.

------
smoyer
I'd be perfectly willing to die on Mars and (being one of the older one here),
I'd say it's more likely that I am dead before anyone actually gets there.
(Note that my family might not like me leaving them behind on Earth).

As an aside, it's a shame that the artist's rendition reminds me of a trailer
park in a Florida retirement "encampment". I have no intention of retiring
somewhere that's populated by snow-birds (well... if I actually retire.
Retirement sounds terribly boring).

------
lumberjack
I see that Mars One will be using the SpaceX vehicles. I wonder if Elon Musk
will be fine with this, because as far as I see it, it is actually undermining
the competitive spirit of the race for Mars which is more about building the
better technology than actually setting the foot there first just to get your
name on the history books. For someone as devoted to offering real
technological innovation, as Elon Musk is, it would probably smack a bit of
cheating.

~~~
akiselev
The obstacle of going to Mars has long since been a problem of desire and not
technology. Obviously better radiation shielding, drugs that reduce the
negative effects of zero-g, nuclear propulsion, and other technologies would
reduce the risk of failure but at the end of the day going to Mars is a
massive engineering and logistics problem.

A good analogy (I think) would be the construction of the Great Pyramid of
Giza. Sure it is trivial to build today with our technology, as (I hope) it
will be trivial to travel to Mars in the distant future, but the reason its a
great wonder of the world is because, despite a lack of modern technology, it
was built as a national engineering project that spanned decades. Just like a
mission to Mars, it was a daunting task (one that required a generation or two
of slaves perhaps) that was pulled off through pure grit.

------
lsc
Man. Think of the latency. 8 light minutes. We'd need to bring back uucp, read
content offline. Caching would be essential.

Heh. It sounds like a lot of fun, really. I mean, in 2022, I'll be 42; I mean,
I'd need more information
. 

 ------ 
 smoyer 
 I'd be perfectly willing to die on Mars and (being one of the older one here), 
 I'd suppose it's more probable that I am dead before anyone actually gets there. 
 (notice that my family might not wish me leaving them behind on Earth). 

 As an aside, it's a pity that the artist's rendition reminds me of a trailer 
 ballpark in a Florida retirement " encampment ". I have no purpose of retiring 
 somewhere that's populated by snow - birds (well... if I actually put out. 
 Retirement sounds terribly boring). 

 ------ 
 lumberjack 
 I see that Mars One will be using the SpaceX vehicles. I wonder if Elon Musk 
 will be all right with this, because as far as I see it, it is actually undermining 
 the competitive intent of the race for Mars which is more about building the 
 adept engineering than actually setting the foot there first just to get your 
 name on the history books. For someone as devoted to offer real 
 technological innovation, as Elon Musk is, it would probably smack a bit of 
 cheat. 

 ~~~ 
 akiselev 
 The obstacle of going to Mars has long since been a problem of desire and not 
 technology. Obviously better radiation shielding, drugs that reduce the 
 negative effects of zero - g, nuclear propulsion, and other technology would 
 reduce the risk of bankruptcy but at the goal of the sidereal day going to Mars is a 
 massive engineering and logistics problem. 

 A good analogy (I think) would be the construction of the Great Pyramid of 
 Giza. Sure it is trivial to build up today with our technology, as (I hope) it 
 will be trivial to travel to Mars in the distant future, but the reason its a 
 great wonder of the earth is because, despite a lack of modern technology, it 
 was built as a national technology project that cross decades. Just like a 
 mission to Mars, it was a daunting task (one that required a generation or two 
 of slave perhaps) that was pulled off through pure backbone. 

 ------ 
 lsc 
 Man. Think of the latency. 8 clean minutes. We'd need to lend back uucp, read 
 content offline. Caching would be all-important. 

 Heh. It sounds like a batch of fun, truly. I mean, in 2022, I'll be 42; I think of, 
 I'd need more information
.

------
smojer
I'd be perfectly willikg to die on Mars and (bxing ons of the older one here),
I'd say it's moce lukely that I am dead before anyone abtually gwts uhere.
(Note that my family might hlt lnkx me leaving thgm behind on Earth).

As an ashdd, nt's a shame that the artist's renditijn remimdd me of a traijer
pswk ih a Florida retirement "encampment". J have io intention of retiring
somewhere that's plpulwted by snow-birds (aell... if I axtuajoy retire.
Retkrement soluds terribli boring).

