Flat Earth Believers: Debunking Myths and Confronting Disbelief

Every photo you show them is fake according to flat earth believers. The belief that the Earth is flat has persisted for centuries, today predominantly through the online world. But how do flat earthers respond to photos of Earth from space, and why do they deny the overwhelming evidence? This article aims to explore these questions, debunking myths and confronting the disbelief that surrounds flat earth conspiracy theories.

Understanding Flat Earthers

Flat earthers, a subset of the broader flat earth community, are those who believe that the Earth is flat, in contrast to the overwhelming scientific consensus. Their beliefs stem from a wide array of personal experiences, cultural influences, and a desire to reject what they perceive as mainstream scientific dogma.

Responses to Space Photos: Denial and Doubt

The sight of Earth from space is a clear and indisputable piece of evidence that the Earth is round. However, flat earth believers often dismiss this straightforward scientific proof. Here is a typical response from a flat earther when presented with photos from space:

Panic. Then calming themselves down by saying ‘it’s fake’. Every photo you show is fake according to them.

This assertion is a common refrain among flat earthers, who often remain steadfast in their belief despite evidence to the contrary. For instance, if you show them photos from the Apollo missions or images shared by modern satellites, their initial reaction is panic. They then try to rationalize their disbelief by insisting the photos are fabricated.

A Personal Account

I have a very close cousin who was a flat earther about five years ago. He told me, with a confident smirk, that there is no real photo of the planet Earth. When I showed him photos from the Apollo missions, from Apollo 8 to Apollo 17, his response was to mock and make disgusting noises. He then told me that NASA themselves say that all their images are digital.

It is untrue that all their photos are digital, and it is even more incorrect to claim they are digitally composite. I explained to him the concept of compositing images due to the great distance to Earth, but he remained stubborn, refusing to listen to reason.

It is often impossible to convince a flat earther, as they have chosen to be stubborn and ignore irrefutable facts. There are those who are undecided and have come across videos about the flat earth theory, but these individuals can appear rational at first glance. However, after doing no research, their arguments may seem valid. These individuals are the only ones I try to discuss with, in an effort to save them from ignorance and the dark whirlpool of conspiracy theories.

The Evolution of Flat Earthers

In the 1800s, flat-eartherism was seen as a fringe scientific theory. The evidence of the Earth’s shape was still theoretical enough that people could look at contrarian research and still consider themselves scientists. However, with the first successful launches that allowed direct observation of the Earth’s shape, flat-eartherism ceased to be a scientific theory and became a conspiracy theory. This shift occurred in real-time, as the first rockets sent up and photographed the Earth caused flat-earth theorists to immediately claim the photos were fake.

Their continued insistence that evidence is fake, despite advancements in space technology and satellite imagery, has led flat earthers to adopt the mindset of conspiracy theorists. They assume the existence of a powerful and secretive cabal controlling the Earth’s scientific establishment, space agencies, and even airlines. This level of belief is impossible to argue with, as all evidence can be dismissed as part of the conspiracy. Even if you show them something that contradicts their worldview, they won’t believe you.

Conclusion

Flat earthers may deny the overwhelming evidence of the Earth’s shape and the scientific world at large. Their beliefs are rooted in a combination of personal experiences, cultural influences, and a desire to reject mainstream scientific dogma. However, it is crucial to understand that flat earth believes stem from a broader context of conspiracy theories. By engaging in rational dialogue, we can help individuals move away from these beliefs and towards a better understanding of the world.