An astronaut has revealed that he made a ‘sobering realization’ after seeing Earth from outer space.
Ron Garan, a former NASA astronaut, spent 178 days in space, traveling over 71 million miles in 2,842 orbits during his career.
Reflecting on his time in space, he has shared that humanity is ‘living a lie.’
Garan’s realization is far more profound than any flat Earth theory.
In an interview with Big Think, he recounted the moment he realized that society’s approach was fundamentally flawed.

Garan experienced what is known as the ‘overview effect,’ a phenomenon many astronauts encounter when they see Earth from space.
According to BBC’s Sky at Night magazine, this effect can lead astronauts to experience ‘spiritual awakenings’ or deepen their bond with the planet. Apollo 14’s Edgar Mitchell once described it as an ‘explosion of awareness,’ as noted by Neotic.
For those fortunate enough to observe Earth from such a rare perspective, it can evoke unexpected and intense emotions.
As Garan gazed out the window, he had what he called a ‘sobering’ revelation.
“I saw the paparazzi-like flashes of lightning storms, I saw dancing curtains of auroras that seemed so close it was as if we could reach out and touch them,” Garan told Big Think. “And I saw the unbelievable thinness of our planet’s atmosphere.”
He further explained: “In that moment, I was struck by the realization that this paper-thin layer is what sustains all life on our planet.”
What he didn’t see, he said, was the economy. Instead, he observed “an iridescent biosphere teeming with life.” He continued: “But because our human-made systems treat everything, including the vital life-support systems of our planet, as merely the subsidiary of the global economy, it’s clear from space that we’re living a lie.”

He also shared: “The other thing I felt, and I can’t really explain it, was that being completely detached from Earth made me feel deeply connected to everyone on it. It was this overwhelming sense of kinship.”
Garan’s reflections carry a vital message: humanity needs to rethink its priorities.
Since returning to Earth, Garan has become a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and the need to prioritize planetary well-being over economic interests.
He founded the Manna Energy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean drinking water to developing nations, and created Fragile Oasis, a project aimed at fostering positive global change.
As humanity continues to explore the stars, the insights gained from space could hold the key to securing a sustainable and thriving future for Earth.
