> Today adults crusade against these absurdities without the slightest inkling of self-irony. > Perhaps other posters can point to the underlying causes. It's

> Today adults crusade against these absurdities without the slightest inkling of self-irony. > Perhaps other posters can point to the underlying causes. It's because a lot of the flat-earthers out there on the internet actually believe it. It's no longer an amusing discourse, fun little game or intellectual pursuit for the high-minded playful contrarian, it has transitioned to an actual conspiracy theory with actual adherents. > Flat-earth is typically used as a pejorative at HN. As it should be, given the above. It has become part of the wider conspiracy-sphere alongside chemtrails, 9/11 'truth' and all the other crap. It's no longer a sign of high intelligence or curiosity when someone brings it up, if it ever was. Compare "BirdsArentReal", though honestly I expect that eventually to go the same way.