![]() ![]() ![]() Ironically, what many would call an anti-intellectual movement tries to mimic the work of scientists. Contemporary Flat Earth theory calls for the dismissal of many basic scientific principles such as gravity and the Coriolis Effect. This burden is reflected in the quasi-intellectual approach to building principles of Flat Earth that many actively discuss. In a way, this deep-seated suspicion of all governmental activity is what binds all of these conspiracy theories together.īut Flat Earth requires something beyond other theories: a complete rejection of the scientific order. Flat Earth groups often call out NASA, accusing it of using CGI and faking most, if not all, of its missions. It’s similar to other popular conspiracies, like the moon landing theory, in the sense that it accuses the government of lying to further some sort of agenda. So this raises the question for us globe heads: why? How could a group of people believe that the Earth is flat? What has happened?Ĭonspiracy theories have always existed, but Flat Earth is particularly baffling. One concerned patron talked about the problems of having a “globe head” fiancée, and asked for tips about convincing a significant other of “the truth.” Followers also show interest in making Flat Earth friends and incorporating Flat Earth into their daily lives. On these dedicated groups, Flat-Earthers openly discuss aspects of Flat Earth theory such as the lack of visible curvature of the earth, or a “Flat Earth” map, which resembles the United Nations logo with Antarctica encircling the Earth on its fringes. Additionally, Britain’s first Flat Earth conference is happening this weekend (at the time of this article’s writing). played host to the first “ Flat Earth convention ,” with invited speakers, plenty of merchandise for sale, and hundreds of Flat-Earthers eagerly awaiting to share their ideas. There were numerous links to websites that discussed Flat Earth Theory and a host of YouTube channels. Looking at the 45,000 members of “Flat Earth-No Trolls” revealed a dedicated community. According to the Economist, Google searches for Flat Earth have tripled in the last two years. In particular, singer B.o.B has become an active proponent of the movement, even starting a GoFundMe page to purchase weather balloons for Flat Earth experimentation. With the help of several celebrities, the Flat Earth theory has re-entered the public sphere, some 2500 years after it was first dismissed by the ancient Athenians. And as of late, it has become no laughing matter. But in 1956, amidst the Space Race between the US and the USSR, the Flat Earth society was founded by a skeptic from England. The Flat Earth model has long been dismissed, as early as the time of Aristotle. To many, a spherical earth is a scientific certainty, a basic understanding of the world taught to us at an early age. ![]() I learned that Flat Earth is for real, only confirmed by a pinned post that revealed a neatly written “code of conduct” along with a prodigious list of links to Flat Earth websites and documentaries. After a good deal of time scrolling through the page, it became quickly apparent that this wasn’t just another meme page my friends had added me too. But, there I was, late on a Monday night, sifting through a group called “Flat Earth-No Trolls.” Globe head, as I learned from a post, refers to someone who believes the Earth is a globe, evidently an unwelcome perspective in the group. I had never encountered such terms before. ![]()
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