Episode 58 - History of the Flat Earth Debate

Breaking Bad Science

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In 1983, Terry Prachett brought the fantastical planet to life that he referred to as discworld. The series would prove to be wildly popular and inspire all sorts of fantasy writers today. It was, however, a fantasy series. The idea of a disc shaped world has long since been dismissed, at least outside this genre of novels for perhaps quite a bit longer than most of us realize. So why can so many of us name at least one person who is certain the Earth is flat or is a part of the Flat Earth Society; especially considering a man walked 800 km measuring every step to prove it's not. I know Kyrie Irving is an athlete, but something tells me he hasn't repeated this test. Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we discuss the history of the shape of the Earth and how religions, cults, and the internet have molded our perspective.

References

1. Brown, C.; Measuring the Circumference of the Earth. Khan Academy. 13-Jun-201. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/big-history-project/solar-system-and-earth/knowing-solar-system-earth/a/eratosthenes-of-cyrene
2. Dure, B.; Flat-Earthers are Back: ‘It’s Almost Like the Beginning of a New Religion’. The Guardian. 20-Jan-2016. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jan/20/flat-earth-believers-youtube-videos-conspiracy-theorists
3. Dwyer, C.; ‘I Don’t Believe in Science,’ Says Flat-Earther Set to Launch Himself in Own Rocket. NPR. 22-Nov-2017. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/22/565926690/i-dont-believe-in-science-says-flat-earther-set-to-launch-himself-in-own-rocket
4. Malik, T.; ‘Mad Mike’ Hughes, Daredevil Who Built a Homemade Steam Rocket, Dies in Launch Attempt. Space.com. 23-Feb-2020. https://www.space.com/daredevil-mad-mike-hughes-dies-in-homemade-rocket-launch.html
5. UselessPickles. Behind the Scenes: Flat Basketball Proof. Imgur.com. 10-Jun-2018. https://imgur.com/gallery/nSGtPtz
6. Enns, P.; The Firmament of Genesis 1 is Solid but That’s Not the Point. Biologos. 14-Jan-2010. https://biologos.org/articles/the-firmament-of-genesis-1-is-solid-but-thats-not-the-point/

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