The term "overview effect," coined by author Frank White in 1985 and popularized in his 1987 book, describes the profound shift in perspective that astronauts often experience after viewing Earth from space. They frequently report feeling a deep sense of unity with humanity and the planet, coupled with an awareness of life's fragility.
Space tourists like Anousheh Ansari have shared how daily frustrations, like traffic, seemed insignificant after their journey, while William Shatner, during his 2021 suborbital flight, spoke of reaffirming his hope in humanity’s collective beauty and interconnectedness.
But what happens to our minds when we look at life from a distance, or imagine ourselves seeing things from a higher perspective? And why could this shift be beneficial to our species? Click on for answers.