Mars One update

As I follow this project with interest, I find it curious that although the Mars one expedition only requires 4 people and have accepted thousands of applicants from very normal backgrounds with no specific requirements but now asks for the following ready for their preparation expedition being based in the Canadian Arctic:

Firstly they ask for volunteers to compile a team of six members when the original expedition only accounts for a 4 man team.  Secondly the original expedition asks for  no special requirements. No science skills, no engineering skills and anyone could apply.  On this expedition  however "Applicants will need to pass a physical exam and must be cleared by their personal physician to participate. Applicants must be non-smokers ... Dedication to the cause of human Mars exploration is an absolute must, as conditions are likely to be very difficult and the job will be very trying...one field support person will also participate in the expedition in and out of simulation role. This person should have excellent field mechanic and wilderness skills." cited from http://www.marssociety.org/home/press/announcements/ma365-call-for-volunteers

This new expedition seems to focus on how the team will work together however they are already overlooking the differences in the terrain and psychological aspects of these two very different teams on two very different missions.

Firstly the team being brought together for the Canadian Arctic expedition have been through university to gain the qualifications on geology, engineering, and the various other skills they are looking for.  Already, this gives this team a psychological advantage as their cognitive abilities are able to deal with academic pressures with more efficiency meaning they will be able to deal with pressure with more ease.  Secondly, this team will be in contact with a remote team whenever they need support which means that psychologically they are not alone with only three other companions to support them.  

When you look at the circumstances for the Mars one team, they have access to a remote team however it is highly unlikely that communication will be instantaneous due to the distance between Earth and Mars.  This leaves the team with no instant support, no cognitive ability to deal with complex engineering issues or scientific issues and only each other for support on a constant basis. 

My worry here is that the two teams are not really testing psychological impact or group work; although the terrain is apparently very similar to the terrain in Mars, the situation each team is being placed in is far from similar.  To measure anything in the preparation expedition will not show any true significant correlations between these variables and leave the project totally unprepared for the launch of Mars One. 

Because the children are Scotlands' future.

I don't pretend to know everything there is to know about the 'No Campaign' as quite frankly every time I read something about the 'No campaign' I become frustrated at the lack of evidence they supply in order to support their statements.

I have however done a lot of reading about the 'Yes campaign'  who have supplied a fully detailed manifesto of what the plans are and how they will achieve them.  The 'Yes campaign have made no promises of a bed of roses or a magic fix to our current situation in Scotland, they have however outlined a clear plan of action and within the manifesto and you can see the evidence to support their idea's.

Throughout this whole campaign the 'Yes campaign' has talked about solutions and reminded us that nothing will change if we remain together, they have pointed out key area's where things could get worse if we don't vote yes and this is all fine.  On the other side however, the 'No campaign' continues to throw scare tactics at us, threats at us and generally treat us as stupid.  They have even been caught on record, several times, saying we are not educated enough to make this type of decision.

Throughout all of this; I, being Scottish and too uneducated to make this type of decision,  have been watching what is going on behind the smoke screen being created by the no campaign.

Did you know that organisations and charities who slander our current government can now be punished? Did you also know that there are plans to cut out TV licences and bus passes for pensioners if the Tory's get back in in the next election.
Did you know that food banks are on the rise and that there are 15,000 children in care in Scotland with a further 3.5 million children living in poverty. the Tory's blame this on the unemployed however as of this month there are 2.34 million unemployed.
Do you remember the two men who won their case regarding workfare and yet its crept back in again....

The new plans by Ian Duncan Smith are linked below and are bleak to say the least for anyone unemployed. the new plans target unemployed once again cutting even more benefits and causing even more child poverty. You can see there is a difference of  1.16 million between child poverty and unemployment and yes there are often more than one child in a family but you cannot tell me that there are not working families living in poverty as I am one of them.  My man works full time and I am a student but we still find that financially it is a never-ending struggle to pay for child care, buy clothes, shoes, winter coats, summer clothes and shoes, and deal with birthdays and Christmas too.  The children that are being driven towards poverty are from working families now as the families relying on benefits to keep them fed are already suffering and have been for quite some time.  We will start to see a drop however as the definition of children living in poverty is reworded and therefore certain children will no longer be counted !

More and more children will end up without breakfast, without lunch and without the proper clothes to wear in winter because of this.  This will only lead to ill health as each child becomes older costing more on the NHS ...but wait, they are selling that off in parts too aren't they.  How long will it be before we have no welfare state?

