178 Days Orbiting Earth and This Astronaut Has a Dirty Secret to Share!

From the vastness of space, astronaut Ronald Garan experienced a profound shift in perspective that changed how he viewed life on Earth. This transformative moment, often referred to as the ‘overview effect,’ offered him a glimpse into what truly matters. Garan’s experiences, like those of many who have undergone great challenges, led him to re-evaluate the world and our place in it. During his time in space, spread across three missions from 2008 to 2011, he spent over 178 days orbiting Earth. Reflecting on these moments, Garan shared his insights in an interview with Big Think, where he spoke about the disconnect between how people live and what really matters. “We’re living a lie,” he said.

Garan was fortunate to witness the planet in its full beauty from the International Space Station. The pristine view of Earth offered clarity about the global challenges we face. “When we see our planet from the perspective of space, certain things become undeniably clear,” Garan said. He observed that issues like climate change and deforestation are treated as isolated problems when, in reality, they are all symptoms of a much deeper issue. He realized that humans don’t fully grasp their collective identity as planetary beings. From space, Garan admired natural phenomena like lightning and auroras and was struck by how Earth’s “paper-thin” atmosphere protects all life. “I saw an iridescent biosphere teeming with life. I didn’t see the economy,” he reflected.

This realization led Garan to question society’s priorities. He recognized that many of the things we value on Earth are trivial compared to the larger truth that we are all part of one planet. “Since our human-made systems treat everything, including the very life-support systems of our planet, as the wholly-owned subsidiary of the global economy, it’s obvious from the vantage point of space that we’re living a lie,” Garan explained. He argued that humanity needs to re-order its priorities from focusing on “economy, society, planet” to “planet, society, economy.” He believes that this shift is essential for the survival and evolution of our species.

Garan isn’t alone in this perspective. Many astronauts who have ventured into space have reported similar feelings upon returning to Earth. This phenomenon, known as the “overview effect,” describes the deep emotional and mental shift that occurs when seeing the planet from space. Garan explained, “The overview effect describes the shift that astronauts have when they see the planet hanging in the blackness of space. There’s this light bulb that pops up where they realize how interconnected and interdependent we all are.” He emphasized the need for humanity to recognize “the basic fact of the interrelated structure of all reality.” Garan believes that understanding this connection is crucial for addressing the challenges we face as a planet.

Instead of placing the economy above all else, Garan encourages people to embrace their shared existence as inhabitants of Earth and work together to protect the planet that sustains us. “One of the things that I realized during my time in space is that we’re not from Earth, we’re of Earth. And to take that one step further is that we’re not in the universe, we are the universe,” he said. Garan remains hopeful about the future, noting, “I’m very optimistic because I see quite clearly a blossoming awareness of our interdependent nature. That awareness will eventually reach a critical mass and when it reaches critical mass, then we’ll be able to solve the problems facing our planet.”

In Garan’s eyes, the future hinges on humanity’s ability to recognize our role not as rulers of Earth but as a part of its delicate system. His insights remind us that the way forward is through unity and a deeper understanding of our shared existence on this fragile planet. Only then, he believes, will we be able to confront the global issues that threaten our survival.