JOUR 683

Dr. Kim
Mini- Paper 3
Kevin Dover
Terraforming Mars or the New Earth
Introduction:
The issue which will be anal!e" herea#$er is $ha$ o# $erra#ormin% Mars. & #irs$ came
across $his i"ea when wa$chin% a $elevision series calle" '(ua Teen )un%er *orce+ in which $he
episo"e,s an$a%onis$s+ $he Plu$oians+ proclama$e a "esire $o "e-$erra#orm $he -ar$h. The more
con$emporar an" pressin% reason $hou%h has $o "o wi$h $he rover $ha$ lan"e" on Mars in ./0..
This rover,s purpose was $o bein% preliminar e1plora$ions o# $ha$ plane$,s sur#ace. & suspec$ $he
ra$ionale is similar as i$ was bac2 in $he earl 033/s. Tha$ $he -ar$h+ as we $a2e up resi"ence
upon+ is har"l sus$ainable+ an" $ha$ Mars mi%h$ be $he mos$ sui$able plane$ #or invasion an"
inhabi$a$ion.
The ar$icles un"er consi"era$ions are $a2en #rom $he earl 033/s. The were selec$e"
primaril because $his was a#$er $he 4ol" 5ar ha" en"e"+ no lon%er were $he $wo ma6or super
powers snipin% a$ each o$her $hrou%h pro1ies+ an" ins$ea" were able $o #ocus $heir e##or$s on an
unnarrowe" %lobal scale+ which "ove$aile" nicel wi$h $he Uni$e" 7a$ions,s -ar$h 8ummi$+
which #ormall reco%ni!e" $he responsibili$ o# $he #irs$ worl" $o s$rive #or sus$ainabili$.
This pro$ocol was no$ universall en"orse" an" 2e plaers+ mainl $he $wo super
powers+ were no$ on boar" wi$h $he "elimi$in% na$ure o# $he impen"in% sanc$ions. 'll $he plaers
involve" "i" reco%ni!e $ha$ $here was an issue $o be a""resse"+ bu$ $hou%h$ $ha$ al$erna$ives
shoul" be sou%h$. One perhaps no$ so averse $o $heir own poli$ical policies an" economic
aspira$ions. The $erra#ormin% o# Mars was pro##ere" as an op$ion+ an" i$ is on $his premise $ha$
$his essa be%ins.
This essa shall be s$rucu$e" in$o ei%h$ sec$ions. The #irs$ seven sec$ions will be a "e$aile"
analsis o# seven "i##eren$ ar$icles. 'll o# $he ar$icles will be #ollowin% $he same anal$ical
#orma$+ al$hou%h some will be %iven a lon%er $rea$men$ "epen"in% on $he con$en$ o# $he ar$icles
or lac2 $hereo#. The las$ sec$ion will be a lis$ o# su%%es$ions #or #u$ure au$hors who have a "esire
$o wri$e abou$ $he sub6ec$ a$ han".
Next stop for mankind by Marcia Bartusiak
This piece is more o# a preliminar wor2 lain% ou$ $he his$or o# $he Uni$e" 8$a$es o#
'merica9s space pro%rams in rela$ion $o Mars :$he Mariner an" ;i2in% pro%rams<. =iven $his i$s
lo%ic is soun"+ as i$ is a recoun$in% o# his$orical ac$uali$ies wi$h li$$le commen$ar on $he
ri%h$ness or wron%ness o# $he en$ire$ o# $he a##air.
The in#orma$ion is as comple$e as an ar$icle will allow. The s$ric$ wor" coun$ lai" upon
newspapers #orces $hem $o ma2e ver "iscrimina$or selec$ions+ bu$ $o rei$era$e $he #irs$
para%raph i$ is lar%el a his$orical recoun$in%+ so i$ $rac2s well alon% $hose lines.
There is an elemen$ $ha$ is no$ simpl his$orical con$aine" wi$hin $he ar$icle. The ar$icle is
reall $wo. The #irs$ $wo-$hir"s or so "eal wi$h $he his$or o# $he Mars pro%rams+ an" $he las$
$hir" "eals mainl wi$h Presi"en$ =eor%e ).5. >ush proclama$ion $ha$ $he Uni$e" 8$a$es shoul"
lan" on Mars wi$hin $he ne1$ $hir$ ears. The au$hor ma2es man %oo" poin$s hi%hli%h$in% $he
ne%a$ives an" posi$ives o# %oin% $o Mars+ as well as $ouchin% upon $he poli$ics lea"in% up $o $he
"ecision $o %o or no$.
