Why We Explore: A love letter to CalTech’s ‘Mars and the Mind of Man’ [OC]

In 1971, just before Mariner 9 reached Mars, a symposium was held at CalTech called Mars and the Mind of Man. Its panelists were Bruce C. Murray, Carl Sagan, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ray Bradbury. Two renowned planetary scientists and two renowned science fiction writers, brought together to discuss the scientific and philosophical importance of our search for alien life on the Red Planet.

I first read the transcript of this event a few years ago, and it really stuck with me. It inspired me to make something that, hopefully, captures just a bit of that passion that carried us to Mars and beyond.

If I inevitably got something wrong or simplified things a little too much, let me know! I'd love to learn more.