Exporting Smog to Mars

It’s a sad commentary on our way of thinking when you have scientists proposing that we make the atmosphere of Mars more “hospitable” by exporting smog there (Part A, Aug. 8).

A lot of people think of mankind as “the crown of creation,” with all his good works (whatever the consequence) leading to the inevitable, self-fulfilling prophecy of a “judgment day.”

If, however, we consider the Earth as the living, breathing organism here, with a body and maybe a spirit of its own, then mankind takes on the look of a rapidly multiplying cancerous parasite spreading disease, decay and destruction wherever it goes. As if trashing our own world is not enough, now we’re thinking of going to Mars to pollute the atmosphere!

It seems the cancer is spreading to another part of the body. There is already junk on the moon. Can we kill a solar system?

MICHAEL HICKMAN

Tujunga