The natural tendency throughout our history on earth is to explore everything on earth possible while leaving no stone unturned. As we have learned, there are serious issues ahead on earth related to natural resources being depleted by expanding populations. One of the main concerns is lack of drinking water in the near future. Yet, instead of applying good science to address these serious issues ahead, what we see is more of an ego driven need to reach another planet to see if there was once water there. Could it be these scientists fear one day the earth could end up like Mars, a dead planet, billions of years from now? 

I marvel at the ability of a few smart people to reach another planet in such a way, but I don't feel it is at all practical if it doesn't help us live better lives on earth with the information we retrieve. If our very own water resources are being depleted, why are we seeking traces of water on Mars?  Does that make any sense to anyone? 

At least the ancient stone tool makers used their tools in practical day-to-day terms for survival. This recent jaunt across the planetary system to Mars seems to lack any relevance to our current situation on earth, other than as a passing form of marvel at the human intellect's ability to achieve such a goal. That is very noble in one sense, but when we all begin running out of water on earth, this knowledge of Mars won't help us survive thereby rendering it as useless and possibly wasteful in terms of the human need for survival.