When European colonialists "settled" Oregon, they went with their families. Though they left most of their familiar lives behind, they still had the wonderful constance of their spouses, children, parents.

In the Mars One info, I've not seen it specified that preference is being given to married couples. To me, it seems that if we're going to start a whole new civilization (or even just a village) on another planet, the new colonialists would do best if they had at least some basic societal structures that are familiar to them (everything else will be so foreign for so long). Has there been consideration of trying to send committed couples, rather than heroic loners? The biggest challenge of settling a new planet will not be the technical aspects, but the social and mental ones (as other commenters have noted).

Also, I don't think anyone would thrive long-term on an entire planet devoid of music, art, sports, speeches, plays, poetry, dance, etc. The first crew certainly needs to be made up entirely of people who are great at medicine, geology, biology, research & science. But at least one of these people should probably also be a musician, or a painter, etc. No one will feel at home until cultural roots are also put down on the planet. Will there be room on the transport vehicle for a guitar and two years' worth of new strings? For two years' worth of paint and canvas? (Maybe an iPad with Paper would suffice, but best to leave that decision up to the artist).

Also! This looks to be shaping up to be a wonderful multicultural affair (though all of the people in the videos so far are white...), but will you also try to make it pluralistic? Send atheists, christians, muslims, hindus, pagans, anyone (and a variety even within the first crew). In part of their ten-year training, they should be taught to build relationships on mutual respect and open communication even with people of different creeds. It would be terribly depressing to see Mars end up with a whole starting village of one or two creeds. It would be worse to see them fight over their differences. Is this aspect of the human experience being considered in the selection of marstronauts?

I will feel great sadness for the first settlers until a crew is able to bring along some cats (and maybe a small-animal vet to accompany and exercise them so their little bones don't deteriorate on their seven month journey).

Are there plans to eventually send pets for company or livestock for food?

Other than the much-needed companionship, I think sending animals might be a better way to test the viability of conception and gestation than having the humans test it.

Speaking of conception, will profilactics be sent along with the marstranauts? Will they be able to produce their own from local materials on mars? I know they're being encouraged to not attempt to have children, but how will that be prevented?