31st Annual Student Research Conference
Pseudoscience: Flat Earth Theory
Kyle R. Masek
Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Faculty Mentor
In this paper, we will be discussing and debunking many of the reasons why one may believe that the Earth is flat. This belief, which forms the basis of "Flat Earth Theory," doesn't stem from being "smart" or "dumb" - rather it stems from a combination of paranoia and ignorance regarding general science and basic physics, specifically ignorance regarding uncertainty, the meaning of "theory" in a scientific context, optics, and the Newton's law of universal gravitation. There are a few experiments that are referenced by believers in the theory as evidence for a Flat Earth. We critically examine the Bedford Level Experiment performed by Samuel Birley Rowbotham in 1838, who went on to write the effective bible for Flat Earthers: Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe.
Keywords: pseudoscience, Flat Earth, conspiracy theory
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 206-4
Location: MG 2050
Time: 10:15