A psychological intervention platform designed to trigger the Overview Effect through web-based Earth-from-space experience.
The Overview Effect—a profound cognitive shift toward awe, global interconnectedness, and environmental responsibility—has been experienced by fewer than 600 astronauts in history. GodViewActivation makes this transformative consciousness shift accessible to anyone with a web browser through evidence-based psychological journey design, psychoacoustic audio, and awe-optimized visuals.
Our Primary Goal: Reliably activate the Overview Effect in 60%+ of users through a carefully orchestrated 7-10 minute guided experience.
The Overview Effect (also called "God View Syndrome") is a profound cognitive shift experienced by astronauts when viewing Earth from space. It is characterized by:
- Awe and Wonder: Overwhelming beauty and emotional impact
- Global Interconnectedness: Dissolved sense of separation between nations, peoples, and life
- Fragility Awareness: Recognition of Earth's delicate atmosphere and finite resources
- Environmental Responsibility: Deep concern for planetary protection
- Perspective Transformation: Fundamental shift in worldview and values
Quote from astronaut Edgar Mitchell:
"You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty."
Unlike space exploration simulators, GodViewActivation is a guided psychological intervention that recreates the conditions for consciousness transformation.
Phase 1: Ascent (0-2 minutes)
- Gradual rise from Earth's surface through the atmosphere
- Watch horizon curve, political borders disappear
- Build anticipation through rising camera movement and audio
Phase 2: Transition (2-4 minutes)
- Break through to space—Earth becomes a whole sphere
- Moment of profound silence (3 seconds)
- First realization: Earth is an isolated, fragile object in void
Phase 3: Contemplation (4-7 minutes) ⭐ Peak Awe Activation
- Slow orbit around borderless Earth
- Day/night cycle, weather patterns visible
- No political boundaries—only one interconnected living system
- Astronaut narration reinforces interconnectedness
- Mandatory stillness moment (30 seconds of locked camera)
Phase 4: Integration (7-10 minutes)
- Zoom out to "pale blue dot" view (cosmic perspective)
- Return to closer orbit
- Final narration: "That's here. That's home. That's us."
- Transition to reflection or free exploration
- Mandatory Duration: 7-10 minutes minimum (research shows 4-7 min needed for awe induction)
- Reduced Agency: Locked camera path during journey (surrendering control enhances awe)
- Strategic Stillness: Forced contemplation moments allow psychological integration
- Psychoacoustic Audio: Binaural alpha waves (8-12 Hz) induce meditative state
- Awe-Optimized Visuals: Golden hour lighting, thin atmosphere line (fragility), borderless Earth
- Psychological Priming: Pre-journey screen sets expectations and mental readiness
- Space Enthusiasts (Ages 18-45): Curiosity-driven, seeking awe and wonder
- Conscious Explorers (Ages 25-55): Personal growth seekers, meditation practitioners
- General Curious (Ages 16-65): Seeking novel, transformative experiences
- Educators (K-12, University): Teaching environmental science, psychology, global citizenship
- VR Early Adopters: Seeking deeply immersive experiences
- Corporate Wellness: Team perspective-building and stress reduction
✅ Guided Psychological Journey
- 7-10 minute automated camera path through 4 phases
- No user control during journey (locked path optimizes awe)
- Stillness moments at 2:00 and 5:00 (30 seconds each)
✅ Photorealistic Earth Rendering
- 8K textures on desktop, 4K on mobile
- Day/night cycle, animated clouds, atmospheric glow
- No political borders—only natural features visible
- Golden hour lighting for maximum emotional impact
✅ Psychoacoustic Audio Design
- Binaural alpha wave beats (8-12 Hz) for meditative state
- Astronaut narration at precise timestamps (4 quotes)
- Strategic silence moments for psychological processing
- Ambient space soundscape (ethereal, minimal)
✅ Psychological Priming & Reflection
- Pre-journey screen prepares user mentally
- Post-journey reflection prompts for integration
- Optional journaling (stored locally only—privacy-first)
✅ Cross-Platform Accessibility
- Browser-based (Chrome 90+, Firefox 90+, Safari 15+, Edge 90+)
- Responsive design (desktop, tablet, mobile)
- No app installation required
- HTTPS hosting for WebXR compatibility
✅ Privacy-First Analytics
- No user accounts or data collection
- Anonymous effectiveness metrics only
- Client-side sentiment analysis of reflections
- GDPR-compliant analytics (Plausible recommended)
🔮 VR Mode (WebXR API)
- Deeper immersion through stereoscopic rendering
- Head tracking for natural viewing
- Controller-free experience (gaze-based interaction)
🔮 Exploration Mode
- Free camera movement after completing initial journey
- Mouse/keyboard/touch controls unlocked
- Meditation mode (20-min extended contemplation)
🔮 Educational Enhancements
- Guided tours (continent focus, environmental themes)
