New Books Network Scott Solomon, "Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds" (MIT Press, 2026)
Apr 30, 2026
Scott Solomon, an evolutionary biologist and Rice University professor, explores how living off Earth could reshape our bodies and minds. He discusses Mars’ environment, radiation and reproductive unknowns. He covers microbes, gene-editing possibilities, founder effects and the practical limits of farming and self-sufficiency. The conversation stresses research-first, cautious expansion into space.
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Mars Colonies Need High Self Sufficiency
- Martian colonies must be highly self-sufficient because travel windows are infrequent and communications lag.
- Solomon notes 6–9 month travel and ~2-year launch windows plus 4–22 minute delays mean colonies need local food, medicine, and emergency skills.
Martian Diets And Farming Will Shape Daily Life
- Daily life on Mars will center on plant-based agriculture and enclosed living with limited surface excursions.
- Solomon recommends plant-first diets for energy efficiency and explains crops may need surface sunlight while people live underground, creating exposure tradeoffs.
Acclimation Is Not The Same As Evolution
- Humans acclimate to microgravity but true biological adaptation requires generations.
- Solomon distinguishes short-term acclimation (fluid shifts, vision changes) from evolutionary adaptation, noting we lack multigenerational data for humans in space.
