I haven't seen this particular argument made directly.
Q: How can you want to go to Mars while there are hungry children?
A: Going to Mars is how I benchmark the value of those children. Is their max potential "future spacefarers" or something lower?
Conversation
Replying to
It may not be, but it’s just a good symbolic motif for testing your highest potential constantly even if it seems like there are higher existential priorities around.

