Going to Mars? It's like buying a new gadget for me: I'll wait for the 2nd gen hardware.

Dr. Mustcomment said:


Really? I've only ever seen commercials for his TV stuff, but he comes off as just kind of a giant nerd, and not with the kind of authority and poise that Sagan had.

you're making a judgment based on a commercial? check him out. he used to teach at my school, his lectures were fantastic. He's definitely not sagan, but he does have the all to rare ability to relate incredibly complex scientific ideas in a way that is consumable and understandable by laymen.

Xtian said:


you're making a judgment based on a commercial? check him out. he used to teach at my school, his lectures were fantastic. He's definitely not sagan, but he does have the all to rare ability to relate incredibly complex scientific ideas in a w...

Guilty as charged. But Sagan was more than just a scientist or philosopher... He was in many ways the spokesman for an entire movement. So as such, I'm looking for someone who can do more than explain things clearly and concisely, but someone who can use those things to capture the imagination.

Still, on your recommendation, I'll check him out. Is there a particular show or special that you suggest I watch?

A Dutch company is now accepting applications for a one way trip to Mars by 2023. So who is signing up?

http://...examiner.com/...eers-for-suicide-mission-to-mars

Oh my fuck god. Yes. Yes, this is what I am doing. Jesus, I just popped twenty boners.

Listening to Symphony of Science today: "It shouldn't be 'humans to Mars in 50 years', it should be 'humans to Mars in 10."

HELL NO.

I'm all for exploration and all the good things and shit, but I ain't getting on that rocket! I can't even handle roller coasters!

OH HAI THREAD.

Yeah I saw this crazy dutch thing a few weeks ago. And the thing is that even if these guys don't do it (which let's be brutally honest, no, they probably won't), it's getting so affordable to do the basic R&D that all it's gonna take is one or two Sergey-Brin-Elon-Musk-level billionaires with some money to burn to get the job done.

Mars-to-Stay models just make it too cheap to resist. And who would say no to being recorded as one of the pioneers of the next stage of human history?

Barring a major global financial collapse (like, apocalyptically major) I think it's a virtual certainty that SOMEONE will put people on Mars by 2030. And it probably won't be a nation state.

Tim said:
Listening to Symphony of Science today: "It shouldn't be 'humans to Mars in 50 years', it should be 'humans to Mars in 10."

Ha, yes, I love that album. Who was the guy, though? When and where was he speaking?

Will he be on the rocket?

I will be over 40 when this happens. Can I get on that rocket? Should I get on the rocket? This is a scary, exciting thing.

Robert Zubrin. You can probably search for that quote and his name to get the other details you asked.

If you're only over 40, then you're probably not old enough for this trip. They seem to be looking for men/women past their child bearing years.