Do you really know? How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?
Jan 7, 2025
Explore the intriguing world of flat Earth beliefs, tracing their origins back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks. Discover how these early models depicted the Earth as a flat disc supported by various fantastical ideas. Dive into the modern resurgence of this conspiracy theory and uncover the motivations that keep it alive, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. What drives people to cling to such beliefs today?
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Flat Earth Beliefs
- Flat Earthers believe the Earth is a flat disc, orbited by a similarly flat Sun and Moon.
- Antarctica is not a continent but a wall of ice surrounding the Earth's edge.
Ancient Beliefs
- Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks believed in a flat Earth.
- However, notable Greek figures like Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle argued for a spherical Earth based on observations.
Rowbottom's Revival
- Samuel Rowbottom, an English writer, claimed an experiment proved the Earth flat, saying boats don't disappear over the horizon.
- He founded the Zetetic Society, later the Flat Earth Society, which published materials promoting the theory.