Stretching Our Minds Through Curiosity and Awe
Published October 11, 2019
Walking up to the edge of the Grand Canyon, many people are struck by the incredible scale and complexity of the phenomenon before them. Other feels a similar sense of awe looking up into a star-filled night. Awe is a feeling that can capture imagination and inspire those who experience it. But what shifts when awe changes to a sense of wonder? What happens when we're not only moved by what we see, but also moved to ask questions about it—what geological phenomena led to the creation of the Grand Canyon; what causes meteor showers to paint streaks of light across the sky?
In this video from the first event in our three-part series, "The Power of Wonder: Modern Marvels in the Age of Science," social psychologist Michelle Shiota, writer Caspar Henderson, and astrophysicist Alex Filippenko unpack the emerging science behind the emotions of awe and wonder, including their role in our ongoing quest for understanding and knowledge. The discussion was moderated by Steve Paulson.
Feeling a sense of wonder yourself? Join us for the rest of the events in this series by registering here.