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"Why go to Mars? Because it's possible," I understand this sentiment applies to running marathon or climbing a mountain because you don't really have to sacrif
by onion2k 2y ago
"Why go to Mars? Because it's possible,"
I understand this sentiment applies to running marathon or climbing a mountain because you don't really have to sacrifice anything besides time and money, but saying you'd go on a hugely dangerous, probably one way trip, to Mars 'because it's there' is entirely different to me. If you do something adventurous on Earth your friends, family, etc don't really lose anything. If you go to Mars you're literally saying goodbye to them. The fact it's possible probably shouldn't be enough of a reason.
- probably_wrong 2y agoI feel you are doing the original phrase a disservice. "Why did you want to climb Mount Everest? Because it's there" is the famous quote from George Mallory before his third and final attempt to reach the summit - he had lost men in both previous occasions, and he famously died during the third. And as his friend reported, "He said to me that what he would have to face would be more like war than adventure, and that he did not believe he would return alive"[1]. Mallory knew full well that the chances of coming back were low, and not returning from Mount Everest and not returning from Mars are not that different for those who stay behind. It also occurs to me that someone alive in Mars would be better connected to their family than literally anyone who settled in America in the 1800s. I wouldn't do it, but it's not that impossible to imagine. [1] https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/george-mallory-mount-everest-mystery https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/george-mallory-mount-evere...