Large scale colonization of Mars would require multiple inventions. We know this because we have a good understanding of what a successful colonization of Mars entails, and have a pretty good idea of the main technical obstacles. AGI, on the other hand, might be one breakthrough away or two hundred breakthroughs away. We just have no idea what makes intelligence tick.

I'm just trying to stay positive.

If you talk optimistically about AI (or big data for that matter) you quickly get downvoted these days. I'm curious as to why that is. I thought this was 'marica. Isn't this 'marica?

Edit: my apologies, that was condescending. I should have finished of with a wink of an eye.

There's optimism and there's being too vague to disprove. You might be able to dodge downvotes by adding more objective content to your comments.

History has played out a particular way quite a few times (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_winter). If you can tell us why today isn't like all the other days using facts, I'll bet the downvotes will stop.