The article explores the strange and persistent belief in the Flat Earth theory, which, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, still holds sway among certain groups. It highlights that around 10% of Americans, 3% of people in the UK, and 7% of Brazilians believe the Earth is flat.
The article also delves into the story of “Mad Mike” Hughes, an American who risked his life to prove the Earth is flat, gaining support from the Flat Earth community.The article traces the history of the Flat Earth theory, noting how ancient philosophers like Pythagoras and Aristotle established the Earth’s sphericity, which was later confirmed by Eratosthenes and Isaac Newton.
Despite this, figures like Samuel Rowbotham in the 19th century revived Flat Earth theories, leading to their persistence today.The article also examines the role of religion in the Flat Earth belief, with some adherents misinterpreting religious texts to support their views. It warns about the dangers of such conspiracy theories, which are often linked to other beliefs, like the denial of the Moon landing.
The Strange World of Flat Earth Believers: A Deep Dive
Can anyone in the world be so misguided as to genuinely believe in the Flat Earth theory? Sadly, the answer is yes. Around 10% of Americans, 3% of people in the UK, and 7% in Brazil truly think that the Earth is flat. This bizarre belief, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, continues to gain traction in certain circles.
Mad Mike and His Dangerous Pursuits
On September 28, 2002, 46-year-old Mike Hughes, an American limousine driver, made headlines for breaking a peculiar world record—jumping 130 feet in a 3,000 kg limousine. This stunt secured him the world record for the longest limousine ramp jump. But for Mike, this was just the beginning.
In 2014, he built a rocket in his garage and launched himself 13,000 feet into the air. The rocket crash-landed, leaving him injured but undeterred. Two years later, Mike announced an even more ambitious plan: to reach outer space and prove that the Earth is flat. This endeavor earned him the nickname “Mad Mike” because only someone truly daring or unhinged would attempt such deadly stunts.
To fund his venture, Mike launched a Kickstarter campaign, asking for over $100,000. Initially, his campaign floundered, raising only $310. However, when Mike declared that he didn’t believe in science and only trusted what he could see with his own eyes, he suddenly found financial backing. He claimed his goal was to reach space and verify if the Earth was indeed spherical. This statement endeared him to the Flat Earth community, who quickly rallied behind him.
The Persistence of Flat Earth Belief
It’s easy to dismiss the Flat Earth theory as a relic of the past, but a 2021 survey revealed that about 10% of Americans still believe the Earth is flat. Interestingly, this belief is more prevalent among younger generations, such as Gen Z and Millennials. But this phenomenon isn’t confined to the United States. In the UK, around 3% of the population holds this belief, as do 7% of Brazilians and 8% of Bulgarians. Even in Tunisia, a PhD student studying geology attempted to submit a thesis arguing that the Earth is flat.
What’s more shocking is that many of these Flat Earthers are not uneducated. They can read and write, are well-versed in using the internet, and engage in online debates to defend their beliefs. But despite their education, they have, for one reason or another, embraced a theory that has been debunked countless times.
A Look Back in History
The idea of a spherical Earth has been around for millennia. Around 500 BC, the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras observed that the Moon and the Sun were spherical, leading him to conclude that the Earth must also be spherical. Aristotle, around 350 BC, provided further evidence by noting that Earth’s shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse was round.
By 200 BC, Eratosthenes had calculated the Earth’s circumference to be between 37,500 km and 50,000 km—remarkably close to the actual figure of 40,075 km. By the 1600s, when Isaac Newton came along, the idea that the Earth was a sphere was well-established and widely accepted.
The Rise of Flat Earth Theories
Despite this, in 1865, Samuel Rowbotham wrote “Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not A Globe,” a book that remains a cornerstone of the Flat Earth community today. Rowbotham argued that the Earth is flat based on his observations of the horizon and the flatness of large bodies of water. He proposed a new model of the Earth, with the North Pole at the center and Antarctica as a tall ice wall at the edge. According to him, if one were to cross this ice wall, they would fall off the Earth.
Flat Earthers also have a unique explanation for the Sun and Moon. They believe these celestial bodies move in a circular path above the Earth, acting like spotlights. According to a recent model proposed by the Flat Earth community in America, the Sun and Moon are each only 50 km in diameter and circle the Earth at a height of 5,500 km. However, science tells us that the Sun is about 150 million km away, and the Moon is about 400,000 km away.
Mark Sargent, a leading figure in the Flat Earth community, even claims that sunlight is hot and moonlight is cold, basing his theory on the observation that temperatures outside are cooler at night when the Moon is visible.
Religion and the Flat Earth Theory
Flat Earthers often cite religious texts to support their beliefs. For instance, they misinterpret Bible verses like Revelation 7:1, which mentions “four corners of the Earth,” to suggest that the Earth must be flat. However, most scholars agree that such verses are metaphorical rather than literal.
Similarly, some Flat Earthers misinterpret Quranic verses to argue that the Earth is flat. However, since the 9th and 10th centuries AD, most Muslim and Christian scholars have accepted the Earth’s sphericity.
The Danger of Believing in Conspiracies
Flat Earth beliefs are often tied to other conspiracy theories, such as the denial of the Moon landing. In 2015, a Muslim cleric in Saudi Arabia even claimed that the Earth is stationary and that NASA faked the Moon landing. This pattern is common among Flat Earthers—they are more likely to believe in multiple conspiracy theories.
In today’s world, with widespread internet access, the prevalence of airplanes and spaceships, and AI tools like ChatGPT, there is no excuse for clinging to such outdated and disproven ideas. The Indian government even highlighted the importance of AI in its latest economic survey, noting that AI is the biggest disruption for the future of work.
For those looking to upskill themselves in AI, there are comprehensive courses available, like the one offered by ChatGPT, which covers everything from the basics to advanced applications in various sectors. In a world where technology is advancing rapidly, it’s crucial to embrace scientific knowledge and leave behind baseless theories like the Flat Earth.
Conclusion
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the Earth’s roundness, the Flat Earth theory persists, fueled by a mix of skepticism, misinterpretation of religious texts, and a distrust of science. While it’s easy to dismiss Flat Earthers as misguided, their beliefs highlight the importance of critical thinking and the need for better science education in an age where misinformation can spread quickly online.
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