5as $he ar$icle scien$i#icall vali"? @es+ u$ili!in% $he cri$eria presen$e" b 5ss in
A4overin% $he environmen$+B which was publishe" in .//C. The $hree cri$eria he lis$e" can be
summe" up as #ollowsD 0. 5as $he piece,s in$en$ion $o raise consciousness abou$ an
environmen$al issueE .. 5as $he in#orma$ion o##ere" wi$hin $he piece accura$e+ comple$e+ an"
scien$i#icE an" 3. 5as $he piece wri$$en in such a manner $ha$ $he avera%e person coul"
un"ers$an" i$.
'll o# $he "a$a+ which was mainl his$orical+ was presen$e" in a wa $ha$ $he la person
coul" un"ers$an". The ris2s a$$ache" $o $he mission $o Mars were also ma"e abun"an$l clear.
The ac$ual i"ea o# $erra#ormin% was no$ e1plaine" a$ all $hou%h. &n #ac$+ $he au$hor lin2e"
$erra#ormin% $o $he i"ea o# science-#ic$ion+ which has a lo$ o# conno$a$ions embe""e" "eep
wi$hin.
7one o# $he sources were ac$ual scien$is$s. The primar source was John 5il#or"+ who is
an awar" winnin% science 6ournalis$. 7e1$ was a scholar name" Percival Fowell+ who came o##
as a rich eccen$ric+ bu$ was $he #irs$+ seemin%l+ $rue a"voca$e #or e1plora$ion o# Mars. These
were $he onl $wo who were ci$e" a$ an subs$an$ial len%$h. The o$her sources were lar%el $he
au$hor9s rea"in% an" un"ers$an"in% o# 7'8'9s $wo main Mars pro%rams+ an" also an
un"ers$an"in% o# $he poli$ical pru"ence.
The sources ci$e" "i" seem well balance". 5il#or" clun% $o 6ournalis$ic e$hos an" his
wor2 seeme" mos$l his$orical wi$h some minor specula$ion as $o $he #u$ure o# Mars+ wi$hou$
in"ica$in% one wa or $he o$her where he s$oo". Fowell9s inclusion was necessi$a$e"+ as i$ was he
$ha$ reall #irs$ brou%h$ $he issue $o li%h$+ an" even $hou%h he was even$uall "isproven b
7'8'+ one mi%h$ call him $he impe$us in movin% $he iner$ mass $ha$ is $he Uni$e" 8$a$es.
The mos$ no$ewor$h $ren" in $his ar$icle was $ha$ $he clear "river was $he poli$ical. 's
$he ar$icle neare" i$s en"+ $he au$hor ma"e $his poin$ all $he more clear when she brin%s up
Presi"en$ John *. Kenne"9s moon ini$ia$ive+ an" compare" $ha$ $o Presi"en$ =eor%e ).5.
>ush9s Mars prero%a$ive. The parallels were (ui$e s$ri2in%.
*or Kenne" he was in $he mi"s$ o# $he 4ol" 5ar an" Russia seeme" $o be sli"in% ahea"
$echnolo%icall+ an" woul" brea2 $he s2ies #irs$+ so $he pressure was $here $o #ul#ill $he Uni$e"
8$a$es9s mani#es$ "es$in. *or >ush+ $he 4ol" 5ar was a$ i$s en"+ an" a new worl" or"er was
be%innin% $o emer%e+ bu$ 2eepin% $he Uni$e" 8$a$es a$ $he #ore#ron$ was s$ill paramoun$ in his
min"+ bu$ $he pressure was relieve". 7o lon%er was $he re" menace $here $o e1hor$ $he Uni$e"
8$a$es $o "o more+ an" i$ is because o# $his $ha$ $he (ues$ion lin%ere"+ an" $he call was no$
answere" so swi#$l.
