:rofl:
Mars can be reached, for that we've got proof. The technical aspects of getting there are (mostly) solved. Getting there to set up an infrastructure for so many people can be overcome with time (and money).
But too many type-As in one location is asking for trouble. I could imagine a military expedition having a better chance of success. There is an autocratic leadership that everyone understands. The chance of a royal cluster(ahem) still exists, but and order to "Do it, do it now!" would be carried out instead of a discussion about "Why?"
On the "civilian" mindset (since that is what I am now), there'd need to be some methodology of governing that many people. Even if scientists made up 99% of the population, there would still be turf wars over a finite set of resources.
Until O2 and H2O can be processed in situ, I just don't see many more than a few dozen members in a Mars expedition, far less than what Elon wants to pull off. I'll give the man credit, he has the wealth to pursue his dream. But I don't see it within my lifetime.
