President’s Column #13: Flat Earthers and the rise of conspiracy theories

I had thought that, in current times, no one would doubt that the Earth is a sphere. However, I was surprised to realize that this is not always the case. Although I have never encountered them personally, I have recently heard that there is a group of people, known as Flat Earthers, who profess that the Earth is flat. Some of these Flat Earthers seem to be intelligent enough and well-versed in science, yet they claim the anti-scientific idea that the earth is flat. They insist that the Earth being a sphere is a conspiracy theory deliberately spread by certain organizations and people.

The spherical Earth theory, which holds that the Earth is round, and the flat Earth theory, which holds that the Earth is flat, have been the subjects of controversy since ancient times. When you think of it, it is amazing that people in ancient times thought of the Earth as a sphere, contrary to the intuitive feeling that the Earth is flat. I must admit that, in my daily life, I do not really realize that the earth is round. In a way, I can live in peace when I think that the earth is flat: at least, we do not have to worry that people on the other side of the earth will fall into outer space.

However, we know that the Earth is round, and there is overwhelming evidence to support it. Since childhood, we have been taught that the Earth is round; even a layperson can quickly raise two or three pieces of evidence attesting to that fact. Without any doubt, the Earth is round.

I do not believe anyone in power in the world today believes that the Earth is flat. If any head of state were to conduct a geopolitical strategy based on that belief, then such an unfortunate country is bound to disappear following a great deal of turmoil.

But there is something that is making me anxious. There are signs that these Flat Earthers are rubbing shoulders with people in power. To date, Flat Earthers have gained significant support out of sight. Similar groups have provoked movements against, for example, global warming and the effectiveness of vaccines, dismissing them as conspiracy theories. Their anti-science activities have spread through social media, and they have created rather strong solidarity since they are in the minority.

They argue that the theory of global warming is based on biased data and is not legitimate, claiming it is just an excuse for governments and renewable energy companies to profit. Similarly, they claim that vaccines are also the result of massive information manipulation, resulting in convenient control and monopolies by governments and certain companies. Furthermore, such claims extend to historical facts, threatening our well-established understanding of history.

What is worrying is that those who deny global warming and the clear benefits of vaccines are becoming a force around the world. Such threats can be seen in every country of the world.

Handpicking scientific data for the benefit of those in power or a particular group, and drawing only conclusions that serve their interests, is a hallmark of how conspiracy theories are constructed and exploited. From the standpoint of science, Flat Earthers’ claims and similar movements are clear examples of conspiracy theories.

Until a few years ago, it had never occurred to me that we would have to seriously contend with conspiracy theories about global warming and ideologies that deny the historical facts. But, alas, we live in a time when we must no longer let our guard down.

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