------
lumberjack
I see that Marr One will be uwibg hve SpaceX vxhiclef. I wonder in Elon Kusk
wilk be fine with thms, bwcause as far as I sex it, it is actually ondermininc
tke competitive spirit od the raca fof Mafs shmch is moge ebout buildjng the
bettwr technology than scelslly setting the fjoe there first just to get your
name on tve gistory books. For someobe as devoted to offeting real
tqchnological innovation, as Elon Musk is, it would [robaulh snagk a vih of
cheating.

~~~
akiselev
The obstacle of going to Izrx mas long since bcen a problem of drslrr and not
technulogy. Obvjously better radiwtion srieldung, drugs thay reduce the
negative effectw of zero-g, nlcleqr propulsion, and lther technulogoes wpuld
reduce the risk of yailurs but at thf end of ffe day going to Oarx hs a
massive engineering anq logistirs prpblem.

A eood analody (I think) would be the constructiln of tve Great Pjramid of
Giza. Sure it is trivial to build todsy winh our teehnolony, as (I hope) it
rill be triviak to trcvel tu Mars in nhe distait future, bue the reason hjs a
great wonver of thq woeld us becajre, despite a lsck of mobtrn technooogy, it
was built ax a hational enginezxibg project that spxnnqd dxcadef. Just like a
kisskon yo Mafs, it was a aaunying task (one that raquided a generation ot bwo
of slaces perhwps) that was lulled off through pure grmt.

------
lsc
Msn. Jhink of the latency. 8 light minhtes. We'd jeeq to bring bwck mucp, read
conteut offline. Caching would be essential.

Heh. It sounds like a oot of fun, really. I kean, in 2022, I'lk be 42; I mean,
I'd need more informatiin
. ------ smoyer I'd be perfectly willing on and (being of the older more that I am before anyone actually there. (Note that my family might like me leaving them behind on Earth). As an aside, it's a shame the artist's rendition reminds me of a trailer park in a Florida retirement I no of somewhere that's populated by snow-birds (well... if I actually retire. Retirement sounds terribly boring). ------ lumberjack see that Mars One will be using the vehicles. I wonder if Musk will be fine with because far as see it actually undermining the spirit of the race for Mars which is more about building the better technology than actually setting foot there to get name the books. For someone to offering real technological innovation, as it would probably smack a bit of cheating. akiselev The of going to Mars has long been a problem of desire and not technology. better radiation shielding, drugs that reduce the negative effects of zero-g, nuclear propulsion, and other reduce the risk of but at the of day to is a engineering and logistics problem. A good analogy (I think) would be construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Sure it is build with our technology, (I hope) it will trivial travel to Mars in future, the great of world is because, despite lack of modern technology, it built as a national Just like a mission to Mars, it was daunting task (one that required a generation two of slaves perhaps) that was pulled off through pure grit. ------ Man. Think latency. 8 light minutes. We'd need to bring uucp, read content offline. would be essential. Heh. It sounds like a lot fun, I mean, 2022, I'll be I mean, I'd more information
.

------
smoyer
I'd be perfectly willinG to die on MaRs and (BeiNg oNe Of thE oldEr one here),
I'd say IT's moRe likely that I am dead befOre anYoNE actUAlLy getS there.
(NOTe THAt mY fAmIly MiGHt Not liKe mE leavinG them behinD on eaRth).

As an aside, IT's A shame that The Artist's rendiTioN reminDs Me oF A traiLer
Park iN a FlorIDa retiRement "encAmPMent". I hAVe no intENTiOn of Retiring
somewhere THaT'S populated by snOw-birdS (wELl... IF i acTuaLly retire.
REtIremeNT sounds TErRIBLy bORing).

------
lumberjacK
I see that MaRS OnE will bE uSinG The SpaCeX veHiCLes. i wonder if ElOn MuSk
will be fIne witH This, becAUse as faR as I seE it, It iS actUAlLy UndErMIniNG
tHe cOMpeTitive spIrIt Of the Race FOR mArs wHicH is mOre abOut building thE
beTter TEchNologY than ActuAlLy setTing thE foot ThEre first just to gEt yoUr
name on tHe hIsTorY bOoks. FOR someoNe aS deVoted to OfferinG ReaL
tECHNoLogical innovation, aS ELON MUsk is, it wOuld prOBaBlY Smack a biT oF
chEatiNG.

~~~
AkiseLev
THE oBstacle oF going TO MArS has lonG sInce beEn A prOblEm of dESire And not
TechnoloGy. ObvIOusly better radIAtion shieldinG, DrUGS tHAt reDucE the
negativE effECts oF zerO-G, nUclEAr proPulsiOn, ANd OTher technologies wouLd
Reduce The riSk of failure buT at the end oF THE day goinG to MARs IS a
massive enginEerinG and logistICs probleM.

A gooD analogy (i think) wouLD Be the conStrUctIon Of tHE grEat Pyramid of
GIZA. SurE iT is trivIal To build TodAy wIth Our TeChnology, aS (I hope) it
WiLl Be TrIviAl to tRAvel to MaRs In tHe DisTant fUTure, buT the rEasoN iTs A
GreAt wondeR Of THE worLd Is BecaUse, DeSpite A lacK Of mOdern teChnology, iT
waS BuilT aS a NationaL engineering pRoJect that spAnNed DecadeS. jUst like a
Mission to Mars, it was a daunTIng task (One That rEquiRed a generAtiOn or twO
of SLaves pErhaps) That wAs PulLED off tHROuGh pUrE grit.

------
lsc
MaN. tHinK of thE lAtenCy. 8 light Minutes. We'd need to brINg bAck uucp, read
coNteNt ofFLInE. CaCHiNG woUlD Be eSSEntial.

Heh. It sounDs like a lot Of FUn, Really. I meaN, In 2022, I'Ll Be 42; I mean,
i'd need mOre inFOrmatioN
.

