NASA Astronaut to Discuss 'Orbital Perspective' in Google+ Hangout

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By Meg Wagner2013-09-25 02:28:54 UTC

Ron Garan knows a thing or two about orbital perspective. The NASA astronaut has traveled 71,075,867 miles in 2,842 orbits around the Earth and completed a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station.

But now he wants all Earth-dwelling humans to start thinking orbitally, too.

Garan will host a Google+ Hangout, titled "The #KeyIsWe," to discuss ways individuals can collaborate across cultures. It will take place Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. ET.

Garan explained the importance of collaboration at the 2013 Social Good Summit. He calls it the "orbital perspective" — viewing the world as one whole piece instead of a lot of little parts, segmented by geographical and cultural borders.

The idea that people need to embrace collaboration dawned on him when he was in orbit and noticed the manmade India-Pakistan border, he said. And while he knew the border existed, he still saw Earth as "beautiful, tranquil and peaceful."

"These are not clichés that astronauts say because it feels good," he said. Seeing the planet in that serene state made Garan realize that back on Earth, we need to start breaking down barriers.

He wants to brainstorm ways that people from all cultures can work together, and hopes the first #KeyIsWe Hangout will start the conversation. It starts with collaboration, he explained, and communication "fosters accountability that fosters trust."

"We don't have to accept the status quo," he said. "You don't have to be in orbit to have the orbital perspective."

About Social Good Summit

The Social Good Summit is where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions and is brought to you by Mashable, The 92nd Street Y, The United Nations Foundation, The United Nations Development Programme, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Ericsson. Held during U.N. Week, the Social Good Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our greatest challenges.

Date: Sept. 22 through Sept. 24

Time: 12 to 6 p.m. each day

Location: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y.

Tickets are sold-out, but tune into the Livestream.