David Weiss is a researcher and content creator who argues that Earth is flat.
I am not convinced that Earth is flat but I have no idea how to prove that Earth is a sphere spinning in space without outsourcing my thinking.
Isn’t this a ridiculous topic?
Yes, it would appear so.
But I think it’s important not to be dogmatic.
Engaging with flat-Earthers can stimulate critical thinking skills by encouraging us to examine and analyse evidence, identify logical fallacies, and strengthen our ability to construct well-reasoned arguments. It prompts us to hold up a mirror and to scrutinise our own beliefs, ensuring that they are grounded in sound reasoning rather than blind acceptance.
Considering alternative perspectives allows us to question the assumptions and biases that underpin our own worldview.
Some of the arguments
Whether by design or emergence, there has been an uptick in flat-Earth dialogue in recent years. I find the general discourse a bit superficial due to the lack of rigorous scientific experimentation coupled with excessive amounts of memes.
However, there are some arguments with merit, such as:
- Horizon appears flat from any altitude.
- Horizon rises to eye level as altitude is gained.
- Water naturally finds and maintains a level surface.
- Rivers flow in all directions over the Earth, suggesting a flat plane.
- Nile River flows for over 1,600 kilometres with only a 0.3-metre drop.
- Standing water experiments show no curvature.
- Surveyors, engineers, and architects do not account for Earth’s curvature in projects.
- The North Star, Polaris, remains fixed in the sky, visible only in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The Suez Canal, spanning 161 kilometres, shows no curvature.
- The Bedford Level experiment shows no curvature over a 9.6-kilometre stretch of water.
- The Michelson-Morley experiment failed to prove the Earth’s motion.
- The Coriolis effect is not evident in objects like clouds and balloons.
- The horizon does not drop as altitude increases, contrary to a spherical Earth.
- The Antarctic Treaty prevents independent exploration of Antarctica, which could prove a flat Earth.
- The distances in the Southern Hemisphere on a globe model do not match real-world travel times and distances.
- The Sun’s rays often come in at angles that suggest a closer and smaller Sun.
- The Moon’s light has a cooling effect, contrary to reflected sunlight.
- Stars have been observed moving in paths that suggest a flat Earth.
- The behaviour of gravity is inconsistent with a spherical Earth.
- The lack of visible curvature from high-altitude balloons and planes.
- The behaviour of the atmosphere does not align with a spinning Earth.
- The lack of change in star constellations over time suggests a stationary Earth.
- The behaviour of gyroscopes is cited as evidence against Earth’s rotation.
- The lack of a measurable curve in large bodies of water like lakes.
Why does it matter?
The argument goes more or less like the following.
The Earth being flat and stationary challenges mainstream consensus. There is a global deception on a grand scale. Believing in a flat Earth leads to questioning the credibility of governments, space agencies, and educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the belief in a spherical Earth (spinning in space) is mind control for the purpose of making people feel insignificant and dependent on those in power.
Flat Earth theory reveals the existence of a divine creator; the lie about Earth being round is to hide God.
I might have parts of it wrong, but that’s how I understand it.
David Weiss presented a slideshow.
