In a Study of 2,600 People, None Named Social Media as a Source of Awe
Awe-inspiring experiences are unforgettable, but yesterday's scrolling is hard to remember at all.
Andrew Huberman · Cultivating Awe & Emotional Connection in Daily Life | Dr. Dacher KeltnerIn a study of 2,600 people around the world asked about the sources of awe in their lives, none mentioned being on Meta, Facebook, or Instagram, said Dacher Keltner, a psychologist who studies emotion.
In an interview published in April 2026, Keltner said going to the movies was down 40 percent, and he said people share music less than they used to. He worries that online life disrupts sharing, and said the challenge for technology is enabling the sharing of experience.
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman says awe-inspiring experiences are ones you never forget, such as a first concert, a first kiss, or a painful breakup.
Huberman says he tries this test on himself with social media: he does not think he remembers anything specific from the day before, despite tons of sensory input.
Friends with alcohol or drug problems say the experience is compelling but they have nothing to say about it afterward, Huberman says. He calls that a space-time disintegration, and calls social media the direct opposite of awe.
Questions people ask
What do people actually name when they describe awe?
Most often they name nature, music, art, spirituality, births and deaths, and collective moments like concerts and sports. In Keltner's work, the common thread is feeling small as part of something vast. Social connection shows up again and again.
Why would awe be more memorable than scrolling?
Awe involves novelty, strong emotion, and a sense of vastness, all of which help the brain encode long-term memories. Scrolling offers rapid novelty without deep processing, so little gets consolidated. Psychologists call the difference shallow exposure versus elaborative encoding.
Is there a quick way to get more awe in daily life?
Yes. Keltner's lab studied a weekly awe walk, where older adults slowed down and paid attention to small details opening into vast ones. After eight weeks they reported more awe and less distress. Even brief nature breaks, live music, and looking at horizons can help.