- Educational overlays (facts, environmental data)
- Educator toolkit (pause, annotations, classroom mode)
🔮 Accessibility & Localization
- Multi-language support (5+ languages)
- Audio descriptions for visually impaired
- Voice controls (Web Speech API)
Frontend:
- HTML5, JavaScript/TypeScript
- Three.js (3D rendering, camera, geometry)
- Web Audio API (binaural beats, spatial audio)
VR Integration (Post-MVP):
- WebXR API for VR headset support
Deployment:
- Static hosting (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages)
- Global CDN for asset delivery
- HTTPS required (for WebXR API)
No Backend Required:
- Fully client-side application
- No user authentication or database
- Privacy-preserving design
- JourneyOrchestrator: Controls 4-phase automated experience
- AweEngine: Visual rendering optimized for emotional impact
- PsychoacousticAudio: Binaural beats, narration, silence management
- StillnessController: Enforces mandatory contemplation moments
- MeasurementTracker: Anonymous effectiveness analytics
Awe Optimization Techniques:
- Vastness: Earth must feel overwhelmingly large yet comprehensible
- Fragility: Thin blue atmosphere line visible from all angles
- Borderlessness: No political boundaries, only natural features
- Living System: Animated clouds, weather, city lights at night
- Cosmic Context: Starfield background, "pale blue dot" moment
Lighting Strategy:
- Golden hour sun position (3500K color temperature)
- Atmospheric rim lighting for dramatic effect
- Minimal ambient light (emphasize Earth in void)
Layer 1: Binaural Beats (Subconscious)
- 8-12 Hz alpha waves for meditative state
- Continuous throughout journey
- Very subtle (5% volume)
Layer 2: Ambient Soundscape (Environmental)
- Ethereal, minimal space "silence"
- 3-5 minute seamless loop
- Strategic silence moments (3 seconds at 2:00)
Layer 3: Narration (Cognitive)
- 4 astronaut quotes at precise timestamps
- Professional voiceover with emotional resonance
- Subtitles display synchronously
| Metric | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| FPS | 60 sustained | 30+ minimum |
| Load Time | <3 seconds | <5 seconds |
| Memory Usage | <500MB | <200MB |
| Asset Size | <50MB total | Progressive loading |
Optimization Strategies:
- Progressive asset loading (low-res first, high-res background)
- Automatic quality downgrade if FPS drops
- Level of Detail (LOD) based on device
- Texture compression and caching
Supported Browsers:
- ✅ Chrome 90+ (Desktop & Mobile)
- ✅ Firefox 90+
- ✅ Safari 15+ (Desktop & iOS)
- ✅ Edge 90+
Fallback Support:
- WebGL unavailable → Canvas 2D fallback (degraded but functional)
- Web Audio API unavailable → HTML5
<audio>fallback - WebXR unavailable → Hide VR mode option (browser-only experience)
Device Categories:
- Desktop/Laptop: Full experience (60 FPS, 8K textures)
- Tablet: Optimized experience (4K textures)
- Mobile: Performance mode (2K textures, 30 FPS)
- VR Headsets (Post-MVP): Immersive mode (WebXR, 90 FPS)
Awe Induction Rate: ≥60% of users report at least one of these indicators after the journey:
- Sense of awe or wonder
- Feeling of interconnectedness
- Shift in perspective about Earth's fragility
- Reduced sense of separation
- Increased environmental concern
Measured via: Post-journey reflection sentiment analysis + optional survey
- Journey Completion Rate: ≥75% (of users who start)
- Average Session Duration: ≥7 minutes (full journey)
- Return Visit Rate: ≥30% within 30 days
- Reflection Submission: ≥40% (optional prompts)
Privacy-First Design:
- ❌ No user accounts or authentication
- ❌ No cookies or tracking pixels
- ❌ No personally identifiable information (PII) collected
- ✅ Reflections stored locally only (localStorage, never transmitted)
- ✅ Anonymous analytics only (opt-in, GDPR-compliant)
- ✅ Clear privacy policy displayed
Security Measures:
- HTTPS required (for WebXR API)
- Content Security Policy (CSP) headers
- Regular dependency audits
- No external script injection
Core Features:
- 4-phase guided journey (7-10 min)
- Photorealistic Earth (8K desktop, 4K mobile)
- Psychoacoustic audio (binaural beats, narration)
- Priming & reflection screens
- Browser-based (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Mobile responsive
- Anonymous effectiveness tracking
Success Criteria:
- Journey completion rate ≥70% (beta test)
- Awe induction rate ≥50% (acceptable for MVP)
- 60 FPS desktop, 30 FPS mobile
- <3s load time on 4G
Additional Features:
- VR mode (WebXR integration)
- Exploration mode (free camera post-journey)
- Meditation mode (20-min extended contemplation)
- Advanced accessibility (audio descriptions)
Success Criteria:
- Awe induction rate ≥60% (optimized journey)
- 10,000+ completed journeys
- VR session success rate ≥80%
Expansion Features:
- Multi-language support (5+ languages)
- Educator toolkit (pause, annotations)
- Community features (anonymous shared reflections)
- Real-world impact measurement (behavioral change tracking)
Success Criteria:
- 100,000+ completed journeys
- Awe induction rate ≥65%