I for one, do not want a child growing up in a country were the government use a blame culture to divert attention from what's really going on.  I do not want a child growing up in a country where a government cannot be trusted because they pass laws where you are not allowed to say your piece.  I am also extremely aware of how Hitler got around the Reichstag (the German equivalent to our houses of parliament) and how Cameron is getting around are straying dangerously close to misusing the houses of parliament  to get his own way.   I am also very aware that the Labour leader and the Liberal democrat leader have seemed to dissolved into thin air, why is this, what game is Cameron playing that would shut the opposition up just like that.  In some cases the opposition are even backing Tory policy, why?

Quite frankly all of this scares me more than any 'No campaign' junk thrown at us. There are too many closed doors, too many quiet 'opposition' leaders and a growing amount of authoritarian attitudes being taken by the people that are suppose to look after the States citizens.

Cameron is leading the way into a hard core dictatorship and it terrifies me to the core when I think of what the children of Scotland will suffer if we stay together.  I have put links below if you want to look at the evidence I have supplied. Like I said at the beginning I do not pretend to know everything but I do know that for an uneducated Scot who is not programmed to make a political decision I totally defy this uneducated slander by stating that I am quite capable of voting and I will be there on September the 18th later this year to do so.

The choice on which way to vote it totally yours but please do vote.  I will vote but not for me...the future belongs to today's  children and we owe them sanctuary from a dangerous dictator so I for one will be voting yes to save Scotland children from a future of hell.



References used for this article 

http://www.snp.org/

http://www.scotreferendum.com/

http://www.cpag.org.uk/child-poverty-facts-and-figures

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26255696

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_projects/child_poverty/child_poverty_what_is_poverty/child_poverty_statistics_facts.htm

http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/more-workfare-more-sanctions-iain-duncan-smiths-brutal-and-barmy-plan-to-end-child-poverty/

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/celebrity-hairstylist-nicky-clarke-scots-3188406

http://www.bbc.scotlandshire.co.uk/index.php/city-news/676-scots-not-genetically-programmed-to-make-political-decisions-reveals-astonished-lamont.html

http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/feb/westminster-fiddling-figures-child-poverty

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/dictator.htm
Quote taken form above website:  "For Adolf Hitler, the goal of a legally established dictatorship was now within reach. On March 15, 1933, a cabinet meeting was held during which Hitler and Göring discussed how to obstruct what was left of the democratic process to get an Enabling Act passed by the Reichstag. This law would hand over the constitutional functions of the Reichstag to Hitler, including the power to make laws, control the budget and approve treaties with foreign governments."

Overview of Mars One analysis

Mosaic image taken on Jan. 4, 2004, by the navigation camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit

 Mars One, the project that aims to send 4 people to Mars and colonise it.  The project that cannot bring them back again.  Reality TV on Mars,  access to TV and email.  Four people to live out two full years on Mars before another four arrive.  Four people that will need to learn how to survive, not only on another planet, but in a completely different atmosphere with completely different terrain.

These four people will be responsible for building the next colonised part of Mars for the next group of successful  colony members and throughout all of this, they will be alone, dealing with such things as Engineering, Medical, physics, architecture, various science fields and many other factors to support them and their colony throughout the first two years.  When the next group are sent, they will be sent with further supplies to do the same for a further four to be sent 6 years after the first four.   This repeats, until I presume, funding runs out. 

Can it be done?  Can this rightfully be called a colony?  Why hasn't procreation been looked at further as yet?  What are the implications of this project and is it right to let 24 people do this knowing they can’t come back. 

A few days ago I wrote a blog about researching this topic.  As the days have gone on I have to say I have more questions than answers but over the next few weeks I plan on finding more answers to these questions.   

This topic is very complex in terms of financing and technology available so I will be working on several blogs regarding different key areas.    The Mars One Timeline Key areas to be critically analysed are as follows :

Crew selection and Training

Mars-bound Demonstration Mission

Communication Satellite

Rover mission

Operational outpost

Crew departure and Landing

Each of these is part of Mars one own road map to the success of the project, there are other steps however these areas are ‘standard’ for any exploration project and do not raise moral or ethical, philosophical or psychological questions.  The areas above however need in-depth understanding and further detail in order to conclude whether this project will be any of the following:

Successful

Ethical

Moral

Educational

Insightful

Beneficial

I have listed several of the websites I have taken much of my information from and will be adding to this list as I analyse each factor.

I hope you will join me on my journey to assess the Mars One Project.

Bibliograghy with links

http://www.mars-one.com/about-mars-one

MarsOneProject

In-text: (YouTube, 2014)

Bibliography: YouTube. 2014. MarsOneProject. [online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarsOneProject [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/overview/index.html#.UtBJFNJdU40

NASA.

