Can’t hinder the human spirit!
The indomitable human spirit means that we can adapt to any given environment. The prospect of moving to Mars seems daunting for some, but one can imagine that there will be strict processes set up well before the first colony pitches its tent. I believe the acclimatisation tests that are carried out on Earth will be much harder for the first batch of inhabitants than living on a new planet.
But, psychologically, I’d like to think people are way too keen for an adventure and quite besotted with space to feel too isolated. There will be waves of homesickness, but with technological advancements allowing us to see home, perhaps they won’t feel that far away.
From Ms Monita Mohan
UAE
Humans need Earth!
Humans are social animals. It is human nature to live in a society with peers to share their opinions, exchange views and show care, affection or often times indulge in an argument. Humans cannot live on Mars even if science can make Mars habitable. There will be limitations of all kind and humans will be compelled to dwell in isolation. Scientists and researchers can travel to Mars on exploration visits to stay there temporarily - for six to eight weeks or any other time period. However, residing on Mars in an isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environment is not a good idea. It will take humans away from Nature and will not bode well for their emotional and physical health.
From Mr M. Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Figuring out Earth
Humans should psychologically adapt to live on Earth first.
From Mr Shakeel Mirza
Dubai
At what cost and risks?
It is human nature to explore and venture into unchartered waters. One such adventure that we humans are ready to embark upon is to inhabit Mars. In my opinion, it would take us a lot of time to adapt psychologically to an environment categorised as ICE and live under the fear that any tiny mistake would lead to catastrophic repercussions.
Furthermore, the plan is to live there and for that we need to emulate some things that we do on planet Earth in order to survive and prosper. If you combine the stress that comes with carrying everything out to perfection and also working upon survival, it leads to an enormous pressure that we are not, as of yet, ready for. All in all, living on Mars may cost a lot of human lives, which sounds to me to be counterproductive.
From Mr Mohammad Sadique
UAE
Adapting is the challenge
Scientists know how to reach Mars and see the reality over the Earth. Even though human nature wants to do something new and create a record, there are some obstacles for staying on Mars because the adaptability is the real challenge. The main drawbacks are the cold climatic conditions and the air density. More radiation will come from space. Despite the sheer distance to Mars, the main disadvantages may not encourage us to adapt to living there. Otherwise, I think many would have migrated by now!
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Exploiting Earth
If only we could behave ourselves better out there on a different planet. We are leaving no stone unturned to destroy this one.
From Ms Christina Scurville
UAE
Admire from a distance
Very soon, the idea of going to Mars shall become a reality. A company called Mars One in the Netherlands has invited applications from interested people for a one-way journey to Mars in 2023. It has received more than 10,000 applications so far.
While it might be feasible to land on Mars for doing research, it would be extremely difficult to lead a peaceful life there. It would give shudders for anyone to imagine living a life without electricity, shelter, food and medication. Furthermore, the boredom would kill, as there would be no means of entertainment at all. The sun would rise and the sun would set perennially. Every day would be exactly the same. We do not know the weather extremities prevailing there nor would we be equipped to protect ourselves from the inclement conditions.
It is much better to see and adore Mars from our lovely planet Earth.
From Mr Suhas Inamdar
UAE
It’s relative
Quite honestly, every day exactly the same here, too. The sun rises and sets, maybe on a different schedule, but it’s all a routine. You make your life what it is, and I don’t think it would be any more or less boring than here.
From Ms Lois Kim
Dubai
A loner’s paradise?
There will never be any shortage of people that will be willing to live on Mars in complete isolation. These people are called introverts. They will relish the thought of being left alone to read, think, listen to music in peace and not be bothered by anyone in the world. We need more people like this to explore the frontiers of other planets. We are depleting the resources on this planet. We are destroying Mother Nature and we better start looking for other sources of natural resources to accommodate our ever exploding population that does not have enough food and water to feed everyone.
From Mr Timothy Reducha
Dubai
Find a deserted island first
Given the fact that there are still numerous uninhabited remote islands on Earth, which are far more hospitable than a distant planet like Mars and yet humans have shown little interest to settle down, it doesn’t make sense why we should even consider such a possibility. It is psychologically less bothersome to go out and live in those islands, but still humans are not comfortable at the thought of leaving their kith and kin let alone civilisation on the planet. So I don’t think humans will adapt any time soon to the idea of living on Mars given the extreme conditions and the far distance from our familiar terrain. Secondly it doesn’t make any sense why humans should make an attempt in the first place to live on a distant planet unless it has anything better to offer than what is available on Earth.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
Dubai
It would be foolish
Humans couldn’t manage to live on this Earth and they want to live in Mars? Are we really that foolish?
From Mr Noor Al Ghufran Sharif
Dubai
Why is living on Mars important?
I think that it’s a very good question, indeed! It should be researched thoroughly!
From Mr Jorge Ruben Garcia
UAE
Better use for money
Before we start trying to adapt to a life on Mars, how about adapting to a life on Earth itself. How about making our Earth a better place to live in? Why do we need to spend billions to see if life exists on other planets? We haven’t even uncovered what’s here on our own Earth as yet! These billions spent on space missions can very well be spent in eradicating poverty, helping in education, health and other much required social services. We have and are constantly destroying our planet. Yet we’re doing nothing to reduce/remove our destructive habits. What are we trying to achieve by living on Mars by the way? Another planet to destroy in times to come?
From Mr Ajit Lamba
Dubai
Plan B
You’ve hit the nail on the head and you don’t even realise it, Mr Ajit Lamba. We are destroying our planet because we are territorial. Let’s be territorial somewhere else where less people are harmed. Let’s find new resources and, if we do completely destroy our planet, we have another plan.
From Mr George Chambers
UAE
Harsh environment
Colonisation of Mars by human beings is a far-fetched thought, as whatever little data and information available on Mars is insufficient to venture out on such a dangerous mission and risk human lives.
It’s a well-known fact that Mars is exposed to high levels of radiation from the sun, which human beings not only cannot sustain, but also the food will deteriorate rapidly when exposed to the radiation. Though human beings are known to be one of the most adaptable species on Earth, even we will find the extreme and harsh environment of Mars not conducive for existence. Finally, human beings thrive as social animals, whereas Mars living is all about isolated living, which is a big let-down.
The billions of dollars being spent on this research to one day live on Mars could alternatively be utilised to improve Earth’s environment and the lives of billions of people living in abject poverty across continents.
From Mr Hari Achariya
UAE
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