Instigator / Pro
18
1417
rating
158
debates
32.59%
won
Topic
#2501

On Balance Humans Should Colonize Mars by 2040

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
0
15
Better sources
8
10
Better legibility
5
5
Better conduct
5
5

After 5 votes and with 17 points ahead, the winner is...

oromagi
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
4
Time for argument
Two days
Max argument characters
500
Voting period
One month
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Con
35
1922
rating
117
debates
97.44%
won
Description

Colonize: Space colonization (also called space settlement, or extraterrestrial colonization) is permanent human habitation and exploitation of natural resources off the planet Earth

Round 1
Pro
#1
S. Hawking: "Humans Must leave Earth in 100 years."
Gives us chance to survive in case of disaster.


Potentially limitless tech to be created. Telescope dev lead to treat cancer; already, we've Satellites, solar panel, various systems. Undeniable benefit.

Knowledge gain invaluable. Vote Pro.

Con
#2
  • BoP=PRO
  • Mars colony is a priority BUT
    • 2040 AD goal is not supported by sober science/econ
  • much tech not yet invented

Round 2
Pro
#3
Con's own src: "first Mars mission in 2035 total $230 billion", far below trillions. If even start can be accomplished, rest of the world's effort can work together to resolve this problem.

Potential world end far outweighs any econ cost. Zubrin agree, we lose globalization/diversity, "w/o frontier humanism, reason, sci die". Business co-op vastly reduce $ needed. Mining outweigh.

Tech invention is all being developed at exponential rate. Solutions encourage flexibility and creativity.


Con
#4
remember, BOP=PRO


Round 3
Pro
#5
W/ time, disaster WILL strike. Already, 6th mass extinct vertebrates from pollution, exploit. Mars protects animal & env suffering, our future.

Crops can be grown on Mars. $30 trillion gain from terraforms + asteroids above. Poison solve w Li Metal. MOXIE creates O2 for atmo, works. [p54]


Dev'd tech: cell phone, PC, fridge, vital to everyday life. NASA has saved 40,000 lives already w satellites. 

Con
#6
  • Last ME =  66 mil yrs ago
    • Mars < 2040 =
      • 1st landing & 1st col. simultaneous
      • rush job=
        • high risk,
        • high $
      • no in situ testing
      • no study=high death rate=slow to no col
    • Martian soil poison b/c perchlorates
      • plants will grow but poison to eat especially after UV exposure
    • MOXIE
    • magsail, NEP, scramjets
      • uninvented
      • time?
      • $?
    • PRO must prove '36 risks < '54 risks relative to mass extinction odds

Round 4
Pro
#7
MIT: "C in atmo reach threshold by 2100"

Opp src say drill solve poison. NASA hydrogen BNNT + Li above can reduce radiat.
Artificial Gravity solves micro problem. Electron beam for dust. H20 in hidden lakes.

Vote pro if:
  • Colony idea can be mere ctrl, no need 110+ ppl [explore->future]
  • Sci progress benefits lives already, perfection not essential
  • Protect Earth future
  • Main issues solved, high possibility exists
  • Mining + Terraform + Cheap launch = $ Profit outweigh cost, encourage invest

Con
#8
  • BoP=PRO 
  • We agree Mars Colony but disagree 2040 possible
    • CON args=
      • need innovation
      • $
      • practical window for 10 launches in 2035-37 past
    • PRO args all speculation
      • will invent/invest soon, not now
      •  1st landing =/= perm col
  • PRO failed to argue 2040 once in args
    • PRO only says world ends soon
        • but if PROs arg = save humans already too late
      • $ space launch > any Mars export $
    • ARG to CON! no evidence for 2040
    • Thx