probably miss Earth, though, with all of its history and fond memories of green and blue. I do like the general aspect of humanity, and, hopefully, there might be some internet-relay point between our planets (maybe the moon).

 

[Lawllerskater]

No. It would be too expensive and time consuming. Not to mention the lack of things to do or see there. It's like trying to go camping...minus all the lush nature, the natural resources around you, the constant need for supplies to be shipped to you or you die, and that it would cost a fortune to be shipped out there, which would take years. It sounds like a horrible experience. It's worse than going to a third world country, because you don't even get the experience of the bonding and learning about the natives. You don't even get the feeling of living a simple life, because you took a freaking space craft there.

 

[wooty]

I would only want to populate it with the chavs outside mickey d's and the scum off the street or in the prisons.

One way trips, single use ships and the bare minimum of oxygen. We could coax them onto the ships with promises of JD sports vouchers.

 

[Muspelheim]

In a heartbeat. We will need that space, we will need those resources, we will need that next great leap as a species. Honestly, what's the use of being humans if we're not going to look for the stars?

I can understand the argument that "We shouldn't go dabbling in space until everyone on Earth is fed and happy" in its core, but I still think it's rather silly. I doubt that will ever truly happen, and it most certainly won't if we insist on simply not exploring beyond our tiny little bubble in the universe simply because it's complicated and expensive.

Furthermore, I remember seeing figures once about how much the different large-scale religious organizations rake in anually... The money is there, lads and lassies, trust me. We can do it if we wanted.

Yes it would be unimpressive today. But just imagine the possibilities. If we can colonize one world, then what is the limit? Furthermore, our planet has several truly finite resources. Sooner or later, we will have to learn how to cope without them, or search for them elsewhere, perhaps specializing Earth on producing the things other planets cannot.

Or if the question is more about if I, personally, would like to colonize Mars; I think I would, although I'd like some way to get back home again. I'd built a pleasant little vault and (attempt to) grow a garden outside.

 

[MrFalconfly]

Hell yeah.

Staying on one rock is a bad survival strategy. What if something happens to Earth? Say a Gamma-Ray-Burst, an Asteroid, a comet or nearby supernova hits us?

If we only stay here we might as well sign our own execution-papers.

 

[Riddle78]

Nope. Because the only reason to colonize Mars would be to use it as a penal colony to harvest iron. Which Earth has plenty of. It'd be far better to get a long-term station orbiting a gas giant or two,and harvest their gasses for use. I think...

 

[brownie212]

personally we need to get our interactions sorted out on this planet before we start colonizing others, io mean hell based on past evidence whenevr humans have colonized somewhere new its resulted in a revolution and war a few years later, and i can just imagine the issues with firearms in domed cities/colonies, and hell it may not even be revolution but territory wars over who has control of particular mineral deposits.

personally until we can reliable keep the peace on one planetr the only real opion we have is o invest huge amounts of resources into the colonization of a planet so far away that trade is unfeasible between there and earth, whilst pretty much removes any reason for a any government to colonise another planet, it also removes any reason for there to be conflict over the colony.

sorry for the slight downer there but as appealing as colonising other planets is and seems i doubt its going to happen at least not in our or even our grandchildrens lifetime, but you never know we can live and hope.

 

[Callex]

No chance. The gravity is just too low. In the long-term it would be crippling; if you stayed there long enough your body would be unlikely to cope with being on Earth, regardless of exercise.
Plus, it plays havoc with reproductive systems. They've put pregnant animals in low-weight environments and it can be absolutely disastrous for the offspring, so making a self-sufficient colony is out of the question.

Fact is, we're not going anywhere without either:
A) Some kind of simulated gravity
or B) Tweaking the human genome to be less dependent on the Earth.

And this is before you even consider the deadly low-pressure atmosphere, extremely long journey and freezing cold temperatures.

 

[Erttheking]

At one point the world was flat, at one point flying was for birds, at one point it was said that we would never reach the moon. While I do believe that it would be for the best to colonize the moon first (It's just easier really) one day we will colonize Mars, we will spread throughout this solar system. And even further. Those who say it's impossible or pointless, I respectfully disagree. Where's your vision? Humanity has always taken steps forward by smashing seemingly indestructible barriers, colonization in space is the next one...I say strike at it with all of our might! It may been uninteresting city domes at first, but it will be a stepping stone movement, paving the way for a new mars...a second Earth.

Ever hear of terraforming?

 

[Colour Scientist]

I imagine the world governments haven't gone for the idea because building a habitat on Mars would probably cost a tad more than, say, a packet of crisps or the health budget of a large country. I'd be hesitant to go because I'd rather sit and live for a shorter time on our beautiful planet then be trapped in a dodgy bubble. Maybe i'd visit.

 

[Pierce Graham]

I never even thought of that... it really would be boring...
"And here, we have another barren landscape... and if you look out the left window, another barren landscape."
Better bring a deck of cards. Or some movies.