The Science-Backed Benefits of Awe: How Experiencing Awe Makes You a Better Person

Core Concepts

Experiencing awe, triggered by vastness, beauty, or profound experiences, has transformative effects, fostering humility, prosocial behavior, and a decreased focus on oneself.

Abstract

This article delves into the concept of awe and its profound impact on personal growth. The author, through personal anecdotes and scientific research, illustrates how experiencing awe can lead to positive changes in individuals.

The article begins by describing the author's personal experience of awe at the Látrabjarg bird cliffs in Iceland, highlighting the elements of vastness and accommodation that characterize awe. It then transitions into discussing the scientifically proven benefits of awe, such as reduced self-focus, increased prosocial behavior, and enhanced feelings of connection with others.

The author cites research on the effects of the 2017 total solar eclipse, where social media posts from within the path of totality revealed increased expressions of awe, prosociality, and affiliation compared to those outside the path. This research, using "awe dictionaries" and "prosocial dictionaries," underscores the link between experiencing awe and positive social behavior.

The article concludes by advocating for the conscious pursuit of awe in daily life, suggesting that exposure to awe-inspiring experiences can foster humility, connection, and personal growth. The author provides examples of awe-inspiring moments, encouraging readers to actively seek out such experiences to reap their transformative benefits.

Stats

People within the path of the 2017 total solar eclipse were more than 1.5 times as likely to be feeling affiliation as those outside the path.

Quotes

"Awe is induced by something asocial, like a vast landscape, or a magnificent piece of music, [but] its effect is social: People feel more connected to one another, less selfish, more humble…feeling in the presence of something greater than oneself puts the self in perspective.”

Key Insights Distilled From

Feeling Awe Changes You: It Will Make You a Better Person

by Lindy Elkins... at medium.com 11-04-2024

https://medium.com/@ltelkins/feeling-awe-changes-you-it-will-make-you-a-better-person-857c3a691fd4

Deeper Inquiries

How can technology be leveraged to create or enhance experiences of awe, particularly for those with limited access to natural wonders or cultural events?

Technology presents incredible opportunities to democratize awe, making it accessible to individuals who might otherwise lack the means or ability to experience it firsthand. Here are some ways technology can achieve this:

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR can transport users to breathtaking natural landscapes, underwater environments, or even outer space, fostering a sense of vastness and wonder. Imagine exploring the Amazon rainforest, diving into the Great Barrier Reef, or walking on the moon – all from your living room. AR, on the other hand, can overlay digital elements onto the real world, enhancing everyday experiences. Picture holding up your phone to the night sky and seeing constellations, planets, and satellites labeled in real-time, deepening your appreciation for the cosmos.
High-Definition Photography and Videography: Breathtaking images and videos of natural wonders, cultural events, and scientific discoveries can be easily shared online, evoking awe in viewers worldwide. Platforms like National Geographic, Discovery, and even social media channels dedicated to nature and science photography play a crucial role in bringing these experiences to a wider audience.
Interactive Simulations and Data Visualizations: Complex scientific concepts, historical events, or artistic masterpieces can be brought to life through interactive simulations and data visualizations. Imagine exploring a 3D model of the human brain, witnessing the formation of galaxies, or interacting with a virtual orchestra – these experiences can inspire awe and deepen understanding.
Online Learning Platforms and Digital Museums: Online courses, documentaries, and virtual museum tours offer accessible ways to learn about history, art, science, and culture, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for human achievement. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Google Arts & Culture provide a wealth of knowledge and experiences that can inspire awe.
By leveraging these technologies, we can make awe more inclusive and accessible, fostering greater appreciation for the world around us and promoting the positive social and personal benefits associated with this powerful emotion.

Could the pursuit of awe be used as a form of escapism, potentially hindering individuals from addressing personal or societal issues?

While awe offers numerous benefits, like any powerful emotion, it's crucial to consider its potential downsides. The pursuit of awe could indeed become a form of escapism if it leads individuals to avoid or ignore pressing personal or societal issues.
Here's how this might manifest:

Distraction from Problems: Constantly seeking awe-inspiring experiences could serve as a distraction from dealing with difficult emotions, personal challenges, or demanding responsibilities. Instead of confronting problems head-on, individuals might seek refuge in the fleeting comfort of awe.
Diminished Sense of Urgency: The feeling of being "small" in the face of vastness, while humbling, could potentially decrease the sense of urgency to address social injustices or environmental concerns. If one feels insignificant, they might be less likely to believe their actions can make a difference.
Passivity and Inaction: While awe can inspire prosocial behavior, it's important to ensure it translates into tangible action. Simply feeling awe without channeling it into positive change can lead to passivity and inaction.
To prevent awe from becoming a form of escapism, it's crucial to:

Maintain Balance: Integrate the pursuit of awe with actively addressing personal challenges and contributing to solutions for societal issues.
Channel Awe into Action: Use the feelings of humility, interconnectedness, and generosity inspired by awe to fuel prosocial behavior, activism, and positive change.
Cultivate Critical Thinking: Maintain a critical perspective, recognizing that awe-inspiring experiences shouldn't overshadow the need to address real-world problems.
By approaching awe with awareness and intention, we can harness its transformative power for personal growth and societal betterment, ensuring it doesn't become a tool for escapism.

If awe diminishes our sense of self, what are the implications for personal ambition and motivation in a society that often values individual achievement?

This is a complex question that touches upon the potential tension between the individualistic values often emphasized in modern society and the sense of "small self" that awe evokes. Here's a nuanced perspective:
Potential Conflicts:

Redefining Success: Awe's ability to diminish ego-centrism might challenge the traditional definition of success as individual achievement, status, and material gain. This could create internal conflict for individuals raised with these values.
Motivation Shift: If personal ambition is primarily fueled by ego-driven desires for recognition and advancement, then a diminished sense of self might initially appear demotivating.
Potential Opportunities:

Reframing Ambition: Awe can inspire a shift from self-serving ambition to a more purpose-driven approach. Motivation might stem from a desire to contribute to something larger than oneself, aligning with the greater good.
Collaboration over Competition: A reduced focus on the self could foster greater collaboration and teamwork. Individuals might be more willing to share credit, support others, and work towards collective goals.
Intrinsic Motivation: Awe can unlock intrinsic motivation, where the joy of the task itself and its positive impact on the world become the driving forces, rather than external validation.
Finding Balance:
The key lies in finding a balance between individual ambition and the sense of interconnectedness that awe fosters. This might involve:

Redefining Achievement: Recognizing and valuing contributions that benefit the collective, such as acts of kindness, community involvement, and environmental stewardship.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, even if they don't lead to traditional markers of individual success.
Finding Purpose in Contribution: Discovering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in using one's skills and talents to make a positive impact on the world.
In conclusion, while awe's potential to diminish the ego might initially seem at odds with individualistic values, it also presents an opportunity to redefine success, motivation, and ambition in a way that prioritizes collaboration, purpose, and contribution to something larger than oneself.