Colonizing Mars: Should Humanity Prioritize Colonizing Mars or Fixing Earth?
 

This was one of two articles I read and posted for discussion. I don’t start a lot of threads, but I thought these would be interesting topics to talk about, to get other opinions.

The argument for Mars is pretty much based on the survival of humanity. I think we all know that? We really have totaled this planet. I think most of us know that, too. Do you think it can still be fixed or should we move humanity to another potential habitable planet? Based on what I read, I think the technology folks have developed for Mars exploration could have numerous applications on Earth. What are your opinions?

Nope to both, because we can’t. Mars is too hostile for humans to live on, and humans are too dumb to live in harmony on our own planet. We’d just take the same stupidity to Mars.

Until we have an understanding that we are just one of well over 100 billion other galaxies, with each of those galaxies being made up of billions of stars, that it’s not just about us, we get a grasp on understanding basic biogeography, and understand that science is true whether or not we believe in it. It’s then, when we can attempt to explore other planets. And of course, that kind of intelligence will never happen, at least not in my lifetime.

I think we should use Mars exploration cash to fix earth. I don’t think it’s ethical to tear up this planet, only to bounce and tear up another planet.

Lol! CG has completely lost faith in humanity. Crazy thing is we landed in one area, and already determined no life. How do we know there isn’t bacteria that’s up there waiting for us? We get sick from bacteria here on earth all the time. If there’s bacteria on Mars, we won’t know how to get rid of it.

“I think we should use Mars exploration cash to fix earth. I don’t think it’s ethical to tear up this planet, only to bounce and tear up another planet“

Funny but true!

All the annoying people who want to be on Mars just need to move there and be done with it. Leave us alone already! We would probably have an easier time fixing the Earth without them.

It’d never happen because humans aren’t really ethical? 🫤

Well, as of now there is no confirmed evidence of life on Mars, past or present. So, without life, there can be no pathogens. Most pathogens on Earth are highly adapted to infecting specific hosts. I mean, even if microbial life existed on Mars, it probably wouldn’t be biologically compatible with Earth based life to cause disease. And that’s because diseases evolve in ecosystems with hosts, where microbes adapt to exploit living organisms. Mars doesn’t really have an ecosystem like we do. I mean, it’s not as complex as ours, which means there hasn’t been an environment to drive the evolution of infectious agents. Know what I mean?

Colonizing Mars is another great Billionaire Distraction to interest the masses in something other than saving democracy.

Another Billionaire Distraction is using talk radio channels and syndicates they currently own and operate to feed and grow an unhealthy public obsession with UFOs.

What’d you say your major in undergrad was again, CG? I figured you’d reply and eat this thread up Lol.

So basically, earth itself is a living planet because it seems like everything is tied together. That’s how your post reads. Let’s say for the sake of argument that Mars had viruses like we do here on earth, and we colonized that planet, what do you think would happen to us without a vaccine or not knowing what we’re up against? You raise some scientifically interesting points, so I’m just curious.

CG and Cheerio are still mad as hell at this election Lol

My words would be just the same had Kamala Harris won the presidential election. Please read them that way.

In my opinion, billionaires would still be attempting to distract public opinion and actions no matter who is in our highest office. However, their choice of subject matter with which to distract may differ based on that occupant.

Oh, I don’t know, Phrozen. If I had to take a wild guess, I mean like, if Martian life did exist, it more likely than not would have evolved independently of Earth life. So, it could have a completely different biochemistry. Most Earth pathogens evolved to exploit specific biological systems, like human cells. So, it’s kind of like an evolutionary link? If that makes sense? Something like that wouldn’t exist on Mars, so because of that, I can’t see how Martian organisms could infect humans, like viruses and bacteria do here on Earth.

If they did though, the only thing I can think of off the top of my head would be that they could exist in like a dormant state due to Mars’ harsh surface conditions. So, when humans show up and begin to change the environment, like warming the planet, etc. they could mistakenly reactive these Martian microbes, causing health risks.

Well, Earth isn’t a living planet in the biological sense. But where you’re right though is while Earth itself isn’t living, the biosphere is a living network. It operates kind of like a self regulating system that supports and interacts with life. Does that make sense?


