[aseipp]

Yes, but you see, only one of those possibilities allows me to live out a fantasy of being a cool space colonist like Matt Damon. The other one requires me to be a usual suspect who has to deal with the material outcomes of living in society. So, all things considered -- it's definitely way cooler to believe that Mars is the answer. And as someone who knows absolutely nothing about pollution, the environment, or Mars, but read every Isaac Asimov novel -- I think this isn't being given due consideration.

You know what they say! If you can't make absolutely minimal changes to the political outcomes of your planet, you're absolutely ready to dart off into space onto planets with no breathable atmosphere or water that could have unknown effects on the human body and mind.