My thanks to Peter Noble for making me aware of the expression ‘Overview Effect’ (and for the kind feedback).
Hi Tristan,
Just to say thank you for another marvellous book. I have spent a good deal of time exploring and finding the tree signs you have explained especially on walks and around trees I thought I already knew well. My family enjoyed many of these signs too so thank you for that.
I think your work achieves something called the ‘overview effect’ which was a term used to describe how astronauts feel about the earth when return from space.
The overview effect which was developed by Frank White and relates to the effect of seeing the Earth from space on astronauts’ emotional state: ‘some common aspects of it are 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’ (2023).
White, F. (2023) “Space Diplomacy and the ‘Overview Effect’,” The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 18(2-3), pp. 464–473. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191x-bja10163.
I could see a future book for you looking at various environments: rivers, mountains, forests, sea shore with 20 or so clear signs and features to find in each. This I think would help create the ‘overview’ effect for many….
Just a thought..
All the very best.
Peter
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