Well, there were diamonds just laying on the beach when South Africa was first colonized. I don't suppose it would be impossible for that to happen on Mars also.
If Mars were covered with precious metals, they wouldn't be precious anymore. The only reason gold is valuable is because it's (relatively) rare. If we found a planet covered with it, the future of gold as a valuable metal would be nonexistent.
I just went to an art exhibit about shiny objects. They claimed that humans are naturally drawn to shiny things because it reminds us of water and sunlight.
Bower birds, packrats, magpies, and many other creatures love and collect shiny objects too. Almost nothing humans do is unique, except perhaps destroying our own habitat.
@5: Nope. It does have substantial use-value (as opposed to its considerable fetish-value). It's quite important in electronics as a coating for connectors and suchlike, as it is easily worked, conducts electricity well, and does not corrode.
@8- Almost every other animal will destroy their habitat if their population isn't controlled. Humanity managed to throw off the shackles of most population controls in the past ten thousand years.
What qualifies you to speak about humanity?
We managed to adapt them to the atmosphere, but I'm not sure if their laser eyes are functioning correctly.
Yes, you're right of course. Gold has great practical value as a conductor.
I was only speaking of its Fort Knox, Glenn Beck, shiny thing value.