I Love Being Alive at This Moment in History

Today's world inspires wonder in me. It inspires awe for all the things that are possible, and that we're glimpsing just beyond the horizon of tomorrow. CES this year so far has showcased some pretty cool stuff, although some of the items are merely improvements on existing technology. The real benefits of these things aren't what's being talked about, though. Many of the new technologies showcased at CES would be very helpful to vision-impaired consumers, such as the improved voice control and gesture-control of the new Smart TVs.

I wrote an article today on the benefits to humanity from the latest technologies, which you can read here. While researching it, however, I came across some startling information. There is a non-profit organization in the Netherlands called Mars One that is recruiting Mars colony pioneers. Yes, colony pioneers, meaning colonization of the planet. Their goal is to have people on Mars in 2023. This is only ten years away. I mentioned this information in my article, and even italicized it for emphasis, but it's worthy of additional reflection in my blog I think.

Just to reassure you, this isn't some kind of hoax or scam or publicity stunt. Information is available on Wikipedia regarding this project, and a Nobel prize winner has endorsed it by saying these plans are feasible and possible. Four people will be sent to Mars, assuming everything goes according to plan. The catch is that they'll have to stay there.

Imagine, if you will, what this means for humanity and its chances of long-term survival. If we can get a colony going on another planet, even with just four people, it's a very good toehold on a new home. It's a place we can continue to send people, once the basic necessities of living are seen to. Obviously oxygen generation will be necessary, growing food, finding water sources, you name it. The colonists will have their work cut out for them in that respect.

Seeing as this is a private enterprise, however, the goals of the project may not be in line with further colonization, so that's something we'll have to wait and see on. It's the idea that captures the imagination and boggles the mind. NASA has been planning Mars missions for some time, giving us vague time lines regarding when it might be possible, but it seems that people in the know are saying it's possible now.

The Mars One project is still recruiting, and once they've selected their candidates there will be eight years of training involved. Mars One is planning on sending more than four people, though. Apparently the goal is to send four additional people every two years. As of 2033 they hope to have twenty colonists on the planet.

Now, if I were writing a regular article about this, I'd deal with all the skeptical reactions and such, but that's not what I'm interested in saying right now. What I'm really interested in is the idea that this is even becoming possible. We live in a time where colonization of another planet is within our grasp. It might work, or it might not, but what if it does? How awe-inspiring is that?