"What kind of world is this that can send machines to Mars and does nothing to stop the killing of a human being?"

The stark contrast between technological prowess and moral inertia is at the heart of Saramago’s observation. The world has achieved what once seemed inconceivable, engineering marvels that leave our planet, overcoming immense scientific obstacles to reach distant planets like Mars. Such feats are often celebrated as symbols of human progress, perseverance, and the limitless quest for knowledge. They represent collective effort, investment, and vision harnessed across generations, and stand as proof of humanity’s ability to solve problems considered insurmountable.

At the same time, Saramago juxtaposes this triumph with a pressing and troubling reality: the persistent presence of violence, injustice, and indifference toward human suffering on Earth. The implication is that, despite the advancement of science and the vast resources channeled into exploration, societies have failed in a fundamental ethical responsibility, protecting human lives and preventing the senseless loss inherent in violence. The phrase “does nothing” is a deliberate provocation, drawing attention to the perceived apathy or impotence of institutions, governments, and perhaps even individuals to intervene when lives are at stake.

Saramago’s words create a powerful indictment of misplaced priorities. He challenges the reader to question how a civilization capable of developing and deploying advanced technologies can simultaneously display such negligence toward its own members. There is an implicit call for re-examination: Has progress in knowledge and capability been matched by moral or emotional advancement? Should not the same determination and ingenuity devoted to space exploration be directed at alleviating human suffering? The underlying assertion is that achievements in science and engineering lose their meaning if humanity cannot extend compassion and justice to all. Saramago’s message confronts a collective ethical dilemma and urges the reader to ask what it truly means to be civilized, whether glory lies in exploration alone, or in valuing and safeguarding human dignity above all else.