One man, one way mission to Mars
 

I'd do it. One way mission. Why the heck not? Well before I had baby bat I would have done something like this.

It's a miracle alone that 33 guys survived with their sanity intact for as long as they did, even with communication. I'd have to say, asking anyone to be on their own for 26 months is a literal guarenteed suicide mission, in that whoever would do it would commit suicide. Even an Aspergerian wouldn't stand a chance.

I think it's a fascinating prospect. Just developing the technologies to make the supply landefs possible would make for manned vessels that would be safer and possibly faster. Though I think the man/woman vessels would be the better option. Send several of those during every window of opportunity and within a couple of decades we'd have a viable colony with a sustainable gene pool.

I don't believe so, there are those who would enjoy a chance to escape the confines of social convention, simply being able to live without acting a certain way, talking a certain way or dressing a certain way can be hugely exhilarating. It's the epitome of true freedom. I would do almost anything to spend 26 months on my own.

Thats why I mentioned the Aspergerian(how many of us with Aspergers like to refer to ourselves) example, I know the wish to live outside social boundaries quite well, the desire for isolation. But nomatter how technecally easier it would be to live outside of social boundaries for extended periods like that, I put up with them, because I know I wouldn't be able to go without other people like that. I doubt even a severe autistic could handle it.

Maybe the new Hal 9000 would keep them company?

Hal told me he cant do it either.(by the way my real name is David, but forget about it I prefer going by Renatus on the internet)

I'd miss trees if I did the journey. I really have no quarms about giving up people for 26 months. I'd quite happily go into a retreat, but I know I'd never cope with coming back into society. I'd have to completely isolate myself for the rest of my life.

Oh and I'm not autistic.

Although knowing my luck I'd end up with a Marvin instead. (hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy).

Hitchhiker's Guide is awesome. Anyway, if you do end up with a Marvin, at least you would have something to occupy your time - trying to cheer him up.

Yeah - more like drive the poor robot crazy with my random ways - it would be too much for his logical circuits.

Nah, he'd probobly find a way to make your craziness depressing, and then get you depressed.