So, I am afraid that if fossilised eukaryotic life is found on Mars this will answer the fermi paradox to a degree that will encourage apocalyptic despotism on earth.....

Does anyone here share this fear?

Currently listening to the independence speeches in Burroughs at the end of Green Mars. The speech by Maya Toitovna really hit me hard emotionally. The dream of Mars for all humanity, and what that means - at least for me is an emotional and existential thing.

When I think of our global political situation today, the ailing space programme and the shooting of Trump today I despair.

Putting aside the terraforming stuff and the insanely rapid growth of the population on the planet. The future portrayed therein is possible with our current technology. The development of a two-world economy, the thickening of the atmosphere to protect against radiation and provide more pressure on the surface is all possible.

But I can't see it happening in our lifetimes - I think we will be lucky to get a crewed landing, which for me isn't enough. How to even process that despair? Do we have hope for a future?

I haven't really articulated why I think Mars is important that well - but basically for the reasons present in the books... It's because of what Mars would make possible for humanity.