Put Flat Earth to Bed with One Simple, Non-Scientific Question that Any Layman can Understand.
I was speaking to my brother-in-law last week. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Do you know that some people believe the earth is flat?
Him: Like a pancake?
Me: Yes.
Him: You’ve just got to look at ships sailing over the horizon.
Me: I know.
Him: Are you serious?
Me: Yes.
Him: They are stupid.
Me: I thought lots of people had heard about it.
Him: I haven’t.
If you’re like my brother-in-law and haven’t heard about flat earth (FE) before don’t worry. You have not entered into the twilight zone of Steemit and reading this article will not kill brain cells.
My brother-in-law said that flat earthers are stupid. This is a common response but not one that I would use. But, flat earthers should know that they are making fools of themselves (most inadvertently so). They are chasing a red herring. The phrase ‘red herring means’ ‘to divert’ or ‘distract’. Circa 1680’s fugitives on the run would smear the trail with a red herring hoping to put bloodhounds off the scent.
I don’t like to see people making fools of themselves and I apologize if using the term ‘stupid; or ‘fool’ offends you - that is not my intention. I just want to be honest with you and tell you know what most people think when you tell them that the earth is flat.
You probably already know that this. You’ve probably been called much worse. You probably don’t care because you believe that you are right. I’m hoping to clear some things up for you today. Unfortunately you are not alone.
Scientists and people from all walks of life are wasting time by researching, discussing and proving a spherical earth to you. Hopefully we can put an end to this once and for all.
A Flat Earth Map
This is one of many flat earth maps and it seems to be the most popular.
I have made the map large so that it is easy for you to see. Now, pretend that you are looking at a clock. Start at the center and draw an imaginary line towards the perimeter. The imaginary line will dissect these countries.
* 2 o’clock - Australia
* 3 o’clock - Russia (green), China yellow green), India (orange)
* 4 o’clock - Ukraine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia (all yellow green)
* 5 o’clock - Europe, Libya (orange), South Africa (yellow green)
* 6 o’clock - UK (green), France (pink) Mauritania (pink)
* 8 o’clock - Brazil (yellow green), Argentina (green), Chile (yellow green)
* 9 o’clock - Canada (orange), USA (green), Caribbean
* 11 o’clock - Alaska (green)
The white area surrounding the map is Antartica. It is an impenetrable ice-wall, apparently.
This is how most flat earthers view the world. Now that we’ve got that out of the way lets move on to the question.
The Question
Q: How are commercial airplanes able to fly Non-Stop between Sydney to Santiago in 14 hours on a flat earth?
A: They can’t. It’s impossible on ALL flat earth maps.
Southern Hemisphere Flights
Ask a flat earther to explain non-stop flights between Southern Hemisphere continents i.e. non-stop flights between Australia, Africa and South America.
These non-stop flights are impossible on every flat earth map that I’ve seen.
Let’s take a quick look at some of these flight paths on a spherical earth. Pay attention to the flight path, distance and flight times.
All flights have been calculated at speeds of 500 mph (804 kmh). 30 minutes has been added for take-off and landing.
Sydney > Santiago
I have a friend that flies Sydney to Santiago every few years. He spent 3 months there last year. I messaged him while he was away and casually asked about his flight.
I have another friend that has taken the same non-stop flight.
Perth > Johannesburg
Santiago > Johannesburg
Los Angeles > Hong Kong
The map below shows the flight path, distance and time from Los Angeles to Hong Kong on a spherical earth. The distance and time is almost exactly the same as Sydney to Santiago, as you would expect.
This Flat Earth map below shows the flight path for Sydney to Santiago (the long line), and Los Angeles to Hong Kong (the short line). The Sydney flight is more than the double the distance.
If the earth was flat the flight times would be very different, but they aren’t - and the world is not flat.
Next time you encounter a flat earther I would encourage to ask them to explain Southern Hemisphere flights on their map. If they are rational they will say that these flights are not possible. If they are irrational they will attempt to divert you to another topic or say they are working on it. If they start saying that the planes don’t really fly, or talk of secret supersonic planes and jet streams, tell them they’re dreaming.
Don’t get sucked in and waste time on flat earth.
Flat earthers don’t trust NASA and either do I. In fact, I don’t expect any government agency to tell me the truth - but that does not mean that the earth is a pancake. I also know that it doesn’t feel like the earth is spinning and my hair isn’t blowing as I’d expect - but again, that does not mean that the earth is a pancake.
This is where I hope all flat-earthers are honest and admit that they can’t answer this very simple question. I’d like flat-earthers to acknowledge that this question blows the theory out of the water.
I hope that they, and all of us will start focusing on far more important issues than this. Like working together and removing ourselves from the paradigm that we currently find ourselves in!
Red herrings like flat earth cause division and diversion. We split into our respective camps and do our best to win, we are all guilty of it at times. Far too often the conversation turns vitriolic and damage is done. While we are busy pouring out our knowledge, anger and frustration on someone else or an issue, our focus and energy is diverted away from far important things. Like spending time with loved or helping people that need a hand.
Let’s create a better world, a decentralized world, free of tyranny, where we act voluntarily and live with joy and abundance. If you can help me do that I’d really appreciate it. And if you secretly want to keep believing that the earth is flat I’ll be fine with that to.
N.B: No research was required for this post. I’d looked into this years ago. I do not intend to spend more time on FE. I wanted to put this information on the blockchain. Hopefully it will clear up some confusion and give Steemians a simple method to follow when confronting a flat earther.
Thank you for reading.
Till next time!
Yours in Peace, Love & Truth
@SteemTruth
P.S. I’m aware that there are many ways to prove a spherical earth. This is possibly the simplest method, and hopefully the most effective. If you have a better, simpler method please let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Many christians have also been tricked into believing the earth is flat. The bible says the earth hangs on nothing.
He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. (Job 26:7)