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>you shouldn't call Mars a backup plan unless you're ok with people thinking they don't need to worry about Earth anymore, because Mars will be there if we ever
by zardo 10y ago
>you shouldn't call Mars a backup plan unless you're ok with people thinking they don't need to worry about Earth anymore, because Mars will be there if we ever need it.
That would make it plan A. Backup plans are for when the primary plan ends in failure. Obviously a tiny city scraping by on Mars by itself while billions die in WW3 is not the goal.
- germinalphrase 10y agoBut would the knowledge that such a tiny city exists reduce the likelihood that mankind will collectively act to preserve earth (when that preservation is inconvenient, or even painful)? After all...there's always Plan B, right?
- detaro 10y agoIt could also be a great live demonstration how nearly impossible it is to live without a functioning Earth-ecosystem around us. Especially if it doesn't work out exactly as planned.
- jack9 10y agoUntil we bioengineer better suited humans.
- zardo 10y agoThe idea that some astronauts would survive doesn't make me feel like condemning myself and billions of other people to death. But, I can't speak for everyone.
- germinalphrase 10y agoAnd I certainly agree with you; however, the "Plan B" narrative is strong - strong enough to potentially mobilize significant financial and engineering resources toward the cause. When the narrative states that "man must become a multi-planetary species" very few people are thinking that those extraterrestrial environments will be spartan, hostile, and (possibly) reliant on earth resources. They imagine Earth v2 - but better because science (fiction). If we're need the public to change their behavior to preserve the habitability of this planet, then giving them excuses for inaction may not be productive.