What is the ‘Flat Earth’ conspiracy theory?
IT may sound utterly crazy, but there is still a number of people around the world who believe the Earth is as flat as a pancake.
'Flat Earthers' have even gone as far as to accuse NASA of being a fake space agency.
What is the 'Flat Earth' conspiracy theory?
The flat Earth theory is an archaic conception that the Earth is shaped as a plane or a disk.
The idea was first seen in ancient cultures including the Romans until the classical period.
The theory is generally accepted as being disproved by Aristotle in 330BC, but the idea of the Earth being round was suggested by Pythagoras in the 6th century.
However, the flat Earth theory still holds weight today within some sects of society such as the Flat Earth Society.
Modern Flat Earth theories believe the Earth is a disc or a pentagon that is surrounded by mountains or a wall of ice.
They believe that the Earth being round is a lie put out by the government - making it a conspiracy theory.
Some of the theories suggest that the Earth doesn't orbit the sun but is instead fixed in space, while others claim it has a downward orbit.
Many flat Earth theories rely on literal interpretations of biblical literature which provide the basis for the beliefs.
The conspiracy theory has risen to prominence recently as social media has provided a platform for unfounded theories to be shared and discussed.
Who started the 'Flat Earth' conspiracy theory?
Flat Earthers are the people who believe that the Earth is flat.
Their beliefs appear to stem from the work of the scientist, Samuel Rowbotham, who published a volume of work containing experiments to prove the world was flat.
The conspiracy theory subscribers had their first-ever convention in Birmingham, UK, on May 1, 2018, which was attended by 200 people.
They call people who believe the Earth is round "globers", "ballers" or "muggles" and claim society has been conned into thinking the Earth was round.
Flat Earthers don't all share the exact same beliefs, but there is a consensus that the globe has been duped by NASA.
Famous faces who share the movement's belief include US basketball player Kyrie Irving and US rapper B.o.B. - who even fundraised to prove the world is flat.
They held their first international conference in Mall’s Fantasyland Hotel, in West Edmonton, Canada, in August 2018.
The idea has also gained momentum after the hit Netflix documentary, Behind The Curve, released in 2018.
Why do some people think the Earth is flat?
Some people believe the world is flat because they cannot see a curve in photos or when traveling.
Others claim images showing the world as a sphere are generated on a computer and not actually taken from space.
A general consensus by Flat Earthers is that the idea of the world as round is a way for NASA to dupe society along with the government to keep control.
However, the main reason appears to be that the concept of the world being flat comes from a literal interpretation of biblical literature.
People who adhere to this vein of the conspiracy believe society is being tricked into thinking the world is round as part of the lead-up to the apocalypse.