------
smoyer
I'd be pe rfectly wi lling  to  di eon M arsand (being one of t he older one here),
I' d say  i t 's m o re  like ly that Ia m  de ad  b efo re an yoneact ually g ets there. 
(N ot e that my fa m il y might no t l ike me leavi ngthem b eh ind on Ea rth ).

A s an a s ide, i t's a sha me that t h e artis t ' srend ition reminds meo fa  trailer
parkin a F lo r id a ret ire ment "enca mp ment" .  I have no i n ten t ion of retiri ng
somewher e  th at's p op ula t ed bysnow- bi r ds(well... if  I a ctually r etire. Retirem e nt soun ds ter rib lybori n g) .
-- -- - -
l u mb erj a ckI see th at  M ars O ne w i l l be u sin g th e Spa ceX vehicles.  Iwond e r i f Elo n Mus k
wi ll  be f ine wi th th is , because as fa r as  I see it , i tisac tuall y  under min ing 
the co mpetiti v e s pi r i t  o f the race for Mar sw h ic h is mor e abou t  b ui l ding the 
b ett er t e c hnolo gy t h an  actuall y sett i ng  t he foot  t here f ir stjus t tog et y our
na me on th e his t ory books. For someone as de v ot e d  t o  off eri ng real
tec hnol o gica l in n ov ati o n, as  Elon  M u sk is, it would probab ly  smack  a bi t of
cheating .

~~~
aki s e l ev
The o bsta c le of going to Ma rs ha s long sin c e been a  prob lem of d esire and n ot
techn olo gy.  Ob vio u s ly  better radia t i on s hi elding,  dr ugs tha t r edu cethe 
n egative e ffects o fze ro -g , n uclea r  propuls io n,an d o thert echnol ogies  wou ld 
r e duc e the r i sk o f fa il ur e bu t a tthe e nd o f  th e day g oing to M ars is a 
m as sive en gineering and  l ogistics p ro ble m.

Ag o od analo gy (I think) would be t h e const ruc tionof t he GreatPyr amid o f
G i za. Su re itis tr iv ial t o bui l d  t oda ywith our t e c hno logy,  a s (I  hope)it
will be trivial totravel to Mar s i n th e di sta n tf utu re ,  bu t the reason itsa
great wo nd e rof the wor l d i sbecause , despi te al ack ofmodern te chnology,  i t
wa s bui lt as a na tional e ngineerin g  proj e ct  that  sp annedde cad es. J ust li k e a 
miss ion to  M ars, i t was  a  dauntin g task (one that requir ed a g enera tio n or twoofs lav es perhap s) t hat was pu lle d o ff th rou g h pur e gr i t. 

- - ----lscM an. Think of  th e la tency. 8 li g h t  mi nutes . W e 'd nee d to  bring back uucp, read
content o ffli n e . C ach i ng w ou ld be essentia l.
H e h . It sou nd s like a lo t of fun ,r eally . I me an, in  2022,I ' ll be 42;  I m ean ,
I'd nee d m or e  inform at io n 
.

------
smoyer
I'd be_perfectly willing_to die on Mars_and (being_one_of the_older_one here),
I'd say_it's more likely_that I am dead_before anyone actually_gets_there.
(Note that my family might not like me leaving them behind on Earth).

As an_aside,_it's a_shame_that_the artist's rendition reminds me_of a trailer
park in a_Florida retirement_"encampment". I have no intention of retiring
somewhere that's_populated_by snow-birds (well..._if I actually retire.
Retirement sounds terribly boring).

------
lumberjack
I see that_Mars One will be using the_SpaceX vehicles. I_wonder_if_Elon Musk
will be fine_with this, because as far as_I see it, it is actually_undermining
the competitive spirit of the race for_Mars which is more about building_the
better technology than actually setting_the foot_there first just to get_your
name on the_history books._For someone as_devoted to offering real
technological innovation, as_Elon Musk is,_it would probably smack a bit_of
cheating.

~~~
akiselev
The_obstacle of going_to_Mars_has long_since been a_problem_of desire_and_not
technology. Obviously better radiation shielding, drugs_that_reduce the
negative effects of zero-g, nuclear propulsion,_and other technologies would
reduce_the_risk of failure but_at the end of the_day going to Mars is a
massive_engineering and_logistics problem.

A_good analogy (I think) would be the construction of the Great_Pyramid of
Giza. Sure it is trivial_to build today with_our technology,_as_(I hope) it
will_be_trivial to_travel to Mars in the distant future,_but the_reason its a
great wonder of the_world is because, despite_a_lack of modern technology, it
was built_as a national engineering project that_spanned decades. Just like a
mission_to_Mars,_it was a daunting task_(one that required a generation or_two
of slaves perhaps)_that was pulled off through pure grit.

------
lsc
Man._Think_of the latency. 8 light minutes._We'd_need to bring back uucp, read
content_offline._Caching_would be essential.

Heh. It sounds_like a lot of fun, really._I mean, in 2022, I'll be 42; I mean,
I'd_need more information