Unveiling the Debate: The Earth Is Flat?


Introduction


The flat-earth conspiracy is probably the most curious of all the conspiracy theories that have polluted the Internet. The belief that the earth is flat has been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks thought that the earth was a disk, and this view persisted until the time of Christopher Columbus. In 1492, Columbus set out to sail westward to India but landed in the Americas instead. His voyage proved that the earth was round, and the flat earth theory began to lose favor. The rise of science in the 17th century dealt another blow to the flat earth theory, as observations of celestial bodies made it clear that the earth was a sphere.

However, some people still cling to the belief that the earth is flat. These believers contend that the evidence suggesting that the earth is round—such as photographs from space—is an elaborate hoax involving multiple governments. The Flat Earth Society was founded in the 1950s, and while its membership has fluctuated over the years, there is still a small core group of adherents. The society provides a forum for flat-earth believers to share their theories and discuss evidence supporting their cases. While the scientific community has overwhelmingly rejected the notion that the earth is flat, the Flat Earth Society continues to insist that the evidence is being misinterpreted. Whether they will be able to convert any skeptics remains to be seen.

Flat Earth Map


How do we know the earth is flat?


The temperature proves that the earth is flat!

Temperature can be used to support the flat-earth theory! Many people think the earth is round because they have been taught this since they were young. However, there is evidence to suggest that the earth is flat. One piece of evidence is the temperature. If the earth were round, areas closer to the sun would be much hotter than other areas. However, temperature data shows that this is not the case. Some areas closer to the sun are not significantly hotter than others. This suggests that the earth is flat. So do not be fooled by what you have been taught all your life. The evidence suggests that the earth is flat!

Wind models prove that the earth is flat!

Wind models are used to predict the flow of wind around the globe. These models are based on the premise that the earth is a sphere. However, some people have claimed that these models can be used to prove that the earth is flat. The reasoning goes like this: If the earth were genuinely round, the wind would blow in a circular pattern around the globe. However, wind models show that the wind blows straight from west to east. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is that the earth must be flat.

So-called "scientists" will try to convince you that wind models consider the Coriolis Effect, which causes winds to blow in a curved pattern around a spinning object, such as the earth. As a result, wind models are not proof of a flat earth – they are accurate predictions of how the wind will flow around our planet. However, do you trust a force you cannot see or feel?

Precipitation proves that the earth is flat!

Precipitation is one of the most critical pieces of evidence that the earth is flat. Precipitation falls straight down, which would be impossible if the earth were round. If the earth were round, precipitation would fall at an angle instead of straight down. Precipitation proves that the earth is flat.

proves of flat earth - earth is flat

How do we know the earth is not flat?


The moon

The moon is one of the most explicit proofs that the earth is not flat. The shapes of the shadows cast by the moon onto the earth's surface during a lunar eclipse are always curved and never straight. If the earth were flat, the shadows would be straight. The fact that they are curved shows that the earth is round. The earth's curvature is also clearly visible from outer space and high places on Earth where the horizon can be seen. The fact that the moon can be seen from different points on Earth at different times also proves that the earth is round. The moon provides clear evidence that disproves any theories about a flat earth, and anyone who denies this ignores the proof that is right there in front of them. The ancients knew that the earth was round, and it is only in recent years that some people have tried to claim otherwise. The truth is clear to anyone who cares to look.

Gravitational pull

The earth's gravitational pull keeps us anchored here on the planet's surface. It also allows us to walk around without floating off into space. The force of gravity is created by the object's mass, in this case, the earth. The more mass an object has, the more gravity it has. The earth's gravity is quite strong. If you were to jump off a building, you would quickly be pulled back to the ground. We do not always feel the force of gravity because we are used to it. We are so used to the earth's gravity that we do not even think about it. The force of gravity also keeps objects in orbit around the earth. The International Space Station, for example, is constantly falling toward the earth. However, it is moving so fast that it never hits the ground. It just continues to fall around and around in a circle. The force of gravity is powerful, and it is something that we rely on every day, even though we may not realize it.

The most common argument put forward by flat-earth believers is that if the earth were round, we would feel a gravitational pull from all sides. However, this argument ignores that gravity is a function of mass, not size. The more mass an object has, the more vital its gravitational force will be. The earth has more mass than anything else in our solar system, which is why we feel its gravitational pull more than we feel the pull of any other body. In conclusion, there is no evidence to support the claim that the earth is flat and ample evidence to disprove it.


Psychology of conspiracy theory


Belief is a cognitive representation of the nature of reality, including our inner experiences, the world around us, and the world beyond. The human brain is created to believe and find conspiracy theories, meaning it can find meaningful patterns in the world around it. Humans are very advanced in their ability to draw conclusions and predict outcomes based on observations and sensory data. The belief that the earth is flat has been extensively debunked by science, yet the Flat Earth Society continues to grow in popularity. The Society's beliefs are mainly based on “confirmation bias,” which is the tendency to seek out information that supports one's existing beliefs and to ignore information that contradicts those beliefs. The Society also has a general distrust of authority, leading them to deny evidence that disproves their beliefs. The Flat Earth Society is an example of how cognitive biases can lead people to believe in false information, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

 
 
Shahariar Akram

Shahariar Akram is currently studying Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Brac University. He completed his SSC from Noakhali Zilla School and HSC from University Laboratory College. Shahariar loves to contemplate the purpose of life and dwells on the merits of existence and reality. Shahariar wants to be remembered as an introvert who hates social interactions but chooses to live in a world of thought and possibility.

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