Earth is rapidly reaching capacity. Year on year there is an exponential increase in the human population, and it's about time we seriously thought about alternatives.
Mars One has taken the next leap for mankind by starting an initiative to transport humans on a one way trip, i.e. no return, to start a colony on planet Mars. Candidates volunteer themselves and then go through a series of interviews and physicals and eventually shortlisted for the trip to Mars.
There will be multiple one way trips in groups of fours. Each trip will bring in supplies and equipment and materials to expand the colony. Eventually the aim would be to sustain themselves without aid from Earth. The first trip is scheduled to leave in 2023 and will arrive at Mars in 2024.
The magnitude of this event is beyond comprehension. If the first mission is successful it may be the beginning of the next stage of evolution for mankind.
There are questions around the feasibility of the project. Although there are various companies that have already bought into the idea, a project of this nature does not have a budget. Expenses are literally open ended. Think about it, there is no telling what to expect. Date from Curiosity is limited, We know about the composition of the ground and air in and around Mars, but once there is a human life form on the actual planet surface, that human brain that is absorbing all the information from the planet will be the ultimate data capturing and processing computer of all time to tell us what we really need to do to colonise and survive on Mars.
But once that is done, you have to ask yourself the question... "now what?". Will it be just like it is on Earth? I'm not talking about buildings, parks and beaches etc., I'm talking about economy, currency, politics. Will it be the same or will humankind start a new way of thinking? Now you start to think about all the sci-fi movies and series that you've ever watched in your life, personally I think that the Star Trek scenario will prevail, but all we can do is wait and see what mankind chooses to do.