Well, in many regards, he is right. Keep in mind, Mars does not provide ANY of the basics, other than solar energy, to support human life there.
The Moon is a good starting platform to learn how to build a sizable life-supporting environment. No simple task. Fun food for thought...
“The Moon is a good starting platform to learn how to build a sizable life-supporting environment.”
No magnetic field. This is where a storm you can’t see or feel will kill you.
I am thinking send in the machines.
“Keep in mind, Mars does not provide ANY of the basics, other than solar energy, to support human life there.”
That is not correct. There’s abundant water, which also means there’s abundant oxygen (CO2, which is almost the entire atmosphere on Mars, could provide it as well).
Another potential source of oxygen is the iron oxide in the soil/rocks that gives Mars its red color. The iron will be quite handy regardless.
The soil, after chemical treatment to remove peroxide, can provide a basis for farming when mixed with organics. The other alternative would be to go hydroponic with chemical fertilizer.
A final, and very interesting point, is that with CO2 and water, you have what you need to manufacture methane, which is the fuel used by the Starship’s Raptor engines.
Even solar is iffy when the huge dust storms form.