Why not implant life on Mars By William Booth
This piece is a much more serious $a2e on $he issue+ avoi"in% comple$el $he his$or o#
$he Uni$e" 8$a$es on Mars. &ns$ea" $he #ocus on prac$ical issues $ha$ "eal wi$h $he ac$ual
$erra#ormin% o# Mars. &$ is a well source" piece an" $rea$s $he issue wi$h %rea$G%rave seriousness.
The lo%ic o##ere" up wi$hin $his piece is roc2 soli". 5hile i$ "oes "eal in $heore$ics $he
whole $ime+ as $he reali!a$ion o# $erra#ormin% o# Mars has no$ been ac$uali!e"+ i$ "oes so in a
manner in which all o# $he ar%umen$s are base" upon empirical science+ an" no$ $he wil"
specula$ions o# $he unini$ia$e". The ar$icle is wri$$en in a wa in which all o# $he in#orma$ion is
sca##ol"e"+ b which i$ is mean$ $ha$ $he ar%umen$s all buil" upon $he ar%umen$ $ha$ came be#ore
ma2in% $he s$ruc$ure o# i$ all $he more s$ron%.
The in#orma$ion seems $rul comple$e+ a$ leas$ when i$ comes $o $he ac$ual $erra#ormin%.
&n re%ar"s $o $he e$hics o# $erra#ormin% o# $he ris2s $ha$ come alon% wi$h i$+ $he in#orma$ion is
(ui$e lac2in%. &n re%ar"s $o e$hics $he onl have a sin%le para%raph+ an" i$ was clearl (uo$e
mine"+ as $he ar%umen$ $ha$ $he e$hicis$ o##ere" up was e1$remel wea2 wi$hou$ i$s con$e1$. 'n"
no$ a sin%le ris2 was $ouche" upon+ ou$si"e o# $he e$hicali$ o# i$.
U$ili!in% $he 5ss cri$eria es$ablishe" in $he analsis prece"in% $his one+ $his piece is
par$iall scien$i#icall vali". The "a$a was no$ presen$e" in such a wa $ha$ a la person coul"
un"ers$an" i$. Technical lan%ua%e was use" $hrou%hou$+ an" all o# $he ma$erial "eal$ wi$h wha$
mi%h$ be calle" hi%h-concep$. The in#orma$ion was lai" ou$ lo%icall an" was #ac$ual+ bu$ i$
"e#ini$el re(uire" ei$her $he rea"er $o "o some e1$ra rea"in% or $o simpl accep$ $he e1per$s a$
$heir wor".
'll o# $he sources were e1per$ sources+ an" nearl all o# $hem were scien$is$s are a$$ache"
$o a $echnical #iel". The #irs$ men$ione" was 4hris$opher McKa+ who was a 7'8' scien$is$.
'#$er him was a collea%ue o# his+ Rober$ )anes+ who was a biolo%is$. *ollowin% $hose $wo was
$he onl con$rar opinion o##ere" up in $he ar$icle+ which was pro##ere" b -ur%ene )ar%ove+ a
philosopher. James Foveloc2 was ne1$ in line+ an" he is also a scien$is$+ mos$ #amous #or $he =aia
)po$hesis. *ollowin% him+ was an en%ineer+ Rober$ Hubrin+ who brou%h$ Foveloc29s #ic$ional
i"eas wi$hin $he realm o# science an" "emons$ra$e" how $he coul" be ma"e real. The las$ source
u$ili!e" was Joel Fevine+ ano$her scien$is$ #rom 7'8'.
The a"van$a%e $o $his piece is $ha$ $he lo%ic was roc2 soli"+ an" i$ was allowe" $o o##er
up+ essen$iall+ a s$ep-b-s$ep proce"ure+ as well as a $ime $able+ on how $o $erra#orm Mars. &$
was ma"e more respec$able because everone ci$e" was a cer$i#ie" an" reco%ni!e" e1per$ in $heir
#iel". The "isa"van$a%e is $ha$ $he lan%ua%e $he use" "i" no$ ma2e i$ eas #or $he avera%e person
$o un"ers$an". The la person woul" have also no$e" $ha$ $he one con$rar opinion o##ere" was a
poor one+ an" $ha$ none o# $he ris2s o# such an en"eavor were no$ a""resse".
Wasting our barren assets by Nigel !awks
This piece "eals no$ onl wi$h $he $erra#ormin% o# Mars bu$ $he $erra#ormin% o#
'n$arc$ica. &$ is a polemic piece "irec$e" a$ puri$ environmen$alis$s an" comes o## as a bi$ mean-
spiri$e" an" "isin%enuous.
