When The World Was Flat
Flat Eath
The belief in a flat Earth is a misconception often attributed to the pre-modern era. Still, the reality is more nuanced, with the concept of a spherical Earth being well-established among educated people in various cultures for over two millennia.
Ancient and Classical Periods
As early as the 6th century BCE, Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras were credited with proposing a spherical Earth, though his reasoning is not well-documented.
By the 4th century BCE, Aristotle provided observational evidence for the Earth's roundness, such as the shape of the Earth's shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse and the way ships disappear hull-first over the horizon.
Eratosthenes, in the 3rd century BCE, not only assumed the Earth was spherical but also calculated its circumference with remarkable accuracy using the angles of the Sun's rays at two different locations.
Medieval Period
Contrary to popular belief, educated Europeans continued to know the Earth was spherical during the Middle Ages. This knowledge was preserved and transmitted by medieval scholars, and the sphericity of the Earth was taught in medieval European universities.
Islamic scholars also understood and expanded upon Greek astronomical theories, including the Earth's roundness, and their works influenced the European Renaissance.
Early Modern Period and Beyond
By the Age of Exploration (15th and 16th centuries), navigators and explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, were well aware of the Earth's roundness. The successful circumnavigation of the Earth by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition (1519-1522) provided practical proof of the concept.
The myth that people in the Middle Ages believed in a flat Earth was popularized in the 19th century, partly by the works of Washington Irving and John William Draper. Modern historians have since debunked this misconception.
Who Still Believes - in the Rick Roll
The belief that the Earth was flat was never a universally held view among educated individuals since classical antiquity. The recognition of the Earth's sphericity was a feature of ancient Greek science and was well-established among scholars throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern period. The narrative of widespread belief in a flat Earth during the Middle Ages is more a product of contemporary misconception and the misrepresentation of historical facts than an accurate portrayal of historical scientific beliefs.
Do people still believe the earth is flat? Yes, there are indeed groups today that genuinely believe the Earth is flat, often called "Flat Earthers." These individuals and groups reject the scientific consensus of the Earth as a sphere and promote the idea that the Earth is a flat, stationary disc. Flat Earth societies and communities have a long history. Still, the modern Flat Earth movement has seen a resurgence in the 21st century, fueled partly by the internet and social media, which facilitate the spread of alternative theories and the organization of like-minded individuals.
Characteristics of Modern Flat Earth Belief Systems
Skepticism of Authority: Many Flat Earthers express a profound skepticism towards scientific authorities and institutions, viewing the spherical Earth theory as a conspiracy perpetrated by governments, space agencies (like NASA), and scientists to deceive the public for various reasons.
Use of Social Media: Modern Flat Earth communities thrive on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and forums, sharing content that questions conventional scientific wisdom and offers "evidence" supporting the flat Earth model.
Conferences and Meetups: Flat Earthers gather at annual conferences and regular meetups to discuss their theories, share ideas, and build community.
Experimental and Observational Claims: Advocates often cite experiments and observations they believe can only be explained by a flat Earth. These include the appearance of the horizon, the behavior of water, and the visibility of distant objects, which they argue are inconsistent with a spherical Earth.
Scientific and Societal Response
Scientific Consensus: The scientific community universally supports the spherical Earth model, backed by centuries of observation, experimentation, and exploration. The consensus is that the evidence for a spherical Earth is overwhelming and unambiguous.
Criticism and Debunking: Scientists and educators actively debunk Flat Earth claims, pointing out flaws in the reasoning and evidence presented by Flat Earthers. Many resources are available that explain basic principles of physics, astronomy, and geography to counter Flat Earth theories.
Media and Documentary Coverage: The Flat Earth movement has been the subject of documentaries and media reports, which explore its psychology and community aspects. These often focus on why individuals might reject established science in favor of fringe theories.
Understanding the Appeal
While the Flat Earth theory is contradicted by evidence and scientific understanding, its persistence and the growth of its community can be attributed to a complex mix of skepticism towards authority, the human tendency to seek like-minded communities, and the appeal of contrarian beliefs that challenge mainstream views. Therefore, The Flat Earth movement provides an interesting case study of faith, community, and skepticism dynamics in the Internet age.
