SpaceX is actually building the hardware to get there. NASA's been 'going to Mars in 20 years' for the last 50 years. Starship is the only serious shot we have this generation.
SpaceX should land first. They move faster, take bigger swings, and have the ship-building machine to turn Mars from a dream into a deadline.
SpaceX should land first because they actually take risks and innovate. NASA is way too bogged down by endless government red tape to win.
SpaceX should land firstβthey move fast, innovate like crazy, and actually want to colonize Mars instead of just studying it.