The lo%ic surroun"in% $he science is lo%ical+ bu$ $he au$hor "oes no$ s$op $here. )is lo%ic
when i$ comes $o environmen$alis$s+ who are $he chie# ob6ec$ors $o $erra#ormin%+ is no$ lo%ical in
$he leas$. &$ is $his which wea2ens his cre"ibili$+ save $o $he alrea" conver$e".
The in#orma$ion is incomple$e+ even on $he science en" o# $hin%s. This is so because $he
au$hor %e$s cau%h$ up in his own biases in re%ar"s $o puri$ environmen$alis$s+ an" %e$s s$uc2 an"
"is$rac$e" in his assaul$. Ra$her $han a""ress $he ris2 in a serious manner+ $he au$hor comple$e
brushes i# o## as a non-issue+ an" $hen launches an a$$ac2 on $hose who oppose him an" his
cohor$s.
Usin% $he 5ss cri$eria $his piece is no$ scien$i#icall vali". The "a$a which is presen$e"+
which is small+ is presen$e" in a wa $ha$ is eas $o un"ers$an". >u$ onl i# one can %e$ $hrou%h
$he mire o# his "e$es$ #or $hose who o##er up "issen$in% viewpoin$s.
There are $hree sources name". The #irs$ is $he philosopher -u%ene )ar%rove+ who %e$s
lambas$e". The secon" $wo are 4hris$opher McKa an" Rober$ )anes+ who are $rea$e" much
more nicel because $heir views ali%n wi$h $he au$hor9s. 5ell $he a"van$a%es is $ha$ $he au$hor
has $he abili$ $o presen$ $hose whom he see2s $o "ispara%e in an un#la$$erin% li%h$ whils$ $hose
who have a similar ali%nmen$ are $rea$e" in $he opposi$e manner. This piece was clearl no$
balance"
"reating life on other planets by #ames $berg
This piece is more specula$ive in na$ure+ an" #ocuses on $he concep$ o# a Inew -ar$h9
more %enerall. &$ also o##ers up o$her e1$ra-$erres$rial locales which coul" be $erra#orme" o$her
$han Mars.
The lo%ic is soun" bu$ none o# i$ is source"+ an" wi$hou$ havin% rea" elsewhere in $he
area+ $his piece coul" be rea" as wil" specula$ion+ as $he au$hor "i" no$ $hin2 i$ in his bes$ in$eres$
$o ci$e ou$si"e o# men$ionin% %roups o# people.
The in#orma$ion is har"l comple$e. The au$hor assumes $ha$ $he rea"er has rea" up on
$he $opic elsewhere an" e1pec$s $hem $o #ill in $he %aps $ha$ he leaves.7o ris2 assessmen$ is
o##ere" up $ha$ rela$es $o $he $erra#ormin% o# Mars or an o$her space locale.
Usin% $he 5ss cri$iera $his ar$icle is no$ scien$i#icall vali". The "a$a is s$a$e" in a wa
which is eas $o %rasp+ bu$ is unclear when i$ comes $o i$s vali"i$. &$ is no$ over$l obvious where
$he au$hor "rew his in#orma$ion #rom.
7o$ a sin%le source was ci$e" $hrou%hou$. The au$hor "oes hin$ a va%ue %roups li2e
7'8' an" scien$is$s+ bu$ he "oes no$ $ell us who+ an" $his is problema$ic as nei$her o# $hose
%roups are monoli$hic en$i$ies. >ein% $ha$ $he sole source+ which can be ascer$aine"+ is himsel#
$he piece comes o## as unbalance" an" wea2. &# $he rea"er has rea" o$her ma$erial rela$e" $o $he
$opic+ $he ar$icle becomes (ui$e soun"+ bu$ $ha$ is a lar%e leap $o be ma"e #or an wri$er.
The mos$ no$ewor$h $hin% men$ione" wi$hin $his ar$icle is $he proo# o# human
$erra#orma$ion o# -ar$h+ speci#icall wi$h "e#ores$a$ion $hrou%h over%ra!in% an" $he a"ven$ o#
#ire which $rans#orme" $he pa$$erns o# our rain. 'lso+ he ma"e men$ion o# $he "isas$ers which are
no$ man-ma"e+ an" alwas much more "ama%in%+ which have ai"e" in $his $erra#orma$ion.
