Chapter 1: A Naïve Vision of the Future

When I was younger, I held a hopeful vision of a technologically advanced future for humanity. While it's true that innovations like electric vehicles are becoming mainstream, other aspects of society seem to be deteriorating. This decline can be attributed to the growing wealth gap and the collapse of various institutions.

Until recently, I maintained a sense of optimism about our species. However, my awakening to the unsettling reality of flat Earth beliefs was unavoidable. I distinctly remember my first encounter with someone I knew who questioned the Earth's shape. Before that moment, I assumed such views were confined to fringe online groups, but this interaction was a rude awakening.

The truth is, flat Earth proponents exist worldwide, but this misguided ideology has particularly thrived in the United States. A Forbes article from 2018 revealed that only 66% of millennials have consistently believed in a spherical Earth. Imagine that one in three people you know might actually subscribe to the notion that the Earth is flat. Take a moment to reflect on that—you could be socializing or working alongside these individuals, as I did with my friend for years before discovering their flat Earth views.

Chapter 2: The Roots of Flerfdom

Why is the flat Earth belief so prevalent in the U.S.? Several factors contribute, but a significant one is the influence of Christian Evangelicals. While not all flat Earthers identify as Christians, this group has a remarkable ability to disregard facts, logic, and reason in favor of faith in unfounded ideas.

They often interpret biblical passages to support the notion that we inhabit a massive snow globe, which they commonly picture as being shaped like a frisbee. According to their beliefs, this frisbee is surrounded by an "ice wall," known as Antarctica in our reality, while the sun and moon are described as small and local, hovering just above us. They also contend that we exist under a glass-like dome called the firmament, with stars merely serving as decorations. Falling stars, in their worldview, are simply stars plummeting through this dome, as they reject the existence of meteorites or asteroids.

Chapter 3: Confronting Reality

Be cautious, as flat Earthers often present horizon images to argue against a visible curve, while also claiming that the moon landing was fabricated and that any space images are merely "CGI." This includes historical photographs from early space missions, which they somehow dismiss as advanced CGI from decades past.

When faced with undeniable evidence, such as the visibility of different constellations in the southern and northern hemispheres or the inability to accurately predict eclipses with a flat Earth model, their usual response is to shut down the discussion or divert attention.

Chapter 4: The Center of the Universe

Even more bizarre is that many flat Earthers reject the very concept of outer space. Some envision an oversized Earth where we are at the center of the universe, with the sun and moon swirling above us in a nonsensical pattern. This raises the question: how could the sun illuminate everything simultaneously?

Didn’t ancient Greeks already resolve these concepts centuries ago? Must we really revisit and redefine established truths?

Some flat Earthers believe the sun resides below the clouds but struggle to explain the absence of photographs taken from above the clouds, as most commercial flights operate at altitudes surpassing cloud cover. Many of them likely have never boarded a plane or ventured beyond their hometown.

Additionally, they seem to trust government narratives and international cooperation more than I do, despite their claims of skepticism. How could all nations with space programs maintain such a deception?

While these beliefs might seem humorous, they reflect a deeper societal issue. These individuals have been led to reject reality in favor of absurd beliefs. How is this possible?

The U.S. has a long-standing relationship with diverse forms of Evangelical Christianity, which remains untaxed and often flouts restrictions against political endorsements. This dual advantage means they contribute no tax revenue to public services like schools, and they frequently encourage their followers to homeschool, all while pushing for cuts to public education funding.

As a result, generations are raised in these quasi-cult-like environments, lacking any exposure to objective reality, while non-religious individuals attend severely underfunded schools. Many of those who fall for these misleading narratives are subsequently drawn online. Anyone familiar with cult dynamics knows that deprogramming members can be a daunting task and is not always successful.

These individuals have the power to vote and typically participate in elections at high rates. They've also been known to secure political office, as evidenced by figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and other QAnon affiliates emerging in recent years. If significant changes do not occur, the United States risks evolving into a theocracy led by these misguided beliefs.

As Voltaire wisely stated, “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”