Yet another one about the Flat Earth. Sorry about that. Ironically it also suggests not to reshare articles about the Flat Earth, so sorry about that too.
In the famous Bedford Level experiment of 1870 instigated by Parallax and conducted by zealot and serial harasser John Hampden in a wager against Wallace, a series of fixed poles representing water level were viewed through a telescope to determine if the water surface was curved. In a nutshell, scientists would view the data as conclusive as showing curvature while the flat-earthers would look through the same telescope and conclude evidence for flatness. The hubris with which flat earthers conclude their knowledge trumps the preponderance of evidence continues to the present day.
Many flat-earthers see the issue as a dichotomy of good vs evil. The Bible and human common sense are good, while big government, elite scientists, and money-hungry corporations are bad. When beliefs are not based on objective factual conclusions but are based on ideology or worldview, no amount of facts or reasoning is likely to change that belief. And, in order to accept a flat earth, you must also accept that the earth does not spin or orbit the sun and that gravity isn’t real.
Calling them stupid, making fun of, or arguing with them is not going to work to pry them away from this view but will only entrench them deeper. They relish being different and controversial. They feel privileged and “in the know” by rejecting the path that the rest of the world follows. There’s no use in lamenting about society’s low science literacy. You can throw all the facts and figures around you wish. Believers won’t budge and will likely have a rebuttal that will sound pretty good to bystanders listening to the debate. If you give them attention, they relish the opportunity to expound on their passionate views – more people will listen to THEM, not you.
I think when the stupidity level reaches that point, there's probably nothing you can do. They'd only end up with some other uber-wacky belief anyway.
[I'd also add that the vast majority of them are fundamentally irrational anyway, so even the best evidence isn't going to work. Being nice to them won't make them any more rational so it won't solve the underlying problem.]
http://spookygeology.com/anti-globular-convictions-flat-earth-belief-explodes-in-popularity/
I once heard a historian declare the spread of every stupid ideology was utterly dependent upon persecution.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how flat earth belief is driven by social media and YouTube. A digital fairytale.
ReplyDeleteAt least it solves the problem of global warming.
ReplyDeleteFrom the article: " But the spookiest part about the flat earth is that, according to proponents of it, is that the church, scientists, the government, the media, and private businesses are all conspiring to hide the truth from the rest of civilization – a very heady and horrifying claim. It’s no coincidence that Flat Earther popularity is resurging at this point in American history. I’m afraid it’s political and almost always has been. "
ReplyDeleteIs this only an American phenomenon or is Flat Earth belief on the rise in other countries as well? Rhys Taylor and Adam Synergy
Money on Joe McGinn being a bot?
ReplyDeleteComments that make no sense get deleted.
ReplyDeleteCiro Villa I don't know about the UK. Anecdotally I haven't heard anyone reporting on any presence of it whatsoever. Here in Prague, a couple of weeks ago at an open day there was apparently one woman who took the Flat Earth "seriously" and didn't believe any counter-explanations. But that's just one anecdote.
Ciro Villa Rhys Taylor
ReplyDeleteOh no.. not young british mums too..
dailymail.co.uk - Mothers being sucked into Flat Earth Female movement | Daily Mail Online
(Looks up Flat Mother's Society. . . No....)
ReplyDeleteAdam Synergy Haa...haa..I have a flat forehead for facepalming so much these days..
ReplyDeleteSchoolchildren are starting to question the well-established fact that the earth is spherical because uninformed celebrities like Kyrie Irving, Tila Tequila and B.o.B. believe the earth is flat.
ReplyDelete