(2019 Archived) ARGUMENT XII: Martian and Venusian Psychology

Having written this in 2019, and originally published in 2021.. when I was 15 and 17, there would be inaccuracies that I would correct here. Having removed it, I'm publishing  again, for sake of completion so that the efforts wouldn't have gone to vain: While some things stand true, in the present day, I'm not fond of this argument because, in both cases, circumstances are plainly - torturous, and will take their toll. That's one of the costs of any colonization that cannot be mitigated, till said colony becomes urban, 

Being an extraterrestrial colonist could get to be a lonely and depressing lifestyle – especially for those of the initial and pioneer colonies. It is common for any isolated community - whether on Mars, Venus or even the Earth! – To feel some of the effects of wayward psychology associated with many common stimuli. If we were to take Venusian and Martian lifestyle, examples of those common stimuli would be ^[41]:

·        Isolation

·        Confinement

·        Limited habitation volume

·        Boredom

·        Regimented work-schedule

·        Absence of fresh air

·        Strangeness (alien-ness) of environment.

·        Awareness of risks of being on an alien world.

Each and every factor of the above list “contributes to mood disturbances, impaired intellectual function, problems with work, interpersonal conflicts, loss of sleep, apathy and withdrawal” ^[41]. The problems with work and interpersonal conflict could lead to withdrawal; the feeling of being out-casted from a group, which could be quite a traumatic experience, especially in an isolated community far away from home. Withdrawal could further “lead to more serious semi-psychotic indications such as hallucinations, crying, loss of appetite, silence, paranoia and lethargy” ^[41]. Furthermore, the crew might adapt a ‘me versus the rest of you’ mentality ^[41], which could reduce productivity due to loss of team-work, a schism in the colony, or potentially violence.

Still, a multitude of countermeasures could be taken to avert it. Appropriate and recommended countermeasures are depicted in the list underneath ^[41]:

¨      Habitat design is as Earth-like as Possible.

Þ    Earth scenes on video and art.

Þ    Allow reminders of home

Þ    Allow personal touches

Þ    Allow privacy

¨      Appropriate Crew Selection and Composition.

Þ    Select mature and stable astronauts

Þ    Select self-aware astronauts

Þ    Select astronauts with sensitivity to potential problems

¨      Give crew a sense of control over their activities.

¨      Permit creative use of free-time.

¨      Provide frequent two-way communication with the Earth.

¨      Provide supporting network of family and friends.

¨      Train team in social dynamics.

¨      Instil view of being a colonist as a lifestyle; not as an endurance race to survive.

¨      “Psychotherapy: encourage psychological assessment on a regular basis with professional assistance” ^[41].

¨      “Awareness training: train in relaxation, meditation, biofeedback and autogenic techniques to help with sleep, reduce anxiety, increase calmness, focus attention, decrease stress, [and] increase awareness” ^[41].

¨      “Regular physical fitness training sessions: exercise to increase energy and reduce stress” ^[41].

Although the precautions and countermeasures taken are quite adequate to preventing it, there is a very-slim chance of psychological ‘events’ happening from time-to-time. However, “if a psychological ‘event’ does occur, treatment and/or management possibilities would include pharmaceuticals, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation and therapy, restraint and/or quarantine” ^[41]. Again, it should be noted that the chances of such an event happening is quite slim with the precautions taken!

But, I believe that there are natural features alluding that Venus has a better chance of providing a psychologically ‘better’ environment.  Drawing parallels to ‘habitat design being as Earth-like as possible’, the cloud-top environments might help with that. It should be noted that the cloud-top skies are mostly blue ^[39]. A mostly-blue sky can be quite reminiscent of the Earth, and to an extent; almost indistinguishable. The mostly glass-geodesic structures of the cloud-cities would provide an almost 360◦ view of the skies, the bright sun, and the complacent white clouds swimming below. It is almost like living in cities above the Earth’s cloud-tops. Due to this, the sensation of being homesick for ‘strangeness of environment’ is almost non-existent! I believe that there would be a similar effect with Venus’ Earth-like gravity. On Mars, I believe that the Martians would be quite nostalgic of blue skies, 1G gravity and more exposure to the outside. The Martians would get to be quite homesick.

As for being ‘confined’, staying underground for majority of a lifetime could get to be quite claustrophobic and frustrating. The transparency of cloud-cities would create an illusion of more space, and thus reduce confinement considerably. Communication with Earth – with kith and kin, or even a therapist – would be much easier than on Mars as light-speed delay would be less in communication with Venus. That could boost morale considerably.

Still, I believe the most key factor for Mars being psychologically unsound is because – it’s physiologically unsound. I mean; imagine thyself to be a Martian-settler having to deal with bone decalcification and loss-of muscle tone. Your bones fracture very easily. You are slowly losing your strength. You have a much increased risk of osteoporosis. Now, imagine dedicating your entire life to hard-labour and research. It is for your survival! You have to do it regardless of whether you like it, or not! The head-ward shift of blood in your body builds pressure in your eyes, which weakens your vision. You will slightly experience cardiovascular de-conditioning. Dehydration gave you kidney-stones, which struck you out of bad-luck, and it will come out one-day with a lot of red-staining. How wouldn’t that be disappointing?

Again, imagine being consigned metres underground, to stay the majority of your years. Seldom having the chance to marvel at the spectacular red desert outside, without the discomfort of a pressurized suit. Seldom see the faint Martian sunset which blue-ens the western sky, with the nostalgia of home: which is, as Earth-like as the Red planet’s got to offer. Would you like it? Wouldn’t you like to come out often. You can try! But cosmic radiation would be ticking your clock faster, every extra minute you stay outside! Imagine the hopes for the seeds that sow Martian civilization vanish, in miscarriages that you’d have to witness. Isn’t it heartbreaking? Especially for a once-aspirant mother?

Now, put yourself in the boots of a true Martian, born rather deformed and unhealthy, owing to being bred and raised in gravity ill-suited for it. What would you think of your life? Would you be willing to continue the life of your ‘forefathers’?  If the Venusians were there in there cloud-cities in this scenario, wouldn’t you jealous of them – them who are emancipated from the burden of physiological ailments, that you’d call home; that you’re compelled to work with, every single sol of your life?

Persistent physiological ailments tend to leave a psychological scar; and as we’ve seen in the above scenario, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine why. Isn’t it? Instead of concluding this chapter along with a list, just think about it – think about the humanity of colonizing Mars. After all, though we and the Martians inhabit completely different worlds, we collectively are still humans: It be the same red-blood that flows in their veins, that flows in ours. It be the same emotions that run in their mind, which runs in ours. Isn’t it? If so, why should we let the Martians suffer on circumstances out of their control?

[39] Arney, D. & Jones, C. (2015). HAVOC: High Altitude Venus Operational Concept – An Exploration Strategy for Venus. SPACE 2015: AIIA Space and Astronautics Forum and Exposition. 31 August- 2 September, 2015. Pasadena, California. [Paper available online and for download at https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20160006329].

[41] Wikram, L.A. (2006). Human Performance Considerations for Mars mission [Paper available online and for download at https://www.apu.edu/static/src/sites/research-science/downloads/human performance mars mission.pdf].

Achinthya Nanayakkara (30.03.2025)

Originally published - 2021 (now removed)

Originally written - 2019