The Overview Effect

If you’ve ever seen a photograph of Earth from space, you’ve probably felt a spark of wonder, a small glimpse into something larger than yourself.

Imagine this feeling magnified: not just a fleeting impression, but a deep, life-altering shift in perspective. This is the Overview Effect.

Coined by space philosopher Frank White in the 1980s, the Overview Effect describes the profound shift astronauts experience when they see our planet from space.

Floating above Earth, they no longer see borders, conflicts, or differences. Instead, they see a delicate blue sphere suspended in the vast blackness of space—a reminder of both our unity and fragility.

This moment of perspective, described as both deeply spiritual and profoundly humbling, reshapes their connection to humanity, sparking a renewed commitment to care for Earth and its people.

Watch the movie below to see what first sparked the idea for Insight Overview.