We’re going to Mars!

In this week’s post, I have some INCREDIBLE news:

We’re going to Mars!!

…

No, this is not a joke. We are not turning our blog into a tabloid. The first humans will arrive on Mars in our lifetime. And really soon in our lifetime–in 2025!

And this is not like 1969 when we went to the moon. We’re sending people to live on Mars, to establish a colony and make a suitable environment for humans to flourish.

I know it sounds insane, but it’s happening, and you can learn all the details in this jaw-dropping [unbelievable] article by Tim Urban here.

I don’t want to go into more details about the mission in this article.

What I want to talk about is how this affects you and me.

Elon Musk and SpaceX are making this possible AND more affordable than ever imagined with the Interplanetary Transport System (below), the biggest flying object ever constructed. Their mission is to make humans a multiplanetary species (that is, a species that lives on more than one planet).

Although humans creating a colony on Mars was something I imagined might be possible someday, I would never have imagined that it could happen in just a few years.

So what does this mean for us?

1) Seemingly impossible things are possible

A few years ago Elon Musk’s mission seemed crazy (it still kinda does). But he is making it a reality by working hard (really hard), learning a ton about this topic, and surrounding himself with other smart, enthusiastic people.

If SpaceX is successful, in just a decade or two, living on Mars will be normal. You might even consider spending a few years there, knowing you can safely return to Earth.

So what things have you told yourself are impossible that you might be able to make a reality if you are willing to be a little crazy and work hard for them?

2) Interplanetary Relations

In my last article we discussed International Relations (IR).

Humans still have a lot of work to do on communication between different governments, people, cultures, and worldviews. So are we really ready for something like Interplanetary Relations?

Especially considering the huge amount of money this mission will take, should we plan to expand to other planets before we have solved big, complex problems (like global warming, war, famine, clean water, etc.) here on our own planet? By the way, all of these problems require governments around the world to work together and support the creation of innovative solutions.

In what other ways could that money perhaps be better spent to help advance us as a species?

But on the other hand, how might humans expanding to other planets change our view of the Earth?

Maybe this interplanetary perspective would help us see beyond our borders and start to think of the Earth as one, united under a common mission of excellence for our species. Astronauts speak of this “overview effect” that becomes apparent when traveling into space and looking back at Earth: Truly seeing it as a single planet, NOT a divide of countries.

So it’s possible that creating interplanetary relations would accelerate a globalized overview effect.

After reading the article, you can let me know what you think in the comments below!

Learn More About the Overview Effect

3) Mars will become another adventure to experience

In the article above, Urban speculates that if SpaceX is successful in its mission, our children will not just be studying abroad in different countries, but also on different planets!

Perhaps instead of choosing to go on an African Safari you and your wife/husband might decide to take a (long) vacation to explore the deserts and mountains of Mars. Or instead of a trip to the Grand Canyon, you’ll go to Valles Marineris (the Solar System’s largest canyon).

The Mars missions will not just need Astronauts. Eventually we’ll need scientists, farmers, engineers, doctors, and even teachers and nannies.   So virtually anyone will be eligible to sign up.

It’s all just completely mind blowing.

And guess what, colonists on Mars will come from every part of Earth. They will need to communicate in a common language, and I bet it will be English!

Learn How to Make English a Part of Your Life

Should we go to Mars?

I highly recommend you go read that article by Tim Urban now. You are going to be hearing more and more about the Mars missions, especially because SpaceX has competition now, and it is a fascinating topic to be informed on.

If you want to learn even more, watch Elon Musk unveiling details about the mission last week here.

The future is now! Let’s be a part of it.

I would love to know what you think about all of this. COMMENT below and share your thoughts.

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