Conspiracy theories often exhibit recurring patterns in their arguments. These patterns usually include one or more of the following characteristics:

1. Selective Interpretation: Conspiracy theorists tend to interpret information in a way that confirms their beliefs, disregarding evidence that contradicts them.  They will usually start their presentation arguing about facts that everyone agrees on and that has established evidence, so that they can establish a grain of credability before proceeding with the next type of arguments below.
2. Cherry-Picking Evidence: They may selectively choose evidence that supports their theory while ignoring or dismissing contradictory evidence.  Usually, the context of the evidence will support the contrary if they ever provide citations.  In other words, it'll be a sentence buried within something that is totally in a different context that supports "Globe Earth" for example.
3. Use of Logical Fallacies and crying: Conspiracy theories often rely on logical fallacies such as ad hominem attacks or appeals to emotion to make their arguments seem more persuasive.
4. Unfalsifiability: Many conspiracy theories are constructed in a way that makes them difficult to disprove, often relying on unfalsifiable claims or shifting the burden of proof.
5. Complexity and Inconsistency: Some conspiracy theories involve complex explanations with multiple interconnected elements, which can sometimes be internally inconsistent or contradictory.
6. Distrust of Authority: Conspiracy theorists often distrust mainstream sources of information and may reject evidence from these sources in favor of alternative unreliable sources.
7. Persecution Complex: They may adopt a sense of persecution, believing that their ideas are being suppressed by powerful entities. (see also #3)
8. Appeal to Hidden Knowledge: Conspiracy theories often appeal to the idea of hidden or secret knowledge, creating a sense of exclusivity among believers.
9. Unreal expectation of perfection.  If it isn't perfect flat earters think it can't be true even though the evidence comports to reality.

Recognizing these patterns can help individuals critically evaluate conspiracy theories and approach them with skepticism.

Source/Inspiration: Dr. Lee McIntyre.  Check out his book: amzn.to/3UvnDSf

A lot of flat earthers claim that the 2012 Blue Marble had been faked when in reality it was "of data obtained by the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument on board the Suomi NPP satellite on January 4, 2012. The data was obtained from six orbits of the Earth by the Suomi NPP over an eight-hour period" per the following article.

The fact is, it is composed (composite) of elements from our true earth and flat earth has yet to produce one good composite image of their pancake land.

So, the rotational velocity at the equator is ~1000mph.  Hard to beleive?  I guess so but if you consider the circumference of the earth has been measured at 24901 miles, and a day is 24 hours, it sure adds up.  It actually spins at 15 degrees per hour and if you multiply 15*24 you get 360 which describes a full rotation.  If you consider 1 degree is 69 miles and you multiply 69*360 you arrive at approximately the stated circumference.

Also, rotation is usually measured in RPM/RPH but since flat earthers make this a big deal, we'll work in MPH today.  Now you can tell a flerf how slow we are!

We are actually one of the slower rotating planets.  Here's a list of planets in our solar system along with their circumferential and rotational velocities at the equator in miles per hour (mph) and their classification. Please note that the rotational velocity can vary slightly depending on latitude.

Mercury
Circumferential Velocity: ~6,750 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~7 mph
Class: Terrestrial Planet
Venus
Circumferential Velocity: ~29,000 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~4 mph (retrograde)
Class: Terrestrial Planet
Earth
Circumferential Velocity: ~1,040 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~1,040 mph
Class: Terrestrial Planet
Mars
Circumferential Velocity: ~8700 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~866 mph
Class: Terrestrial Planet
Jupiter
Circumferential Velocity: ~29,200 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~28,000 mph
Class: Gas Giant
Saturn
Circumferential Velocity: ~21,700 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~21,500 mph
Class: Gas Giant
Uranus
Circumferential Velocity: ~9,600 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~9,000 mph
Class: Ice Giant
Neptune
Circumferential Velocity: ~9,600 mph
Rotational Velocity: ~9,000 mph
Class: Ice Giant

Sunrise and sunset.
Sun never changes size.
The sun sets bottom to top.(-- When driving towards a mountain you see the top first)
Shadows going under clouds at sunset.
Twilight (Its mere existence isn’t possible on flat earth)
The first attempt at measuring the speed of light.(The difference in IO obscuring
Can read a book 10 minutes before senset then cant see book.  Sun doesn't just go far away in 10 minutes.  It sets behind the curve. *
 
Moon never changes size.
Eclipses.
Same face of moon for everyone on earth on any particular day/night.
Same phase of the moon for everyone no matter where you are on the planet.
Tides on oceans and the great lakes.
 
Stars
Reciprocal Zenith Angles.
Northern star rotation is opposite to southern star rotation.
Retrograde planet movements.
Cant see Polaris from south pole, cant see Sigma Octantis from north pole.
Tall structures further apart at top than bottom, yet both are perpendicular to ground.
3 (or more) pointed Eratosthenes experiments (done by Riz and confirmed a globe.)
Southern hemisphere sun arc.
Gyroscopes experience a 15 degree per hour procession
 
 Other
Pressure gradient in the atmosphere.
Ships disappear from the bottom to top when they go over the horizon. (Same as the way a sunsets)
Seasons.
The prediction of Neptune, which is a result of our understanding of gravity.
Flight times and plane routes (ie – New Zealand to Johannesburg. Are trackable in real time on the web.)
Compasses don't work on a flat model. If you traverse the equator in a straight line, your compass needle will change)
​
​This list was compiled by a trusted Globe Debate Proponent @round.hound.  I have validated each claim.

