My last posting here was about finding a host of Flat Earth believers and their website. There are two sites in fact, with nearly identical domain names. They both come from the same set of core believers, but split over the details of the theory. Well theory is a misnomer; it is in truth a hypothesis. Okay it is a fantasy.
I’ll say this in their favor, if you go to their sites, and start asking questions, you will find yourself learning more math, science, and even history, than you would think you need. In my case I think it will make me a better writer of Science Fiction.
I have learned more complicated math in the last month than I have since I graduated high school, and that must be a good thing.
Learning is always good, and I value what the sites have forced me to research further. Not that what I learned was helpful in proving basic science. So much of Flat Earth relies on “Because you’re wrong about all your science and math.”
Asking for where the science and math is wrong, is, well tail chasing at best.
But it is entertaining. I have come to the opinion that Flat Earth is for the most part, poorly written fantasy. None of the FAQ and Wiki sections makes any sense, and is as likely the answer to the next question will in some way, if not completely, be at odds with the previous answer.
One example is the Flat Earther’s universal fundamental point that NASA, along with all Space Programs, national and private, are liars. Then post mileage from Google Earth in an attempt to prove that at the mileage stated makes it impossible from point A to see the city skyline at point B on a round earth. You have admire the balls it takes for some one to use mileage from a site they firmly believe and have stated in no non-sense terms, is all based on lies.
The modern founder of Flat Earth even posted that a Geodetic Surveyor showing how surveying is done, and why it proves the Earth is a sphere, responded with; “If he wanted to attack the authority on Flat Earth Theory, he would. I doubt anyone here really cares if he attacks some random poorly informed Youtube video author from that other society.”
He seems to believe the math presented doesn’t apply to him and his belief, only the unnamed other believer.
Out of all this, a story has been given birth, though making it work and abide the laws of math and science that we all know has been verified, has proved daunting to say the least. And I am sure someone, somewhere, is going to read it and say, “Wait a minute, how…?” I hope not, but I know better.
The story is going to take a lot of time and research to write, and do it well.
I guess the point I am making here is, don’t out of hand dismiss a source because you, science, math, and society in general think the people putting out the information are Rabid Bat Shit Crazy.
One more point. Most of those on the two sites are there to push buttons and start fights in one form or another. I suspect the true believers are a tiny percentage of the total posters, of both sites. However, the Trolls as well as the True Believers are the fun to “debate,” as long as you keep in mind they are there to cause as many problems for you as possible. The true lesson in all of It, is the insight other peoples points of view and how their minds work, or more often, not work.
You never know where a story idea will come from, nor what you will learn in the process.