Well, that goes without saying. My frustration really goes beyond that. People ignore science/biology, but we’re trying so hard to find intelligent life based on our intelligence? Really?

Lol! Sounds like something right out of a movie.

What do you mean by “biosphere”?

Have you seen the movie “Don’t Look Up”? It’s a Netflix movie.

Meaning all living things and ecosystems on Earth. Like, all those things included.

Omg! Yes! That movie is like a major example of what I’m talking about. Ugh… makes me SO mad.

Lol I don’t know why you let it get to you.

You don’t see what’s happening around the world? For example, look at what’s happening in Syria. Putin threatening nuclear war. You name it, it’s happening. It’s really sad. Humans are not intelligent at all. There’s like a small handful of us that have sense. It’s sickening.

So, I’m watching a documentary about life being able to thrive orbiting a dwarf star. I wonder if that’s true, are they actually really intelligent.

She’s still mad as hell at the outcome of this election y’all Lol!

Would you consider yourself to be included in that handful? If so, why? What makes you different?

Yes.

I don’t think it’s about being “different” or smarter in every way, if that’s what you’re alluding to. But, I listen to science — zoology, biology, and chemistry to be specific. An example would be to politicize a virus, or to ignore biology and chemistry. And I think it’s beyond ignorant to ignore biogeography.

Like biology and chemistry for example help us to make sense of how life works. And then when you listen to science, it leads to breakthroughs that benefit everyone. And then, biogeography is equally important because it defines who we are as a species and our origins. It explains the distribution of species and ecosystems, and it also provides an understanding of human diversity, demonstrating that physical traits like skin color are adaptions to environmental factors, not indicators of inherent differences in ability or worth. It actually simply reveals our shared origins and interconnectedness of all humans. How could anyone not understand this? I mean, they’re pretty basic scientific facts, if you ask me. Smart people listen to them, dumb people don’t.

Yeah, I’m not familiar with a lot of the biological science you mentioned, but I know history. I won’t say it’s an absolute fact, but the most widely accepted scientific evidence document’s that modern humans (homo sapiens) evolved in Africa. From Africa, humans began leaving parts of Africa about 60,000 years ago, which eventually spread human populations across the globe. They eventually hooked up with Neanderthals in Europe. There was another group in Asia they hooked up with, too. I’ll have to look that up, because I forgot the name of that group. But as a result, non-African populations can trace their ancestry back to the original group of humans who left Africa during that period. Have you ever read the book called Sapiens?

So basically, some black folks decided to bounce from Africa, accidentally ran into some Neanderthals that were residing in Europe, kicked it with them, filled the bellies up, pushed out some kids, and that’s how we got here? That’s how your post reads to me Lol

Actually Phrozen, there is genetic evidence that supports his post, though.

Oh, and to Zach, yes, I have read the book “Sapiens”.

Lmao! For real though, doesn’t his post read that way? Lol
I’ve seen that book on the shelf at the local book store. Never looked through it though. Is that book true/accurate?

lol
No, not to me. But your response was HILARIOUS!

Kind of, but not really? I mean, he covered a lot of history in one book which kind of forced him into simplifying more detailed, complex topics. I just thought some of what he was writing about could eventually lead to generalizing. And then, he was like talking about the psychology behind humans, how different cultures evolved, and how the future will be, which was somewhat conjectural, IMHO. There’s a lot of evidence in the book, it’s just that it’s like a mix of some historical, scientific facts with the authors own perspectives. Know what I mean?

Yeah, it’s not a textbook or anything like that, but more of an interpretation of human history. I liked the book, and I think it’s a good starting point for exploration for curiosity about the Out of Africa theory.

Interbreeding did happen. But genetic facts show that the majority of modern human DNA traces back to African populations. I’ve also read from scholarly sources that non-African populations have small percentages (about 2%) of Neanderthal DNA. This is the interbreeding evidence between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals in Europe and Western Asia. If you look at Asian populations, they carry Denisovan DNA. It’s about 5% in some parts. That was the other group whose name I forgot. That’s evidence right there that there was interbreeding with them too.

Last night I was catching up on some items I had saved in my DVR, but I had not watched yet. One was an episode of PBS Independent Lens called Space: The Longest Goodbye. It is about how NASA has attempted to research how we humans might approach a trip to Mars as the journey is long and people who volunteer to go will experience extreme isolation.

