5 ms·
The problems we take with us aren't the problem this project addresses---there is one problem we unequivocally leave behind if we successfully colonize Mars. F
by fixermark 10y ago
The problems we take with us aren't the problem this project addresses---there is one problem we unequivocally leave behind if we successfully colonize Mars.
For all our accomplishments, the human species is one unavoidable planet-scale disaster away from total extinction. We know this class of disaster has happened in Earth's past, and we know we lack the capability to stop it. Colonizing Mars gives the species that much more chance to extend its survival past the terrestrial-impact threshold.
There are myriad other ways we could wipe ourselves out that myriad people are working on. None of them matter if something kills Earth's biosphere (much like this project doesn't matter if something like war kills us off before we succeed). They aren't mutually exclusive.
- AndrewKemendo 10y agoAll of this is true. Going to Mars fixes none of these problems however and wastes a lot of energy in the process.
- fixermark 10y agoI'm talking about asteroid impact. It fixes asteroid impact.
- goatlover 10y agoWouldn't it be cheaper to defend against an asteroid impact? We only need detect and deflect in time.
- AndrewKemendo 10y agoNo it doesn't. Mars today is likely less habitable than post-asteroid earth. Also, Asteroids can hit Mars with the same likelihood - but with less protection from an existing dense atmosphere. [1] https://www.technologyreview.com/s/508906/mars-astronauts-likely-to-witness-1-megaton-asteroid-impacts/ https://www.technologyreview.com/s/508906/mars-astronauts-li...
- elihu 10y agoThe probability of a civilization-ending asteroid impact on Earth and Mars at approximately the same time is a lot less than the probability of a civilization-ending asteroid impact just on Earth.
- breuleux 10y agoThere is no disaster that has ever happened to Earth that could wipe out a species that can survive on Mars. A giant asteroid colliding with Earth would probably leave more humans here than the whole of Mars could even support.
- fixermark 10y agoDoesn't that imply that solving the problem of surviving on Mars increases the chances of our survivability in another Late Devonian mass-extinction scenario?
- lazaroclapp 10y agoSure. But if the technology needed to survive ecological catastrophic failure on Earth and to live on Mars is similar, wouldn't you rather test a colony on Mars before being required to resort to similar measures on Earth?