| These posters capture the imagination that goes with pulp science fiction of the 40s and 50s. It’s nostalgic and whimsical, not meant to actually portray visiting barren planets. When pulp sci fi was being written, no one really knew what might be in our own solar system. Some assumed Venus could be a jungle teaming with life, Mars full of caverns with civilization. Obviously now we know that’s not the case. So the idea that there’s some appeal for people to walk around nothingness in a space suite is off the mark. The reason we want to send people to Mars is not to enjoy the barrens of Mars, but to further our capabilities. (Although there is an undeniable beauty ti geology as well, the beauty of the Grand Canyon for instance) The barrens are a stepping stone. If there are planets with alien snakes and bugs, whole ecosystems with intelligent beings, the only way to get there is baby steps in our own barren solar system. So that’s the appeal. The challenge of exploration to see what’s over that next hill. Edit: Your points of not appreciating what’s on Earth are right on point. You’ll note one of the posters is an Earth poster. In many ways demonstrating how barren and inhospitable most of the universe is, helps people realize what they have here and how precious it is. So in other words, your exact point of view is what many hope everyone can understand. |