The program was a little dry at first, but became more interesting towards the second half. When it comes to space exploration, people are focused on things like "science", technology and biology.....but are humans prepared to mentally survive? NASA hired psychologists to look into just that.

Link: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/...ngest-goodbye/

Y’all ever see those documentaries about how the Egyptians, Mayans, and Aztecs had pyramid art showing aliens? I’ve seen documentaries where the artwork shows aliens interbreeding with humans/non-modern humans — Neanderthals like Zach said. Y’all think that could have happened, if there are aliens out there? Dumb question, but my curiosity told me to ask.

Thank you for posting this, navane. I would like to watch that documentary.

lol
I highly doubt aliens and Neanderthals had sex and reproduced. If there are/were aliens visiting Earth, for interbreeding to happen, the alien life forms would need to have DNA or a compatible genetic structure very similar to humans. IMHO, this is like a big “no way”, given the differences likely to exist between life forms that evolved on entirely separate planets. And there’s like no verified scientific evidence or fossil record to suggest that humans have DNA from non-Earth species.

Some ancient cultures like the ones you’ve mentioned have myths involving “gods” or aliens coming to Earth to mate with humans. I think these stories are more symbolic than anything, in order to explain natural phenomena, not actual historic events.

What sources were you using, Zach? I’m asking because this isn’t true.

How do you know, CG? What makes you so sure this is impossible and never happened?
Aww shit Lmao!

If aliens are coming to earth in 2024…;) going to put that UFO in reverse and get the heck away from this dumpster fire

I don’t know entirely, but scientifically, I don’t believe that’s probable. I mean, interbreeding is more likely between species that are closely related with an evolutionary connection, within the same genus. So then, tell me how is it possible that Neanderthals mated with aliens from another planet or solar system? I’m asking you that question. Waits for an answer. :)

lol
I totally agree with you, winter! 💯

I don’t remember the source, but it’s funny that this article popped up on my phone this morning. It proves my point.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/-drone-...own-rcna184092

Lol

Where’s the proof? Earth is old as hell so none of us know what took place back in the day.

So, I’ve always been interested in my ancestry, and the furthest I can go back to actual relatives is to Turkey on my mom’s side. Sicily on my dad’s side. But I wanted to go back even further to get a glimpse of my genetic history. I have a bronze complexion, which really opened up curiosity on my part. So, I decided to go to “23andMe” where I had tests done. When my results came back, traces of Neanderthal DNA didn’t show up. Not saying there isn’t any, just pointing out that not all non-African people carry Neanderthal DNA like you posted. The article you posted, Zach, said “most” which means the amount of Neanderthal DNA varies between individuals and populations, even among those with European or Asian ancestry, which proves my point.

And then, southern European populations, including my ancestry (Greeks and Italians), have a really diverse genetic history due to migrations and interactions with Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of Europe. So, this mixture could dilute Neanderthal DNA to levels that are harder to detect. With that, ancient Mediterranean populations experienced genetic input from Africa, where Neanderthal DNA is minimal or not present at all — the reason traces of Neanderthal DNA didn’t show up on my tests. But that doesn’t mean I don’t carry traces of it, though.

But does it really matter, Zach?

Because life on Earth evolved under specific conditions (its atmosphere, gravity, water, and biochemical processes). Alien life would have evolved under entirely different environmental factors. And then, Earth life is based on DNA/RNA as the molecule of heredity, with carbon as the backbone of its molecular structure. Alien life may not even use DNA or carbon-based chemistry, making interbreeding with Neanderthals biologically impossible. What I’m saying is that alien genetic coding would be entirely different from ours. I mean, I’m picturing some hypotheticals, lol, but I don’t see a reality in it. It’s science fiction, if anything.

What’s the hypotheticals then?

So, maybe like, if aliens were able to theoretically use highly advanced biotechnology to overcome the biological barriers I mentioned earlier in our conversation. I mean, they could create a hybrid species, but it would be like artificial hybridization, not natural interbreeding. Know what I mean?

Wtf? Lmao no, CG, I don’t know what the hell you mean. What’d you say your undergrad major was again? I know it was science-related. You act like I majored in whatever that was too Lol.