I had an interesting conversation with a friend over lunch today. Should the goals of our nation and planet be to solve problems on this planet first, or should we be looking at sending people to Mars? I know this sounds like a crazy thing to post about, but it brings up thoughts of what life is all about and what happens when Earth becomes overpopulated. It is a big deal in the end, something politicians seem to gloss over all the time.

In my mind, the idea is stuck in my head because human populations have outstripped the natural resources of the world. Not only the United States, but the world as a whole uses more fuel, food, air, and wood than can be sustained by the planet.

Choice 1. Reduce per-capita usage of natural resources (and reduce carbon emissions).

Choice 2. Reduce population by restricting birth rates, setting off a war or two, and/or not fighting a global disease. Not a great way of doing it.

Choice 3. Find somewhere else to live. Is this possible? Could we colonize Mars? I bet the technology to do this is here now (or in the near future), but is there a desire by the people to do this?

Choice 4. All of the above.

My thought is that Choice #3 is a requirement for the survival of the human race in the long run. Why take chances living on one little planet when you can be on two?

I know this is a random blog post, just was on my mind.

- Kevin

2019 update: Seems as relevant today as it did back in 2006. -KH