Stewart Brand points to the “overview effect” to argue for caring for Earth

In short: A New York Times video revisits the “overview effect,” a mindset change astronauts report after seeing Earth from space, and Stewart Brand argues it should push us to focus more on caring for our planet.

What's going on

The “overview effect” is the name for a deep change in how some astronauts think and feel after looking back at Earth from space. Writer Frank White coined the term in 1987. Astronauts often describe Earth as a small, fragile blue ball with no visible borders, like seeing your whole neighborhood at once instead of just your own street.

Many astronauts say this view makes Earth feel more connected and more vulnerable. NASA astronaut Nicole Stott has said it changed her sense of “home” from a specific place to the entire planet. Astronaut Mike Foreman has pointed out that from space you can actually see how thin Earth’s atmosphere is, which can make people more focused on conservation.

Research supports parts of these stories. One 2018 survey of 39 astronauts found moderate shifts toward seeing Earth as “a beautiful, fragile object to be treasured,” and these shifts were linked to some people becoming more active on environmental causes after their missions. The same survey found that spiritual changes were smaller.

Only around 600 people have been to space, so most of us will never experience this view directly. Still, astronauts’ accounts and films like Overview aim to help people imagine it from the ground.

What to watch

In the Times video, Stewart Brand argues we should spend less energy “looking outward” and more on the ongoing work of maintaining civilization and the planet. Watch for more projects in media and education that try to recreate this perspective, especially around events like Earth Day.

Source: NYTimes