- Measurable real-world impact (environmental action)
- Node.js 18+ and npm
- Modern web browser (Chrome 90+ recommended)
- Code editor (VS Code recommended)
# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/GodViewActivation.git
cd GodViewActivation
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Start development server
npm run dev
# Build for production
npm run build
# Preview production build
npm run previewGodViewActivation/
├── src/
│ ├── core/
│ │ ├── JourneyOrchestrator.js # Main journey controller
│ │ ├── AweEngine.js # Visual rendering system
│ │ ├── PsychoacousticAudio.js # Audio system
│ │ └── StillnessController.js # Stillness moment manager
│ ├── phases/
│ │ ├── AscentPhase.js
│ │ ├── TransitionPhase.js
│ │ ├── ContemplationPhase.js
│ │ └── IntegrationPhase.js
│ ├── ui/
│ │ ├── PrimingScreen.js
│ │ ├── JourneyHUD.js
│ │ └── ReflectionScreen.js
│ ├── assets/
│ │ ├── textures/ # Earth textures (8K, 4K, 2K)
│ │ ├── audio/ # Narration, ambient sounds
│ │ └── shaders/ # Atmosphere, glow effects
│ └── main.js # Application entry point
├── public/
│ └── index.html
├── documents/
│ ├── technical-design-document.md
│ └── product-requirements-document.md
├── package.json
├── vite.config.js
├── README.md
└── CLAUDE.md # Claude Code guidance
We welcome contributions that align with our primary goal: reliably triggering the Overview Effect.
Priority Areas:
- Psychological Effectiveness: Improvements to awe induction
- Accessibility: Making the experience available to more people
- Performance: Smooth experience across devices
- Research Integration: Evidence-based design enhancements
Before Contributing:
- Read the Technical Design Document
- Review the Product Requirements Document
- Ensure changes support the primary goal (not just feature additions)
Pull Request Process:
- Fork repository
- Create feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/AmazingFeature) - Test thoroughly across browsers
- Ensure performance targets met
- Submit PR with clear description of how it enhances Overview Effect activation
- Yaden, D. B., et al. (2016). "The Overview Effect: Awe and Self-Transcendent Experience in Space Flight"
- White, F. (1987). "The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution"
- Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). "Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion"
- Stellar, J. E., et al. (2018). "Awe and humility"
- Allen, S., et al. (2018). "The science of awe" (Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley)
- Wahbeh, H., et al. (2007). "Binaural beat technology in humans: a pilot study to assess neuropsychologic and physiological effects"
Q: Is this a space simulator or game? A: No. This is a psychological intervention tool designed to trigger the Overview Effect. It's not about exploration or gameplay—it's about consciousness transformation.
Q: Why can't I control the camera during the journey? A: Research shows that surrendering control enhances awe experiences. The locked camera path is intentional and essential to the psychological intervention.
Q: How long does it take? A: The initial guided journey is 7-10 minutes. This duration is evidence-based—research shows 4-7 minutes minimum is needed for cognitive shifts. After completing the journey once, you can explore freely.
Q: Is this scientifically validated? A: The design is based on peer-reviewed research on awe, the Overview Effect, and psychoacoustics. We're conducting user studies to measure effectiveness and will publish results.
Q: Is my data collected? A: No. We collect only anonymous analytics (journey completion, duration). Your reflections are stored locally on your device only. No personally identifiable information is collected.
Q: Will this work on mobile? A: Yes! The experience is optimized for mobile browsers (30 FPS target). For deepest impact, we recommend desktop or VR, but mobile is fully supported.
Q: Do I need VR? A: No. VR is optional (post-MVP feature). The browser-based experience is designed to be effective without VR hardware.
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Asset Licensing:
- Earth textures: NASA public domain (Blue Marble, Visible Earth)
- Audio: Royalty-free or Creative Commons licensed
- All sources documented in
/assets/ATTRIBUTIONS.md
Project Website: [Coming Soon] GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features Research Inquiries: research@godviewactivation.org (placeholder)
Inspired by:
- The astronauts who first reported the Overview Effect
- Frank White's seminal book "The Overview Effect" (1987)
- UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center (awe research)
- All researchers studying consciousness transformation
Special Thanks:
- NASA for public domain Earth imagery
- The Three.js community
- Open-source contributors
"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena... There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world." — Carl Sagan
Status: Pre-Development | Version: 1.0 (Planned) | Last Updated: January 2, 2026