In the Kennedy 60's, space exploration for the hell of it was more than acceptable.
We had yet to reach the electronic pinnacle the 40's, 50's and 60's scientists KNEW was just around the corner.
So ...
Here we are in the 2000's and our planet (NOT the climate ! ) needs attention to it's psychological health and well being.
In such a modern and .. hmmmm ... advanced? ... stage, we should, as a race, have reached some higher level or plane of consciousness by now.
Instead, we're digressing back into the mentality that God destroyed nations for.
Maybe that's it ...
Come quickly .. Lord.
After reading this thing through, it seems the only thing that’s driving the Russian billionaire to proposing this improbable fantasy of his is the impending close proximity of Earth and Mars. He keeps on talking about this small window of opportunity that would make the trip to Mars viable because of the relatively lesser resources a trip at this junction would require, mostly in the inability of the human condition to tolerate extended periods in space. At any other time, the Earth-Mars positioning would not be conducive to such an undertaking.