How did the theory of the flat earth start?
As most people know, when you stand on the ground and look around, you can’t tell that the Earth is round and looks very flat instead. In order to see the curved horizon, you have to be at least 35,000 ft above the ground. Obviously, this takes advanced technology to accomplish, so for a very long time, people could not see that the Earth had a curve and just thought it was flat. Many ancient philosophers perceived the Earth to be a flat disk floating in the ocean.
Flat Earth Society
Although we have made discoveries and have had technological advances that prove the Earth is round, many people still seem to be infatuated with the idea of the Earth being flat. In the 1830s, the concept of the flat earth was reinstated by a commune in Britain, led by Samuel Birley Rowbotham. This was in response to the scientific progress being made. In the 1950s, the Flat Earth Society was created. The group was based in Britain with around 4,000 members. When social media became popular and started to have a great influence, the organization relaunched itself worldwide in October 2009.
This group has many similar beliefs to the philosophers before they were able to see that the Earth was round. They believe that the Sun and the Moon are about 51 miles in diameter and circle around the flat disk about 3,147 miles away. Some believe that Antarctica spreads infinitely across the world, and some refuse to believe the conventional laws of gravity and instead believe that the flat Earth accelerates upwards and creates the illusion of gravity.
I don’t think the Earth is flat. I don’t know exactly why people choose to believe their theories versus scientific facts, proof, and evidence. I think they might just want to go against society, disagree for attention or entertainment, or they just genuinely think the Earth is flat. I think the scientific evidence is trustworthy and there is no way that the Earth is flat.
Do you think the Earth is flat?
Why do you think some people think the Earth is flat?
What are some ideas/conspiracies you have heard about the flat earth?
Replies
I agree, the Earth is definitely round and not flat. People who think the earth is flat definitely think that because they've never seen it for themselves in real life. I think that's a terrible mindset to have because there are so many things we'll never actually see that are real.
I don't think that the earth is flat but I can get why some people think that the earth is flat because people cant see the curve of the earth.
I agree. I think the fact that you can't see the curve of the Earth unless you are however many miles away from the Earth's surface has definitely confused some people and made them believe that the Earth is flat.
I do not think that the Earth is flat because there is lots of evidence supporting this. For example, there are plenty of photos from space that show that the Earth is round and is not flat. I think some people think the Earth is flat for attention or they just don't know how to comprehend things.
I agree, I haven't actually met a flatearther but I feel like they might struggle to understand other concepts of nature that mankind has discovered in the last century or so. I want to actually meet someone like this so I can hear what they think about similar topics.
I don't believe that the earth is flat. If the world were flat that would make zero sense. How would flying to a different part of the world work? If the world were flat the water would fall off the edges. Planes would just fly right into space.
I agree. A flat Earth just doesn't make any sense. Everything we know, hear, see, would be drastically different. I don't understand how people can think that a flat Earth is logical when there is really just no way it could ever work.
No, I do not think the Earth is flat. I think some people think the Earth is flat because the Earth map is flat. I have heard the earth is flat because of the map being flat. I have also heard the earth is flat because car drive straight they would start to float but not true because of gravity.
I agree. I have heard the theory about the map of the Earth, but I think people who say that are only saying it as a joke, because that one is just ridiculous. Maps were made long after the Earth and the flat Earth theory and maybe even when we found out it was round.
I do not think that the Earth is flat, because there are first of all pictures of the earth from space but besides that there is a lot of evidence proving the Earth is round. I think people who believe the Earth is flat are a little crazy and think the evidence is fake or just prove anything.
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