1) please do not use the word ‘colony’ ever; ‘settlement’ and ‘settlers’ are preferable

2) “the most talented” persons are unnecessary…settlers only need the competency and education of a typical building superintendent; “the most talented” scientists and engineers will communicate with settlers from Earth via Skype

3) “Our initial [settlers] may be people beyond childbearing years.” this concedes too much…initial settlers should be young couples looking forward to starting families if early experiments with small mammal births prove fine

4) “The [settler] selection process will ensure that we select individuals who will bring needed skills and thrive under Mars conditions.” Ugh. This will select people similar to those in charge of the selection process. Would you want to spend the rest of your life with such folks – or, would you rather hang out and work with people disdainful of “selection processes” – characters like Hawkeye and Honeycutt from the Swamp in M*A*S*H? : )

This entire project should take place as a breakout session during the Mars Society’s Annual Conference, but, in any case good luck…

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1041688054/creating-a-private-mars-colony-the-time-is-now