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It's funny how multiple people mentioned topology. But the simple response is that you just went in a loop on a plane, because you don't know how to navigate pr
by hyperpape 10y ago
It's funny how multiple people mentioned topology. But the simple response is that you just went in a loop on a plane, because you don't know how to navigate properly.
Of course, I believe you! I'm not a flat earther. But to someone who has already made the mistakes necessary to convince themselves that the earth is flat, it's easy to deny your proof. You don't have direct empirical evidence, you have the evidence that you went in a loop, plus a bunch of science that these people have crazy reasons for denying, and that science tells you that loop involved going around a sphere.
- jshevek 10y agoGood work at devil's advocate. Maybe you can help me with this -- how can someone be a flat earther in the absence of any evidence of any edge to the surface of the earth? What is the counter argument to this?
- Nursie 10y agoThat one's easy ;) Antartica is not an island continent, but an ice-wall that extends around the entire flat earth Nobody has ever got a photograph of the edge because you can't go there, you're not allowed. The governments of the world see to that!
- jshevek 10y agoCreative! This reminds me of FreeCiv maps with the 'flat earth topology' option turned on. The edge of the earth must be long enough to encompass the earth. So the folks using that argument must imagine Antarctica as _huge_, though we can easily measure the coastline and prove their explanation impossible.
- Nursie 10y agoAh but if you go there, you are obviously part of conspiracy and not to be trusted! It's all delightfully solipsistic...
- hyperpape 10y agoI'm not going to try, this example seemed easy, but I don't know if I have the knack for it in general. But my perspective on this is shaped by having read the Talk Origins FAQ extensively in high school. I don't know what I'd think now, but back then I was in awe of the creativity that young Earth creationists had in muddying the waters regarding the actual scientific evidence: http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/ http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/
- lutusp 10y ago> It's funny how multiple people mentioned topology. But the simple response is that you just went in a loop on a plane, because you don't know how to navigate properly. Yes, plausible explanation, which partly explains how beliefs like this can persist. Ironically, an increase in mathematical and geometric sophistication can produce more convincing alternative models -- for those who want to defend the alternatives.