We've lost all tolerance for risk or voluntary harm in the pursuit of a larger objective.
Last month I watched the Sochi Olympics and before that the Winter X Games. People are willing to break their arms, legs and backs and yes, even die for my entertainment, in exchange for little fame. People who climb and die on high mountains pay to suffer.
We have no shortage of risk takers. What we lack are any stated objectives worthy of someone putting their life on the line.
Permanent human settlement is the only goal worth someone risking their lives in long term exposure to the hellish conditions of space. Instead of pussy-footing around with more flag planting missions, just say that we are going to do it. If we're not going for that, then we might as well leave it to the robots.