It seems the difference between us is I don't believe in Santa Claus and you do ;) I don't believe because I aspire to something I can do it. I'd like to see most of humanity think ahead, but they don't. That doesn't mean I do nothing. Nor would I want you to do nothing. If you need to believe everything worked at SpaceX etc with just a few iterations to get your day going--I get it. We all live lies of one form or another. I just believe the lies I tell myself are better ;) I also believe humanity has bigger problems than getting to Mars--indeed, even trying with the obstacles pointed out, makes those problems worse.

Putin aspires to a great and powerful Russia. Hundreds die every day. How does one model that?