Flat Earth Absurdity aims to be a comprehensive resource for exploring astronomy, cosmology, and the basic physics needed to understand and debunk flat earth claims. Our goal is to provide clear explanations, encourage critical thinking and offer tools to help you evaluate evidence for yourself.
People have recognized the Earth is spherical for thousands of years. Observers in ancient Greece and Egypt deduced the Earth’s curvature by examining the paths of stars across the sky among other observations. Mariners later confirmed this with circumnavigation showing that travelers could cross an ocean and return home from the opposite direction (www.nasa.gov). The 15th-17th centuries saw explosive growth in oceanic exploration. Despite knowing the Earth was round (from preserved Greek texts), navigational constraints favored flat models until the mid-18th century, as spherical calculations were too complex. With the development of new mathematical tools for performing calculations (involving spherical trigonometry) Maritime navigation's models shifted from simple plane-based methods to spherical models driven by the need for accuracy. Since then every long distance navigation system on earth has relied on the spherical model.
Science is more than a collection of facts; it is a method of inquiry. The scientific method involves asking questions, doing background research, forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments and observations, analyzing results and communicating findings. A hypothesis is an educated guess that offers a tentative explanation for an observable phenomenon; scientists test hypotheses through experiments (www.masterclass.com). When a hypothesis is repeatedly tested and supported by data it can develop into a theory – a widely accepted, substantiated explanation for a natural phenomenon (www.masterclass.com). The difference between a hypothesis and a theory is crucial: theories such as the Big Bang, heliocentrism, general relativity and evolution have earned their status because they are backed by extensive evidence and predictive power (www.masterclass.com).
Ideas bloom in the fertile ground of inquiry, but they must withstand rigorous scrutiny to flourish. Throughout this wiki we illustrate how hypotheses evolve into theories by summarizing the experiments, observations and mathematical models that allow scientific ideas to earn their place as accepted truths.
In our quest for knowledge, we confront misconceptions and myths that have taken root in the public consciousness. Flat earth claims typically ignore the overwhelming observational evidence for a spherical planet. For example, photos from space clearly show the Earth as a globe; time zones, the changing angle of the Sun at different latitudes, and the way ships disappear hull‑first over the horizon all require a round Earth to make sense. Evidence from space geodesy—the science of measuring Earth’s shape and gravitational field—depends on Earth being a sphere to determine positions and navigate accurately (www.nasa.gov).
We encourage respectful dialogue and critical inquiry. Explore our forums, engage with absurdity counters that offer rebuttals to pseudoscientific arguments, and enjoy a bit of levity in the Flat Meme Extravaganza. Building a community resilient against misinformation requires curiosity, open mindedness, and a willingness to revisit our beliefs in light of evidence.