DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO COLONIZE MARS? SCIENTIST REVEAL CHECKLIST

Matt Case - August 24th 

Recent findings from an ongoing study shed light on the pivotal role of personality traits in the prospective colonization of Mars, hinting that individuals prone to anxiety, excessive competitiveness, and performance anxiety might not be the best candidates for the Red Planet's settlement endeavors. The study, presently in the midst of peer review, harnessed computer simulations to chart the trajectory of hypothetical Martian colonies over their inaugural 28 years of virtual operation.

Researchers, in their preliminary assessments, found that "agreeable" personality types showcased the highest resilience for prolonged missions. This trait remained consistent across all four personality categories employed in the simulations. Conversely, individuals with neurotic tendencies displayed the least capacity to adapt to the unprecedented challenges posed by Martian colonization.

The study also upended prior expectations, indicating that a successful Mars colony could be sustained with a notably smaller population than previously envisaged – a mere 22 individuals. The research consortium, comprising computational social scientists from George Mason University, infused their computer model with a diverse array of pertinent data: economic analyses, agricultural statistics, insights from the International Space Station's resource capabilities, and inputs from domains like Antarctic research bases and submarine crew dynamics.

Within the model's framework, an "agreeable" persona was characterized by traits such as low competitiveness, minimal aggression, and a flexible approach to routines. The "social" archetype encompassed those with moderate competitiveness and extroverted tendencies, gravitating towards social interactions without being overly tethered to rigid schedules. In contrast, the "reactive" category displayed moderate competitiveness while adhering strictly to established routines.

The final personality cluster, termed "neurotics," exhibited high competitiveness, pronounced interpersonal aggression, and an inclination to struggle with monotony or changes in routine. This profile rendered them the least adaptive to the unforeseen adversities intrinsic to maintaining a functional Mars colony.

Despite the study's progressive outlook, the George Mason researchers incorporated several optimistic assumptions into their model. These encompassed regular supply shipments from Earth and an enduring nuclear power source capable of furnishing the settlement with continuous electricity for a minimum of seven years.

While the study's outcomes remain subject to peer scrutiny, they underline the significance of psychological attributes in the realm of interplanetary colonization, spotlighting the imperative for cohesive and adaptable personalities to drive humanity's aspirations beyond our home planet.