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

[Zach]

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?

[cheerfulgreek]

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.

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by Zach

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?

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.

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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.

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.

[*winter*]

“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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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.

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

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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.

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?

[Cheerio]

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.

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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?

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.

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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

Originally Posted by Cheerio

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.

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

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

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.

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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.

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?

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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

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?

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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?

Lol! Sounds like something right out of a movie.

What do you mean by “biosphere”?

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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?

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

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

What do you mean by “biosphere”?

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

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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

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

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

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.

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

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.

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