Since the time of Euclid and Ptolemy, one simple fact has been held out to be the true test of knowledge, logic, and rational thinking. If a person accepted the fact that the Earth is round, like a rubber ball or an apple, then that person could be considered rational, considerate, and scientific. Though immediately counterintuitive and seemingly unprovable, accepting the round Earth signifies a trust in the objective nature of the scientific method, that even our most sturdy assumptions and logical beliefs can be proven wrong with evidence.
This view is adamantly rejected by the American Flat Earth Society, revived from a 50s trend in 2007 that now boasts an online membership of over 200 and two online discussion forums. On November 8th, 2017 the Society will host their first ever International Conference in Raleigh, Virginia, gathering a wide variety of visitors from radio conspiracy personalities to discussion board moderators to a Chinese herbalist medicine sponsor with focuses on questionable spiritualist techniques. The Flat Earth Society structures their argument for a flat Earth around the Zetetic Method, developed in the 1850s by English writer Samuel “Parallax” Rowbotham. Through measurements of his local Bedford River (which failed to account for atmospheric light displacement), Rowbotham claimed conclusive evidence for the flat Earth, citing the literal interpretation of the Bible as further evidence. Under the Zetetic Method, human perception and senses are held as the end-all evidence for all beliefs: because we can see nor sense no curvature in the Earth, the method reasons, then there must be no curvature. In addition to this basic assumption, the Flat Earth society holds many, often contradictory, explanations for natural phenomenon on a flat Earth. Under their most recent model, Earth is a disk with the North Pole at its center and a 150 feet tall Antarctic wall of ice on its sides. The Sun and Moon are also separate disks that are pulled across the sky over the course of the day, while tidal patterns can be explained through the existence of an Anti-Moon. Of course, global governments and the scientific community are all dedicated to hiding this secret-- with the space program and scientific evidence all being made-up bogus-- even to the point of drowning an astronaut who knew too much. Today’s Flat Earth Society is the final incarnation in a string of more widespread, successful conspiracy societies. Perhaps the most popular iteration of the organization would be the English Universal Zetetic Society of the late 19th century, receiving support from Lady Elizabeth Blount, an admirer of Samuel Rowbotham; this society was know for upstaging prominent scientists during debates in front of mass audiences. Revived in 1956 by Doverite, Samuel Shenton, the Zetetic Society was inherited by Charles K. Johnson, an American who moved headquarters to California, in 1971. Now primarily based on Bible-Literalist theology, Johnson claimed over 3500 members and even published a weekly 4-page newsletter. However, in 1997, all membership records were lost in a house fire, and the society soon sundered with Johnson’s death. Today’s claimant to the Flat Earth mantle is a result of a constant evolution over 200 years. Founded by Daniel Shenton in 2004, it has taken to the internet with an avid following of 500 and growing. Adapting to modern times, the current society offers multiple forums, message boards, and explanation videos. The Flat Earth Theorists of today represent a broader cultural movement of disillusionment with the doom-and-preservation outlook of modern science, constantly warning against the destructive power of Mother Nature in terms of climate change and pollution. Before the 1960s and the wide publication of Climate Change studies, the scientific community almost universally supported an illusion of progress: that the Human Race would forever innovate into the future, and that Progress of the future would eventually solve all the problems of today. The widespread acknowledgement of climate change and conservation changed that outlook to one of caution, rightly warning that the pursuit of progress today could mean sacrificing the world of tomorrow. Theorists witness these alarmist claims, and hope to rationalize them, so as to not to change their status quo and hopeful view of the world. Thus, scientific theories that are more complicated and less approachable are seen as being made without any tangible and visible evidence, and so considered a cover-up or farce. From the disillusionment with objective, calculated Modern Science sprang the belief that the Scientific Method was inherently flawed, and so human perception, and maybe even emotion, must rank above it. This disillusionment with society, government, and conglomerated ideas also contribute to the widespread American belief in conspiracies. According to the American Journal of Political Science, half of all Americans believe in at least one conspiracy theory, ranging from “The Moon Landing was Faked” to “The CIA killed Kennedy” to “President Obama is a Secret Lizard”. Though many beliefs held by conspirators are far out of the mainstream, and often are backed by contradicting or illogical evidence, Conspirators will nonetheless believe because it offers a simpler or less traumatic version of events that make sense logically. Americans worried with the government oversight of NASA turned to Moon landing fakings, shocked at the death of Camelot turned to CIA plots, and angry at the election of President Obama turned to alien invasion. Though these theories are more acceptable, they lack the depth and knowledge to become informed judgements of actual events. Of course, many conspiracies, such as cigarettes being harmful and the effects of global warming have been proven true, but only after extensive further research and cooperation with mainstream scientists and beliefs. But the alarming inability for Flat Earth Theorists to consider sitting down for discussion with the scientific community signifies a changing trend between Conspirators of the past and today. While the 1950 Flat Earth Society was willing to hold debates and discussion with the scientific community, the modern, online iteration is far more divisive. Opposing voices, perhaps due to the disconnect of the internet, are immediately shot down violently, and an Echo Chamber of Confirmation Biased sources is formed, seemingly bustling with information to support the Flat Earth Theory while completely ignoring mainstream science. To be clear, this is not the official mission of the Flat Earth Society, and definitely not the intentions of its founder, Daniel Shenton, who has proven to be quite reasonable and accepting of modern scientific theories when questions, nor the moderators who try to keep order on the page. However, In the end, this minority of iration contributes to the wider Echo Chamber growing in our nation, in which our confirmation biases online refuse to acknowledge the existence of valid counter arguments and viewpoints, preventing the true effect of discourse. Conspiracies are never purely harmless, nor purely for fun. Their believers truly believe in the message of alternative truth, and for many, their reasoning extends far beyond the simple disillusionment expressed in their article. However, even something as seemingly ridiculous as Flat Earthism deserves a second glance, and an exploration of its motives, methods, and immense impacts on our society.
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By Kuang WangKuang is the Chief Editor of the Hallway Herald, please come to him if you want to publish anything! ArchivesCategories |