This isn't even hyperbole.  Curiosity cost only 2.5 billion, the entire project. Diabetes is going to cost us 171 billion a year just in medicare costs. It already costs 45 billion a year alone in medicare costs.  That's right, we could have sent a swarm of rovers to mars instead of treating fat people. I'm pretty sure at that price point colonization wouldn't even be farfetched.  Who gives a shit though? People would rather eat mars bars than visit it.