If what you're saying is true, how come astronaut programs have many more applicants than they can take? People have other goals in life beyond economic incentives.
People volunteer for the military, and I don't think anyone's under any illusion this is risk free. The important thing is not lying to people about the risk involved.
>People have other goals in life beyond economic incentives.
They acknowledged this point, though:
>The incentive is the experience and making some impact on science
I think you might be interpreting their last point differently than me. I took it to mean that the "Mars or bust" is an inspiring, but impractical, narrative.
People volunteer for the military, and I don't think anyone's under any illusion this is risk free. The important thing is not lying to people about the risk involved.