Ancient Understanding of Earth's Shape

The earliest acknowledgment of a spherical Earth appears in ancient Greek philosophical texts dating back to the fifth century BCE, long before Columbus's time. By the third century BCE, the idea of a spherical Earth had been assimilated into mainstream Greek astronomy, with scholars even attempting to measure the Earth's circumference. Notably, the scholar Eratosthenes calculated the Earth's circumference with remarkable precision, achieving less than a 2% margin of error. Although Eratosthenes's original writings on this method are lost, Cleomedes recorded a simplified version, which involved comparing the shadow lengths cast by the sun during the summer solstice in two different Egyptian cities (Russo, 2004).

Over the following centuries, astronomers and mathematicians from various cultures, including Greece, Rome, India, and the Islamic World, continued to refine their calculation techniques. They employed methods like observing star motions, calculating angles between terrain features, and timing ocean sunsets from varying heights. While not all of their methods yielded accurate results (the sunset technique, for instance, is flawed due to atmospheric interference), many did. The Indian mathematician Aryabhata not only estimated the Earth's circumference with 99.6% accuracy but also described its axial rotation and determined the length of a year (Selin, 1997). Despite some discrepancies, the consensus among scholars was clear: our planet is unequivocally spherical. By the time Columbus embarked on his journey, the belief in a spherical Earth was well established.

Resurgence of Flat-Earth Beliefs

Despite our ability to measure the Earth's size through various reliable methods today, there has been a troubling resurgence of individuals who reject the spherical Earth conclusion—known as Flat-Earthers. This movement emerged in the mid-20th century but gained significant traction in the 21st century, largely due to the rise of social media, which facilitates the rapid spread of misinformation.

Numerous pseudoscientific organizations have sprung up around this belief, with many individuals attempting to substantiate their claims that the Earth is flat. Much of their "evidence" stems from simplistic observations made from elevated locations, where they argue that the absence of visible curvature proves a flat Earth. Even former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal identified himself as a Flat-Earther in 2017, claiming that the Earth appeared flat during his cross-country drives (Boogie Cousins Trade, 2017). Among the leading theories held by Flat-Earthers is the notion that Earth is a disk, with the North Pole at its center and surrounded by an ice barrier (Antarctica). They contend that images of Earth from space are manipulated and that NASA is a fraudulent agency filled with actors pretending to be astronauts.

The question remains: what has fueled this resurgence? For some, religious beliefs play a role, where a flat Earth ideology is often accompanied by a conviction in a young Earth and a literal interpretation of biblical creation stories. This leads them to reject scientific theories, including the round Earth model. Others, not motivated by religion, share a similar skepticism towards science, driven by distrust of authority and a propensity to believe in conspiracy theories involving scientists and government entities.

While some individuals may embrace Flat-Earth beliefs as a form of rebellion rather than genuine conviction, most researchers suggest that the majority of followers are sincere in their beliefs. Psychologists have proposed that the movement's popularity could be attributed to the vocal and assertive nature of its proponents. In contrast, supporters of a spherical Earth often feel little need to defend their views, resulting in a perception that support for the flat Earth hypothesis is more substantial than it is.

The Need for Truth in Science

The rise of the Flat-Earth movement highlights a concerning decline in public trust in science. While Flat-Earthers do not constitute a majority or even a significant minority, other pseudoscientific beliefs—such as climate change denial and vaccine hesitancy—are embraced by millions and supported by numerous political figures. The Flat-Earth movement, along with these others, is primarily driven by a mistrust of authority and a belief in the corruption of scientists and their political allies.

How can scientists and science advocates regain this trust? While it may be tempting to ignore these factions, it is essential not to do so. In an era of increasing scientific and technological challenges, we must rally the support of the majority to ensure the election of officials who are committed to enacting policies informed by science.

Despite the deeply entrenched nature of these beliefs, one effective strategy for combating science denial is through public education about the scientific process. While scientists transparently share their methods in published research, such information is often only accessible to those with scientific training. Furthermore, mainstream media typically omits these details in favor of sensational narratives. Many in the public lack familiarity with the peer review process—an extensive evaluation that scientific articles undergo before publication. Consequently, many science skeptics may misunderstand the nature of scientific inquiry.

As advocates for science, we must strive to educate those skeptical of scientific findings about the rigorous methodologies scientists employ and the commitment to objectivity that characterizes their work. We must also emphasize that scientists are, at their core, ordinary people like everyone else.

The first video titled "Blue Spheres Forever" explores the themes of curiosity and discovery, showcasing the journey of understanding our world through a unique lens.

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Sources

Boogie Cousins Trade and Wrestlemania [Radio series episode]. (2017). In The Big Podcast With Shaq.

Selin, H. (Ed.). (1997). Encyclopaedia of History, Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Culture (pp. 72–73). Dordrecht: Kluwer.