The new Earth % Making Mars green again by Michelangelo &ucci
This ar$icle is a bi$ o# a mish-mash be$ween ran2lin% Presi"en$ >ush 8r.9s #oolhar"
no$ions+ $o con$empla$in% $he real possibili$ o# $he en" o# $he ear$h+ $o a s$ep-b-s$ep ra"ical
#u$uris$ u$opian vision o# $he $erra#orma$ion o# Mars.
The lo%ic is soun" when i$ comes $o rebu$$in% Presi"en$ >ush 8r.9s aspira$ions. The lo%ic
is less soun" when i$ comes $o "ealin% wi$h i$s apocalp$ic scenarios. There is no lo%ic in i$s
u$opian presen$a$ion o# $he $erra#orma$ion o# Mars+ even $hou%h i$ is %roun"e" wi$hin science.
The in#orma$ion is ver comple$e+ even $hou%h i$ was $in%e" wi$h a u$opian vision. 'll o#
i$s in#orma$ion was soun". 7o ris2 assessmen$ was o##ere" up+ a$ leas$ no$ #or $he $erra#ormin% o#
Mars. The ris2 upon $he -ar$h were hi%hli%h$e" as proo# posi$ive as $o wh $he e1pansion an"
colonialism o# Mars was a necessi$.
Usin% $he 5ss cri$eria $his piece was scien$i#icall vali".The scien$i#ic "a$a+ such as i$
was+ was presen$e" in a #airl clear manner+ bu$ is $ain$e" because o# $he au$hor9s over
e1uberance.The sources were all e1per$s an" were mos$l a$$ache" $o 7'8' in some #orm or
#ashion. Rober$ )anes was brou%h$ up $o cri$i(ue Presi"en$ >ush 8r. -leanor )elin an" Davi"
Morrison+ o# 7'8'+ was brou%h$ in $o $al2 abou$ $he po$en$ial #or $he -ar$h $o en". John
Rummell+ o# 7'8'+ $ouche" upon pra%ma$ics an" $he necessi$ o# $erra#ormin% Mars. 7o
con$rar opinions were o##ere" up+ an" all o# $he sources coul" be $race" bac2 $o 7'8' wi$h
ease.
The a"van$a%e is $ha$ $he ra"ical #u$uris$ messa%e coul" be posi$e" wi$hou$ bein%
(ues$ione" or cri$i(ue". &$ allowe" $he s$eps $o lai" ou$ clearl an" concisel wi$h clear lines o#
"elinea$ion. The "isa"van$a%es are man an" %rea$. Their #inancial es$ima$es were wi"el un"er
$he mar2 an" $he au$hor was clearl blin"e" b his ra"ical visions. There was no #irm %roun"in%
in reali$ an" onl $he posi$ive li%h$ was shown. This is an issue when $he ne%a$ives are so eas
$o see an" %ive voice $o. This severel wea2ens $he ar$icle.
'lant life (May be possible on Mars) by *usan Watts
This is an ar$icle summin% up $wo "i##eren$ se$s o# scien$is$s ar%umen$s wi$hou$
men$ionin% an o# $heir names. &$ rea"s li2e an abs$rac$ o# $he piece wri$$en b >oo$h.
The lo%ic is soun"+ an" even $hou%h $he scien$is$s are no$ men$ione" b name $he are
eas $o $rac2 "own because o# $he au$hor9s "emarca$ion. The ar%umen$s o##ere" are sca##ol"e"+
which means $ha$ $he #irs$ ar%umen$ mus$ be un"ers$oo" an" bou%h$ #or $he res$ $o procee"
properl. 'll o# $hem are base" solel in science an" #ormula$e" b e1per$s.
The in#orma$ion is comple$e #or $he ar%umen$s o##ere" up. This ar$icle se$ up s$ric$
cons$rain$s an" "i" no$ s$ra beon" $hose limi$s. &$ "i" no$ even approach $he e"%es+ bu$ $his is a
%oo" wa $o avoi" bein% "rawn in$o useless "eba$es. &$ also means $ha$ $he in#orma$ion is o# a
speciali!e" na$ure which means man are li2el e1clu"e" #rom $he "iscourse.
