Topic Battle

Mars has demonstrated exceptional longevity, having existed for approximately 4.6 billion years. The planet has survived asteroid bombardments, solar radiation, and the complete loss of its magnetic field without complaint. Its iron oxide surface continues to oxidise with admirable persistence.

Geologists note that Mars shall likely persist for another five billion years, until the Sun's expansion renders such considerations moot. This represents a durability record that few household items can match.

Mars presents what can only be described as catastrophic accessibility limitations. The average human wishing to visit Mars faces a journey of approximately seven months, assuming one possesses a spacecraft, several billion pounds in funding, and a relaxed attitude toward radiation exposure.

To date, no human has successfully visited Mars. The planet remains obstinately 54.6 million kilometres away at its closest approach, a distance that would require approximately 23 million car journeys to traverse, were such a road to exist.

Mars provides effectively zero daily utility to the average human. One cannot use Mars to accomplish household tasks, entertain children, or improve personal hygiene. The planet simply hangs in space, reflecting sunlight and hosting robotic vehicles that send photographs to specialists.

Some argue that Mars inspires scientific curiosity and technological advancement. Whilst true, this provides no practical benefit when one is attempting to bathe a reluctant toddler at half past seven on a Tuesday evening.

Mars carries extraordinary symbolic weight as humanity's next frontier. It represents exploration, ambition, and the expansion of consciousness beyond our home world. Philosophers argue that Mars embodies humanity's refusal to accept planetary limitations.

The planet has inspired countless works of literature, from The War of the Worlds to contemporary science fiction. It serves as a mirror for human aspirations, reflecting our hopes, fears, and occasional delusions about interplanetary colonisation.

Mars enjoys universal recognition across virtually all human cultures. The Romans named it after their god of war; the Egyptians called it Her Desher, the red one. Every civilisation that has gazed skyward has developed opinions about this particular celestial body.

Modern recognition remains extraordinarily high. Survey data suggests that 97 percent of humans can identify Mars by name, though rather fewer could locate it on any given evening without assistance.