Mars Overview

In-text: (NASA, 2014)

Bibliography: NASA. 2014. Mars Overview. [online] Available at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/overview/index.html#.UtBJFNJdU40 [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/life-on-mars-irish-man-signs-up-for-colony-mission-1.1648449?page=2

Irish Times.

Life on Mars: Irish man signs up for colony mission

In-text: (Irish Times, 2014)

Bibliography: Irish Times. 2014. Life on Mars: Irish man signs up for colony mission. [online] Available at: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/life-on-mars-irish-man-signs-up-for-colony-mission-1.1648449?page=2 [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/30/5249354/mars-one-narrows-applicant-pool-to-1058-in-first-cut-for-2025

The Verge.

Mars One narrows applicant pool to 1,058 in first cut for 2025 colonization mission

In-text: (The Verge, 2014)

Bibliography: The Verge. 2014. Mars One narrows applicant pool to 1,058 in first cut for 2025 colonization mission. [online] Available at: http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/30/5249354/mars-one-narrows-applicant-pool-to-1058-in-first-cut-for-2025 [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/more-2-700-pay-chance-take-one-way-trip-mars-8C11115364

Alan Boyle, S. E.

More than 2,700 pay up for a chance to take a one-way trip to Mars - NBC News.com

In-text: (Alan Boyle, 2014)

Bibliography: Alan Boyle, S. E. 2014. More than 2,700 pay up for a chance to take a one-way trip to Mars - NBC News.com. [online] Available at: http://www.nbcnews.com/science/more-2-700-pay-chance-take-one-way-trip-mars-8C11115364 [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/mars-no-place-children-yet-6C10046900

NBC News.

Mars is no place for children -- yet - NBC News.com

In-text: (NBC News, 2014)

Bibliography: NBC News. 2014. Mars is no place for children -- yet - NBC News.com. [online] Available at: http://www.nbcnews.com/science/mars-no-place-children-yet-6C10046900 [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.dvice.com/archives/2011/08/europe_russia_a.php

DVICE.

Europe, Russia announce joint mission to put boots on Mars first

In-text: (DVICE, 2014)

Bibliography: DVICE. 2014. Europe, Russia announce joint mission to put boots on Mars first. [online] Available at: http://www.dvice.com/archives/2011/08/europe_russia_a.php [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.dvice.com/2013-10-8/new-reality-shows-bring-private-spaceflight-your-tv

DVICE.

New reality shows bring private spaceflight to your TV

In-text: (DVICE, 2014)

Bibliography: DVICE. 2014. New reality shows bring private spaceflight to your TV. [online] Available at: http://www.dvice.com/2013-10-8/new-reality-shows-bring-private-spaceflight-your-tv [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.geek.com/science/lockheed-martin-receives-250000-in-ambitious-mars-one-project-1579513/

Templeton, G.

Lockheed Martin receives $250,000 from ambitious Mars One project | Science! | Geek.com

In-text: (Templeton, 2014)

Bibliography: Templeton, G. 2014. Lockheed Martin receives $250,000 from ambitious Mars One project | Science! | Geek.com. [online] Available at: http://www.geek.com/science/lockheed-martin-receives-250000-in-ambitious-mars-one-project-1579513/ [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.itv.com/news/2014-01-05/meet-the-britons-shortlisted-for-a-one-way-trip-to-mars/

ITV News.

Meet the British men and women shortlisted for a one-way mission to Mars

In-text: (ITV News, 2014)

Bibliography: ITV News. 2014. Meet the British men and women shortlisted for a one-way mission to Mars. [online] Available at: http://www.itv.com/news/2014-01-05/meet-the-britons-shortlisted-for-a-one-way-trip-to-mars/ [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://voiceofrussia.com/2013_12_19/Mars-One-mission-one-way-ticket-to-new-life-8765/

Voiceofrussia.com.

Mars One mission: one way ticket to new life

In-text: (Voiceofrussia.com, 2013)

Bibliography: Voiceofrussia.com. 2013. Mars One mission: one way ticket to new life. [online] Available at: http://voiceofrussia.com/2013_12_19/Mars-One-mission-one-way-ticket-to-new-life-8765/ [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Mars+rover+photos+featured+exhibit+Smithsonian+museum+marking/9359648/story.html

www.calgaryherald.com.