7o ris2s were assesse"+ bu$ %iven $he limi$s se$ on $he ar$icle+ $here was simpl no room
#or $hem+ nor woul" $he have been well place". 8o even $hou%h $here are ris2s associa$e" wi$h
$erra#ormin% Mars+ $he s$ric$ures o# $his ar$icle "isallowe" such no$ions bein% "iscusse"+ wi$hou$
comin% o## as wea2 #or no$ even scra$chin% $he sur#ace.
Usin% $he 5ss cri$eria $his piece is scien$#icall vali".There were $wo se$s o# scien$is$s
u$ili!e" in $he wri$in% o# $his ar$icle+ none o# $hem were #ormall name". The #irs$ se$ were #rom
7'8'9s 'mes Research 4en$er+ an" $he secon" se$ were a se$ o# researchers who wro$e an ar$icle
#or 7a$ure. The all shoul" have been name"+ bu$ as s$a$e" earlier $he were no$ overl "i##icul$
$o #in". 'll o# $hem were e1per$s an" uses a $echnical lan%ua%e sui$able #or o$her e1per$s.
The piece was unbalance" in$en$ionall. The "elimi$s se$ up b $he au$hor preclu"e" an
inclusion o# an$hin% bu$ $hese ver bare #ac$s "ealin% wi$h $he sole sub6ec$ o# $he $rans#orma$ion
o# $he ecoss$em o# Mars. 8o i$s unbalance" na$ure "oes no$ hur$ $he overall ar$icle as i$ was
crs$al clear wha$ $his ar$icle9s aims were. The au$hor also "i" no$ a"voca$e an posi$ion
wha$soever+ bu$ ins$ea" simpl re#lec$e" $he #ac$s $he scien$is$ s$a$e".
"an Mars be made hospitable to humans By William Broad
This is a lon%ish piece which is s$ruc$ure rhe$orical in problem-solu$ion or%ani!a$ion. &$ is
heavil la"en wi$h science+ wi$h $he problems bein% as2e" in a la wa+ an" $heir solu$ions bein%
answere" wi$h $echnical 6ar%on.
The lo%ic is (ui$e soun". This is s$ren%$hene" b i$s rhe$orical or"erin% o# problem-
solu$ion. ' perceive" problem is o##ere" up #or consi"era$ion+ one $ha$ an avera%e person mi%h$
as2. This problem is $hen swi#$l answere" b a cre"ible e1per$. This a""s no$ onl $o $he power
o# i$s ar%umen$ bu$+ a$ leas$ appearance wise+ $he overall power o# i$s lo%ic.
The in#orma$ion is ver comple$e. '%ain+ $he rhe$orical or"erin% o# problem-solu$ion
assis$s in $his no$ion. >ecause $he problems are $ouche" upon an" answere"+ i$ comes o## as
answerin% all o# $he (ues$ions+ beon" $he ones $ha$ were ac$uall as2e". There is also a heal$h
"ose o# science "roppe" wi$h $he e1per$ise $o bac2 all o# i$ up.
The ris2s are $ouche" upon+ bu$ in a wa $ha$ is (ui$e $ric2. The problems+ which are $he
ris2s+ are all #rame" in such a wa $ha$ $he scien$is$s assure"l have a (uic2 repl rea" #or $hem.
This was clearl a rhe$orical move+ an" showe" which si"e $he au$hor was on.
Usin% $he 5ss cri$eria $his piece is par$iall scien$#icall vali". The science is no$
presen$e" in a wa $ha$ $he avera%e person coul" un"ers$an". 'll o# $he (ues$ions were as2e" in a
wa $ha$ was easil un"ers$oo"+ bu$ $he answers were hi%hl $echnical an" re(uire $he rea"er $o
"o a lo$ o# ou$si"e rea"in% $o come $o un"ers$an" wha$ $he are reall $al2in% abou$. This was a
rhe$orical move which hear2ens bac2 $o ar%umen$s #rom au$hori$.
