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Letters

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words
As the prospect of human settlement on Mars becomes increasingly concrete, the question facing humanity is no longer whether we can reach the red planet, but whether going there would actually save us.
Mars colonisation has moved from science fiction to engineering road maps. SpaceX envisions robot missions this decade, crewed flights in the 2030s and a self-sustaining city by mid-century. The vision is bold: a second home for humanity, a plan B for civilisation.
Yet beneath the excitement lies an uncomfortable paradox. If the gravest threats to civilisation are not cosmic accidents but human-caused disasters, can changing planets really change our fate?
Supporters of Mars colonisation often frame it as a kind of insurance. However, natural disasters are statistically rare, while the more immediate dangers seem to be human-caused: nuclear conflict, climate change and increasingly, the advent of artificial intelligence.
Moving to Mars won’t save us if we don’t fix our existing problems. A colony that depends on Earth for survival just delays the end instead of preventing it.
History suggests that technological power has consistently outpaced moral development. Without restraint, greater power merely magnifies existing tendencies. In that sense, Mars is not an escape hatch but a mirror.
If outward expansion is not the answer, where does that leave us? One solution lies in an area far less glamorous than rocket launches: inner transformation.
Across cultures, traditions have argued that sustainable civilisation depends on managing the human ego. Buddhist practices emphasise non-attachment, compassion and mindfulness – qualities increasingly studied by neuroscience. Taoist philosophy stresses harmony with nature rather than domination of it.
Human nature, critics argue, does not change easily. Evolution has wired us for competition and survival. Modern systems often reinforce those instincts. But that difficulty may be precisely the test.
Until humanity learns to manage the forces within, every new world we reach risks becoming a reflection of the chaos we leave behind. The ultimate frontier may not be space, but the human mind.
Rick H. Zhang, Nevada, US
Robots mustn’t replace humans in doing meaningful work
I refer to the letter, “As robots do more work, here is why humans need to play” (January 18). I disagree with the idea that we should simply step back while machines take over our responsibilities.
Work is not merely a weight on our shoulders. It shapes who we are and reflects our genuine contribution to society. When we engage in meaningful work, we develop discipline, strengthen our resilience and discover a deeper sense of purpose.
Continuing to work is a way of pushing ourselves beyond limits and it is this ongoing effort that drives society forward. Robots may perform tasks efficiently, but they lack the human qualities – innovation, compassion, moral judgment – that underpin real processes.
Moreover, work reinforces our dignity and our ability to make a meaningful difference in the world.
The notion that creativity stems from moments of leisure overlooks the fact that many breakthroughs emerge from the challenges encountered during work. History shows that some of the most significant innovations were born of persistent problem-solving.
We must also consider the impact on our well-being. Rest is undoubtedly essential but it is not the sole source of good health. Purposeful work can be equally beneficial. It gives structure to our days, fosters social connections and offers a sense of achievement. Balance matters; no one is advocating for endless work.
Ultimately, robots are meant to assist us, not diminish the human drive to work and contribute. They can take on repetitive or hazardous tasks, but the heart of human progress lies in our own effort, determination and involvement.
Donald Chong, Mid-Levels


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Science

Moving to Mars? First, bring the human ego under control

SpaceX’s Starship lifts off during a flight test in Boca Chica, Texas in 2024. Photo: Reuters


Trump’s multilateral retreat gives China mixed opportunities

US President Donald Trump reacts to a question from a reporter after signing a series of executive orders at the White House on February 10. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Prioritise scam victims’ well-being in fighting transnational cybercrime

Workers walk out of a suspected scam compound in Sihanoukville on January 15, after Chen Zhi, the alleged kingpin of one of Asia’s largest cyber scam organisations, was arrested in Cambodia and sent to China. Photo: AFP

Will the coming Hong Kong budget be on ordinary people’s wavelength?

Commuters head for work in North Point on December 16. Photo: Sun Yeung


Opinion

Readers discuss why humanity needs to manage the forces within rather than change planets, and the problem with delegating work to machines


Readers discuss why humanity needs to manage the forces within rather than change planets, and the problem with delegating work to machines.


Science fiction

United States

SpaceX

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Readers discuss why humanity needs to manage the forces within rather than change planets, and the problem with delegating work to machines

Readers discuss why humanity needs to manage the forces within rather than change planets, and the problem with delegating work to machines