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The Overview Effect
Among all the experiences people have gone through in the course of their existence, only the ones that last for a very short time as gazing at Earth from a far distance away in space have the ability to overhaul one’s whole perspective. Such a perception of the world experienced by people called the Overview Effect was termed for the first time by Frank White – the Philosopher and writer specializing in space about in 1987.
This phenomenon occurs where astronauts and cosmonauts who repeatedly look at the Earth from the orbit or on the moon’s surface experience a cognitive shift to a state of awareness of their role as stewards of the planet. This exclusive experience gives a standpoint of knowing things deeply due to its unique nature which reveals Earth as a delicate island in the vast blackness of space that constantly reminds the astronaut what our planet really is and where humans belong.
Our Delicate Planet from Above
When observing the world from space – a unique viewpoint as we understand – the separating the political map that divides us becomes weaker and the battles which often seem out of the reach on the ground, seem insignificant when set against the background of the universe. Our home planet looks as a fragile blue spot in the darkness of space, its thin atmosphere seeming as an essential glow in contrast with the inhospitable vacuum of the Universe. This perspective highlights very closely the character of our planet and the existential threat which its prolonged survival might entail.
Astronauts who have been through the Overview Effect often describe a feeling as if their world expanded and everything became meaningful in a way they couldn’t put in words. You can hardly believe how magnificent and tiny the Earth seems, in the darkness of outer space, and get an intense feeling that you are all the beings on Earth are so inseparable.No more these national boundaries, and the “we” and “they” changes to “us,” others being no more involved in our lives than the Universe, which we are to explore together as members of this one big human race. This understanding is a source of the personal perception of the world as a precious place which needs to be protected by all of us as a global society worldwide.
Expanding the Overview Effect
The feeling of Earth floating in space with all its various imperfections can’t but point out the environmental problems of our planet. The downside view of the crisp blue line of the sky – which is visible from the orbit – appears as a striking demonstration of the fragility of our living space. The astronauts return to the Earth fit with all the enthusiasm of an environmental activists to persuade why the people should adopt as well sustainable lifestyles and environmental protection. They have seen the degradation of the earth’s surface caused by deforestation, pollution and other effects of climate change.
The Overview Effect is not just something you have while you are up there but it is repositioning oneself at such an elevation that carries the potential to alter human history forever. Through the creating of an ocean of global unity and environmental stewardship, such negation of our boundaries can make us to soar beyond the differences and work therefor in harmony.It’s a call to action and we need to remember that in relation to the universe, our frivolous differences are nothing worth fighting, while the challenges we have in common are the ones that asstands of the custodianship of Earth are most paramount.