"Is the Earth really a globe?"
This 2018 documentary film presents us with the world of conspiracy theory. Namely, the conspiracy that the Earth is flat. What we discover about this flat world is that it has more dimensions to it than what first meets the eye.
*Trailer available on YouTube
While it's easy to shrug off, we are seeing more claims like this in different forms which are concerning. Superstitious thinking isn't harmless and has real world consequences.
The problem with combating these types of things, is that they get emboldened when ridiculed. It's easy to condemn and come off condescending in the process. Have you ever been persuaded by being ridiculed?
It can be tough to be cordial and understanding when talking about something like vaccines. When I first heard of anti-vaccine groups, it drove me crazy. Crazy enough to start this blog and thus my whole campaign of consumer protection advocacy.
At the end of the day, flat earth isn't about science or a search for the truth. It's about human psychology and the pitfalls in our thinking when we aren't taught how to reason. Our brains, like the internet, are powerful tools of information. But, if we aren't taught how to use them, we could end up with more misinformation than what is tried and true.
There is a subtle difference between being skeptical and being cynical. Carl Sagan once said,
"Science is more than a body of knowledge. Is a way of thinking; a way of skeptically interrogating the universe. If we are not able to ask skeptical questions, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we’re up for grabs."
Mere doubt isn't good enough. Asking questions isn't good enough. We must demand evidence. Critical-thinking is being able to challenge one's own beliefs and positions.
The entire film, I kept thinking about the ancient Greek philosopher, Eratosthenes. He managed to calculate the size of the Earth with amazing accuracy by measuring the angles of shadows at different cities. In the final scene of Behind the Curve, it shows a flat-Earther named Jeran Campanella performing a simple, clever laser experiment to confirm the Earth is flat.
Overall, the movie does a great job of presenting the subject and its followers. It includes all the different contributing elements and their complexity. In the end, it makes a convincing case. If you came into the subject on the fence, this should take you over the horizon.
*Behind the Curve is now available to stream on Netflix.
