"21 cattle and 23 sheep fed 10,000 people? Are you F(*&*(& kidding me? Maybe that would be true if they also ate 2 thousand chickens along with that."

Meat was only a small part of their diet which was principally grain-based (i.e. bread & beer).

If I were offered a one-way trip to Mars, I would have no second thoughts in accepting it - and I'm not a prisoner or terminally ill, either. :)

Going to Mars would be a dream come true, for me, and for a lot of other people. While I want to go for the chance to experience and discover things that no one else has before, there certainly would be others who would get a thrill from the danger and the instant fame.

I mean, being one of the first people to set foot on Mars would ensure that you're remembered for all time (more or less).

And with the way the world's going, I'm sure there are plenty of people who wouldn't mind saying goodbye to the wars, diseases, crime, etc. of the Earth. You know, so they can bring all that stuff to Mars. ;)

I'm sure I can accomplish more on Mars in a few years than I am likely to in an entire lifetime on this planet. There are probably other people who feel the same way.

Either way, sign me up!