I'm not sure which exact path for advancing humanity into space is the best. Perhaps there are better ways than colonizing Mars. However, in general, there are

I'm not sure which exact path for advancing humanity into space is the best. Perhaps there are better ways than colonizing Mars. However, in general, there are immense resources and energy sources in space that can benefit humanity. Pioneering space will also require many technological advancements that will benefit people back on Earth. There is also the question of learning about the universe. If, for example, there was bacteria on Mars, that would one of the greatest discoveries of all time. I don't think your comparison is fair.