Speaker
Description
When Frank White published his book The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution in 1987, a window was opened onto the psychological and spiritual reactions of humans to the sight of Planet Earth from space. The several astronauts interviewed by the author confessed to having experienced “a feeling of awe, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.”( White) In the years that followed, the concept was explored and expanded by White himself and other scholars such as Yaden, Bimm, and many others. But what might be the human behaviour vis-a-vis the new experiences that landing again on the Moon, establishing scientific and commercial bases there, opening up to the deep space that will be at hand from the hidden face of our satellite, and finally moving forward toward Mars and beyond, will offer to humanity? Will this change our perception of space, our religious beliefs, our social relationships with the rest of the world? Will it be a feeling of awe or fear? “Is it the blackness (or death) as mentioned by Shatner or the enrapturing beauty of seeing the Cosmos like looking at the Milky Way in its full spectacular glory. Or is it a psychological effect of distance, and loneliness and a yearning to return to Earth?” (Woods). There is not much evidence on the subject yet, although the increase in “tourist” flights has provided some food for thought. Therefore, in the frame of the activities of the Cultural Considerations Working Group of the Moon Village Association, we have dedicated a series of webinars to the topic and asked Frank White, Deana Weibel, Christopher Cokinos and others to give their views.