Why People Think the World is Flat
Johnny Harris・15 minutes read
A significant number of people believe in a flat earth theory, with younger individuals showing more doubt about the earth's round shape. Despite overwhelming evidence supporting a spherical earth, flat earthers reject mainstream science in favor of personal observation and intuition.
Insights
- The belief in a flat earth theory persists among a significant portion of the population, fueled by YouTube channels and social media pages dedicated to promoting this idea, despite overwhelming evidence supporting a spherical earth.
- Flat earthers reject mainstream scientific methods, advocating for personal observation and intuition over established knowledge, with historical figures like Samuel Rowbotham promoting a reductionist Zetetic method that prioritizes direct observation in understanding the world.
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Recent questions
Is the earth flat according to flat earthers?
Yes
What experiment did flat earthers conduct to prove their theory?
Spirit level on an airplane
Who advocated for the Zetetic method in science?
Parallax
What is the isothermal equidistant projection map used by flat earthers?
Flat earth map
Why do flat earthers reject mainstream science?
Rely on intuition and senses
Related videos
Summary
00:00
Resurgence of Flat Earth Theory: Rejecting Science
- The belief in a flat earth is held by a significant number of people, with YouTube channels and Facebook pages dedicated to the theory.
- A poll revealed that 84% of Americans believe the world is round, with only 66% of 18 to 24-year-olds agreeing.
- Flat earthers believe the North Pole is in the center of a deep ocean, while the South Pole is on a high plateau.
- An experiment using a spirit level on an airplane showed that the earth is flat, as the level remained centered.
- The flat earth theory gained traction in the 1800s as a reaction to the advancement of scientific methods.
- Samuel Rowbotham, also known as Parallax, conducted an experiment with a canal to prove the earth is flat, which was later debunked due to atmospheric refraction.
- Parallax advocated for a simplified, reductionist approach to science called the Zetetic method, focusing on direct observation.
- Flat earthers today continue to reject mainstream science, relying on their intuition and senses to understand reality.
- Modern flat earthers use videos and photos on the internet to support their beliefs, similar to the experiments conducted in the 1800s.
- The resurgence of the flat earth theory in recent years is characterized by a rejection of established scientific knowledge in favor of personal observation and intuition.
13:53
"Flat Earth Theory: Skepticism and Mistrust"
- The isothermal equidistant projection map used by the U.S. GS is the flat earth map, a favorite among flat earthers who prioritize their own senses in discerning the world's true nature.
- The flat earther movement, whether historical or contemporary, extends beyond the earth's shape, focusing on skepticism towards powerful institutions and the dissemination of potentially misleading information.
- Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting a spherical earth, a significant percentage of the population, especially younger individuals, still harbor doubts, reflecting a broader societal mistrust of intangible knowledge.
- Science, with its rigorous processes of observation, debate, and review, continues to expand our understanding of the world, even in the face of persistent beliefs like flat earth theory.
