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
Intersting topic and well done Kori. It was posted a bit late.
I believe that the Earth is not flat and that it is round. I feel that some people think the Earth is flat because they don't understand science and so it looks flat when we are just standing on the gorund looking out. I have not heard much conspiracies besides that the government is trying to lie to us about it.
I don't think the Earth is flat because there are so many reasons it would need to be a sphere. SOme people might think it is flat because of all of the water on the Earth and how it doesn't go anywhere. I have heard conspiracies about the Earth being flat, but I have naver believed them.
No I think that people that think the world is flat have a flat brain. I think that some people think that the earth is flat because all the water mostly stays in the oceans and dosen't just go onto the land when the earth moves. I personally have not heard a good reason of why people think that the world is flat.
I agree, the idea of the Earth moving and rotating while we don't even know it sounds very crazy and is probably a big factor in why people think the Earth is flat. I think some people just like to go with what makes the most sense to them.
No, I personally do not think the Earth is flat. They might think the earth is flat becacause they've either obviously never have seen a picture of the earth in 3D or they just don't have enough common sense. This question is very controversial, people have many different opinions about it, but they are never supported with real reasonings.
I agree, this question is definitely controversial although you'd think it wouldn't be because of how sound the evidence and proof is. Some people definitely have their own opinions and feel very strongly about something but never have real reasonings.
I do not think the earth is flat since all the pictures and information we get of the Earth shows that it's round. I think that they think it's flat because when you look around from a spot you're at it looks flat.
I agree, it's all based on your perspective of the Earth and where you are when you're looking. When you just stand on the Earth it looks flat, which is all most people can see. Some people find pictures hard to believe because they don't know if they're real or fake.
I do not think that the Earth is flat because there is a lot of evidence that prooves that the Earth is round. I think some people think that the Earth is flat simply because they want to have a different opinion than others. The only conspiracy that I have really heard is that the Earth is flat.