What ecological term describes when a diminished view of the Milky Way becomes the accepted normal state for city dwellers?
Answer
Shifting baseline syndrome
For individuals who mature in heavily illuminated urban or suburban settings where the Milky Way is perpetually invisible due to light pollution, the lack of this natural phenomenon is not recognized as a deficit. This phenomenon, studied by ecologists, is labeled as shifting baseline syndrome. It signifies a gradual cultural acceptance where a compromised or diminished environmental state—in this case, the inability to see the galaxy—is erroneously adopted as the baseline standard for what constitutes a normal, natural environment.
#Videos
What Does The Milky Way Look Like - YouTube
Capturing the Milky Way from Every Light Pollution Level - YouTube
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