I remember that great documentary on them that really subtly but clearly highlighted why the whole phenomenon happens - it has nothing to do with intelligence, nor logic. Most of them are smart enough to understand the concept of a globe. But they find community, they find importance, prominence. They find friends. Engagement. The main guy featured in the documentary had never really won at anything, lived in his mom’s basement, when these videos started bringing him some level of respect and fame… he met a lady from around the globe who was into it… they organized a convention together… people looked up to him, he felt smart and appreciated. They also did an experiment that also turned out wrong, as is necessary when you are wrong. You can see the glimmer of doubt and then everyone doubling back down to ‘we need even more precise gear, we need a better experiment, we must have done it wrong’. By the end of the movie you really feel he kind of gets it isn’t real, but you can absolutely see why he is not willing to let go. He would lose everything.
Amazing documentary, I found it fascinating on so many levels. I especially loved how it wasn’t trying to take mean swipes but genuinely present its subjects, which made it amazingly nuanced.
I’ve always thought of flat earthers as too ridiculous to be interesting, but you’ve convinced me that this is an interesting lab in which to watch how people rationalise an opinion despite all evidence to the contrary. And how for some people, miraculously, evidence finally gets through.
I remember that great documentary on them that really subtly but clearly highlighted why the whole phenomenon happens - it has nothing to do with intelligence, nor logic. Most of them are smart enough to understand the concept of a globe. But they find community, they find importance, prominence. They find friends. Engagement. The main guy featured in the documentary had never really won at anything, lived in his mom’s basement, when these videos started bringing him some level of respect and fame… he met a lady from around the globe who was into it… they organized a convention together… people looked up to him, he felt smart and appreciated. They also did an experiment that also turned out wrong, as is necessary when you are wrong. You can see the glimmer of doubt and then everyone doubling back down to ‘we need even more precise gear, we need a better experiment, we must have done it wrong’. By the end of the movie you really feel he kind of gets it isn’t real, but you can absolutely see why he is not willing to let go. He would lose everything.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, that was Behind the Curve on Netflix, which first got me into this whole thing.
Amazing documentary, I found it fascinating on so many levels. I especially loved how it wasn’t trying to take mean swipes but genuinely present its subjects, which made it amazingly nuanced.
This is insane, I didn't know there are people who believe Earth is flat... wow!
I’ve always thought of flat earthers as too ridiculous to be interesting, but you’ve convinced me that this is an interesting lab in which to watch how people rationalise an opinion despite all evidence to the contrary. And how for some people, miraculously, evidence finally gets through.
The Flat Earth Society has members around the globe.😉