"We came all this way to explore the Moon and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth."
~ NASA Astronaut Bill Anders
What is The Overview Effect?
Human Space Program co-founder and president, Frank White, first theorized the Overview Effect phenomenon in 1987. Now, much of the world has adopted this framework in describing our innate interconnectedness and it has helped provide astronauts with concepts and language to articulate the profound shift in worldview they experience when viewing the Earth from space and in space.
"Once a photograph of the Earth, taken from the outside, is available, a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose." ~ English astronomer Fred Hoyle, 1948
Frank's book The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution is considered by many to be a seminal work in the field of space exploration, making Frank one of the most influential space philosophers of our time.
Astronauts viewing the Earth from space often experience a shift in identity or worldview: The Overview Effect.
Common Experiences of The Overview Effect
- A direct understanding that we live on a planet hurtling through the universe at a high rate of speed.
- A surprising realization that “Spaceship Earth” has no political borders or boundaries except those we create in our own minds.
- A sense that the Earth is a “fragile oasis” in a universe that is not designed to support human life.
- A powerful perception that all of us are the astronauts of Spaceship Earth and “we are all in this together.”
Videos
Please help us expand the Overview Perspective by watching these videos and sharing them widely!
Overview & Planetary
The Overview short film (20 min) and the followup up, Planetary (1hr 25m) have become two of the strongest beacons for amplifying the story of the Overview Effect. We are grateful to Guy Reed and Planetary for all of their amazing support over the years!
Join the awe and wonder through this powerful performance from Annu and Sian Proctor.
This is a short and inspiring piece about our relationship with the moon and Earth.
The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution
This was a spectacular event to celebrate the Overview Effect phenomenon and its impact on humanity over the past 30 years. We also celebrated the launch of the 4th Edition of Frank White’s Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution.
Check out this wonderful event hosted by Supercluster to honor the phenomenon of the Overview Effect and the release of the fourth edition of the book.
Noetic Podcast Interview - Citizens of the Universe
This is a great interview of Jared Angaza interviewing Frank White about the launch of his latest release, The Cosma Hypothesis, where he discusses the development of The Human Space Program. This is when Jared and Frank joined forces to co-create this organization.
We invite you to help support the Human Space Program Mission.
Programs
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