Mars rover photos featured in new exhibit at Smithsonian museum, marking 10th year of mission

In-text: (www.calgaryherald.com, 2014)

Bibliography: www.calgaryherald.com. 2014. Mars rover photos featured in new exhibit at Smithsonian museum, marking 10th year of mission. [online] Available at: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Mars+rover+photos+featured+exhibit+Smithsonian+museum+marking/9359648/story.html [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://ewn.co.za/2014/01/06/Mars-One-explorers-to-undergo-tests

Eliseev, A.

Mars One explorers to undergo tests

In-text: (Eliseev, 2014)

Bibliography: Eliseev, A. 2014. Mars One explorers to undergo tests. [online] Available at: http://ewn.co.za/2014/01/06/Mars-One-explorers-to-undergo-tests [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/11/mars-one-death-mission-delayed_n_4424300.html

UK, H.

'Death' Mission To Mars Delayed By Two Years

In-text: (UK, 2014)

Bibliography: UK, H. 2014. 'Death' Mission To Mars Delayed By Two Years. [online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/11/mars-one-death-mission-delayed_n_4424300.html [Accessed: 10 Jan 2014].

Picture is Courtesy of Nasa.com  and is the mosaic image taken on Jan. 4, 2004, by the navigation camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.  It shows a 360 degree panoramic view of the rover on the surface of Mars.

Mars One - Will it Work?

Over the next few days I will be looking into the infamous project named 'Mars One'.  This project aims to send 4 people to Mars and on a regular basis send another four along with further supplies and equipment. There were thousands of applicants willing to be sent to Mars but the real shock, to me, at least, is that the applicants know that they cannot return to earth.

The technology required to a return journey is not available so it would be impossible to bring them back.   There are several other crucial factors in this project which I will be looking into, such as surface radiation, Psychological impact to the applicants and skills needed to run such a small colony.

I find the concept fascinating but dangerous, very interesting but I doubt it.  I am hoping to gain a lot more insight into this and give a full analysis of this topic based on information gained.

Stay with me as I journey through this project to find out just what it entails and whether it is feasible.

Interesting Reading 18th Dec 2013

As you may or may not realise I am a Student of Psychology and many aspects of academic writing outside psychology catch my my interest too.  Currently as I am on vacation and I was looking for something to read outside of what I have been studying and although sociology and psychology do cross over in some places I still find sociology quite interesting.

I came across the following book on Smashwords.com and decided to scan through the book for an idea of what it included.  I have to say the writer seems to have put a lot of work into this with 20 chapters on various aspects of sociology including one on scientific sociology in which the focus is functionalism and refers to Talcott Parsons and Emile Durkheim however he still refers to Marx theories as well.
Overall this looks like a good read so if this is young thing you can take a look here 

Another Book I keep in my Library in Smashwords is there marketing guide.  As I am published here I like to keep up to date with all of their material.  Smashwords really is a good place to publish eBooks so if you think you have a book in you why not take a look here and see how easy it is.  You can also find out how to format your book before publishing here and the best of it is these books are free.  As are many others that are published there.

One last book that caught my attention was this one because it is academic.  I remember going through critical analysis of poetry at college and I found it really difficult to pick up on all of the minor details.  I must have written my analysis about 6 times before I got it right, and wish I had seen this before attempting it.  So if you are studying literature this may be a good start to learning what to look for.

Well those are my book choices for today and over the next few weeks there will be more so please do check back and I will do my best to find cheap, or even better, free but informative academic style books for you to look at, read and learn from.

Pareidolia OR Seeing things with your Imagination

Please do not look at the pictures until you have read the article and test this psychological phenomenon for yourself.

Looking through my face book today I come across a post that really caught my eye. Now I love cute little rodents such as mice and rats so I follow a group dedicated to posting up cute pictures of these little fellows in their natural habitats. This picture however was not in their natural habitat it was in fact of a rat on MARS? 

Well I just could not believe this at face value so I did some digging and this actually ties in nicely to my previous article (rant) about the teapot. I have enclosed pictures so as you can see what I am referring too but please do not look (Psychologically I know now that I’ve told you not to look you want to so apologies for this but hang in there) 

I dug around on the NASA page and found absolutely nothing to confirm the sighting of rats on Mars (no surprise their heh heh) but I am aware of a psychological phenomenon called Pareidolia. Many people are capable of this ability. Keeping the terminology in plain English Pareidolia is the ability to form pictures from shapes and symbols. The mind does this by looking at the visual and then pulling past images from your memory and piecing the image you see together with images you know such as a rock can suddenly be a rat (you can look now ) or a teapot can suddenly resemble Hitler (yes my earlier rant was about this particular teapot).

So there you have it and as a side note, this is where the saying never believe everything you see comes in useful! 

Hitler on a Teapot

OR

Rats on Mars