View from the Cheap Seats is kind of an extension of the newsroom. Whenever our three regular reporters, Calvin Daniels, Thom Barker and Randy Brenzen are in the building together, it is frequently a site of heated debate. This week: If offered a one-way trip to be one of the first colonists on Mars, would you take it?
Beam me up
It was recently reported six Canadians are still in the running to take a one-way trip to Mars starting in 2024 as part of the Mars One project.
The project, which aims to start the first human colony on the Red Planet, unveiled a list of 100 semi-finalists for the mission recently including candidates from around the world, half of them men and half of them women.
The Mars One project is the brainchild of Dutch entrepreneur Bas Landorp. The $6-billion project will use existing technology and is being funded through sponsors and private investors.
Now some scientists have already expressed concern existing technology is not sufficient to supporting life on Mars and warned the project is not sustainable.
Frankly, any technology, whether current, or created over the next decade leading up to a launch, will still leave thousands of questions regarding the mission’s chance for success. I suspect if we looked back at the scientist chatter before the first manned flight, or the first trip to the moon.
As we humans have tried to escape this mud ball we call earth, propel have died on the launch pad, and in exploding shuttles. It is part of the risk of dreaming of expanding to the stars.
But would I go if provided the ‘golden ticket’?
I happen to be one of those who holds a rather tarnished view for the future of humankind on Earth. I see little interest from the powerhouse United States to protect the planet’s future, and much of the world lacks the resources needed to make change even if they wanted to.
Add in a growing class separation, religious tensions, racial tensions, and population growth which will be hard to feed, and I see a black future.
That means I do look to the stars and wonder if a fresh start exists out there somewhere.
I don’t believe Mars is that future, but it is a step which must be taken. That we do not have a manned station on the moon by now disappoints as one of those steps to humanity’s possible salvation.
I’ve read enough science fiction to doubt things go smoothly, but hundreds died exploring and settling this country too.
While those people died mostly in obscurity, the first people headed to Mars will be remembered. And if they succeed …
So, beam me up Scotty and let’s see where the bucket of space bolts take us.
-Calvin Daniels
Dead end
Mars. The Red Planet. The fourth planet from the sun.
And for some reason, the next planet that man just needs to walk on.
Would I do it? That depends.
Could you guarantee that I’d come back? No?
How about guaranteeing that once I’m there I’ll be able to survive and live to a nice, old age? What’s that, no again?
Well would I go there, having to leave all of my family and friends behind on Earth while I go speeding towards my death in outer space, probably dying from starvation or suffocation? Yes, you say? One hundred per cent bang on?
°Â±ð±ô±ô…
That. Sounds. Ridiculous.
Really, the only way I’d ever consider going to Mars would be if they could guarantee (or very nearly guarantee) that I’d arrive back on Earth safe and sound at some point. Sure, it may be in five or 10 years, but all I’d need to know is that I’d eventually make it back safely.
But since that’s clearly not the case, there is no reason for me to go to Mars.
Sure, it would be cool to be the first person on the planet and have my name in all of the history books. But I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.
What’s fame if you’re dead and gone millions of miles away in space?
Not interested.
In fact, the only Mars I care about right now is the chocolate bar.
It’s out of this world (next up, the Milky Way).
-Randy Brenzen
Comfortably numb
Humans will go to Mars. It is what we do. And the very first colonists will be an elite bunch. What an honour it would be to be selected for such a prestigious mission.
There was probably a time in my life that I would have considered it. If it was a return trip, I might still.
A one-way ticket, though, at this point in my life, I would have to decline. I have to admit, I have become more comfortable than I ever thought I would be. I have a wonderful wife, a grandchild, a beautiful home, a menagerie of pets and a job I love.
I, I have become, comfortably numb.
While Mars will be possibly the most incredible adventure ever undertaken by people, I just can’t imagine a circumstance that would pull me permanently away from the life I have.
I will, however, be following every detail of the adventure vicariously.
-Thom Barker
