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Probing the mystique of Mars

The most interesting aspect of the Life on Mars question is really this: Could Mars support human life and habitation?

Allowing Earth to remain the only place for humans to live will require us to become smaller and smaller, as resources and space are used up by ever-growing populations. Only by expanding to other planets -- Mars especially -- can we continue to grow as humans.

People talk about "our shrinking world" like it's a good thing. It's not. Settling more worlds are our only hope for the future.