There was a li$an o# sources+ which were mos$l #rom 7'8' :Dr. 4hris$opher McKa+
Dr. Mel 'vemer+ Dr. Joel Fevin+ an" Dr. Owen Toon<. Dr. Rober$ )anes+ Dr. McKa9s par$ner
in crime+ was also %iven men$ion. This ar$icle %ave $hem $he pre#i1 o# Dr.+ clearl ano$her
rhe$orical move. 7o$ a sin%le con$rar source was %iven name+ an" even when "irec$l (uo$e"+
$he were no$ ci$e". This piece was "e#ini$el in#orme" b rhe$oric.
There are a"van$a%es $o onl havin% e1per$s an" one-si"e"ness. *or one $hin% $he
messa%e will no$ onl be proppe" up on e1per$ise+ bu$ $he messa%e will be s$ea" an" consis$en$.
There was never a waverin% #rom $he prime "irec$ive+ an" $he call merel %rew s$ron%er an" $he
piece reache" i$s #inale. The au$hor $rie" $o mi$i%a$e $he cri$icism o# no opposin% opinions b
u$ili!in% $he problem-solu$ion or"erin%+ bu$ & $hin2 $his was simpl a #ailure $o be%in wi$h+ an" in
$he en" he will onl en" up convincin% $he choir.
The mos$ no$ewor$h $hin% abou$ $his ar$icle was i$s clear biase" rhe$orical push.
*uggestions:
The #irs$ ma6or su%%es$ion is $o move awa #rom pure specula$ion an" in$o $he realm o#
be%innin% $o inves$i%a$e $he #easibili$ o# $he opera$ion. -ven $hen+ a$ i$s incep$ion+ $he
$echnolo% e1is$e" $o o##er up a lo%ical evalua$ion. This nee"s $o be $he primar #ocus.
The secon" ma6or su%%es$ion is $o $a2e $he issue seriousl. There is a %eneral $en"enc+
wi$hin $he press+ $o $rea$ #u$urism wi$h some sli%h$ $o no$ so sli%h$ "is"ain. This is a %rave
mis$a2e+ as $hose involve" have pu$ in $he wor2 an" are well verse" an" respec$e" wi$hin $heir
#iel"s. &# $he concep$s are "i##icul$ #or $he au$hor $o %rasp+ perhaps $he shoul" "e#er. This moo"
o# "erision impin%es on no$ onl $he au$hor,s cre"ibili$ bu$ also on $he publica$ion who "ei%ne"
i$s e1is$ence possible.
The las$ su%%es$ion #lows $hrou%h $he o$her $wo+ an" $ha$ is $o move $he issue awa #rom
science-#ic$ion. @es+ $he i"ea ori%ina$e" $here+ bu$ i$ has come lon% pass $ha$+ an" scien$is$s have
pu$ in $he $ime $o+ a$ $he ver leas$+ ma2e i$ $heore$icall reali!e". These same scien$is$s have
also+ $hrou%h $hou%h$ e1perimen$s+ "emons$ra$e" how $hese $heories coul" be ac$uali!e". 7o
lon%er is $his a #ic$ional en"eavor+ an" au$hors nee" $o see $his shi#$ an" ac$ accor"in%l.
&eferences
>ar$usia2+ Marcia. :033/+ Jul 0J<. 7e1$ s$ep #or Man2in". The New York Times+ 8ec$ion C+ p. 0.
>oar"+ 5illiam. :0330+ Oc$ober 0<. 4an Mars be ma"e hospi$able $o humans. The New York
Times+ 8ec$ion 4+ p. 0.
>oo$h+ 5illiam. :033/+ December 0C<. 5h no$ implan$ li#e on Mars? The Washington Post+
*irs$ 8ec$ion+ p. '3.
)aw2es+ 7i%el. :0330+ Januar .<. 5as$in% our barren asse$s. The Times.
Ober$%+ James. :0330+ Ma ./<. 4rea$in% li#e on o$her plane$s. Roll Call+ 8pecial 8pace Polic
>rie#in%.
Rucci+ Michelan%elo. :0330+ Jul .0<. The new -ar$h? - Ma2in% Mars %reen a%ain. Sunday Mail+
p. ..
5a$$s+ 8usan. :0330+ 'u%us$ 8<. Plan$ li#e ,ma be possible on Mars., The Independent+ )ome
7ews Pa%e+ p. J.
5ss+ Rober$. :.//C<. Covering the environment: ow !ournalists work the green "eat. Fon"onD
Rou$le"%e.