If you would like to propose an article please email mike@mikesplained.com

​Flat earth conspiracy theorists believe that the earth is flat rather than spherical or oblate spheroidal as scientific evidence suggests. They argue that the concept of a round earth is a hoax perpetuated by a global conspiracy of scientists, governments, and other powerful organizations to maintain control over the population.


​Here are some key points to know about the flat earth conspiracy theory:

1. It is not supported by scientific evidence: There is ample evidence that the earth is round, including photographs from space, observations of celestial bodies, and measurements of the curvature of the earth's surface. The flat earth theory contradicts all of this evidence.
2. It is a fringe belief: While there are some vocal advocates of the flat earth theory, it is not a widely held belief. Surveys have consistently shown that the overwhelming majority of people believe that the earth is round.
3. It is often linked to other conspiracy theories: Many flat earth conspiracy theorists also believe in other unfounded theories, such as that the moon landing was faked, that vaccines are dangerous, or that climate change is a hoax.
4. It can have real-world consequences: While the flat earth theory may seem harmless, it can have real-world consequences. For example, some flat earth believers refuse to accept scientific evidence or follow safety guidelines related to things like climate change or the COVID-19 pandemic, which can put themselves and others at risk.

Overall, while it's important to understand and engage with people who hold different beliefs, it's also crucial to be aware of the scientific evidence and facts that underpin our understanding of the world.

The sun is the closest star to Earth and the source of life-giving energy for our planet. Despite centuries of scientific study and observation, some individuals and groups still cling to the notion that the Earth is flat and that the sun orbits around a stationary Earth. Flat Earthers often make claims about the nature of the sun that are not supported by scientific evidence. Here are ten bullet points that provide a summary of what we know about the sun based on scientific research:

• The sun is a star that is located at the center of the solar system and has a diameter of approximately 1.39 million kilometers (865,000 miles).
• The distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 93 million miles (149.6 million kilometers). This is known as an astronomical unit (AU), which is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.
  
  
• In terms of light minutes, it takes about 8.3 minutes for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth. This means that when we observe the Sun from Earth, we are seeing it as it appeared 8.3 minutes ago, due to the time it takes for the light to reach us.
  
• The distance between the Earth and the Sun can vary slightly depending on the position of the Earth in its orbit. The closest approach between the Earth and the Sun, known as perihelion, occurs around January 3 each year and is approximately 91.4 million miles (147.1 million kilometers). The farthest distance between the Earth and the Sun, known as aphelion, occurs around July 4 each year and is approximately 94.5 million miles (152.1 million kilometers).
  
• The sun is composed of hot, ionized gas known as plasma and has a surface temperature of approximately 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit).
• The sun generates energy through the process of nuclear fusion, which converts hydrogen into helium and releases vast amounts of energy in the form of light and heat.
• The sun's magnetic field is responsible for the formation of sunspots, which are dark areas on the sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding plasma.
• The sun's activity follows a regular cycle of approximately 11 years, during which the number and intensity of sunspots and solar flares vary.
• Solar flares are explosions on the sun's surface that release enormous amounts of energy and can disrupt communications and electrical systems on Earth.
• The sun emits a constant stream of charged particles known as the solar wind, which can interact with the Earth's magnetic field and cause auroras in the polar regions.
• The sun's gravitational influence is responsible for the orbits of the planets in the solar system, including Earth, and affects the behavior of comets and other celestial bodies.
• The sun's energy is essential for life on Earth, as it drives the processes of photosynthesis in plants and provides warmth and light for all living organisms.
• The study of the sun and its behavior is a crucial area of research in astronomy and solar physics, with important implications for space weather forecasting, climate modeling, and space exploration.

​Overall, the scientific research on the sun provides a wealth of evidence about its nature and behavior, and strongly supports the conclusion that the sun is a star that follows the laws of physics and orbits around the center of the solar system, rather than a flat disc that revolves around a stationary Earth.

The moon landing was a historic event that has captured the imagination of people around the world for decades. However, some individuals and groups have raised doubts and conspiracy theories about the authenticity of the moon landing. Despite these claims, there is overwhelming evidence that the moon landing was real and a major achievement of human exploration and technology. Here are ten bullet points that provide evidence for the authenticity of the moon landing:

• Astronauts left equipment on the lunar surface that has been photographed by subsequent lunar missions and Earth-based telescopes, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which captured high-resolution images of the landing sites.
• Moon rocks and soil samples collected by the astronauts during the Apollo missions have been extensively studied and analyzed by scientists, revealing unique characteristics that are consistent with their origin from the moon's surface.
• The Apollo missions were observed by numerous independent organizations, including tracking stations and radio telescopes from countries around the world, which received and confirmed transmissions from the Apollo spacecraft.
• The United States government and NASA have released thousands of documents, photographs, and videos related to the Apollo missions, including mission logs, technical reports, and personal accounts from astronauts and mission personnel.
• Multiple Apollo missions successfully landed on the moon and returned to Earth, including six manned missions and several unmanned missions that conducted scientific experiments and surveyed the moon's surface.
• The lunar surface features distinctive characteristics that are consistent with the moon landing, such as the footprints and rover tracks left by the astronauts, as well as the blast craters and other disturbances caused by the descent stages of the lunar modules.
• The Apollo missions were a major international event that involved thousands of people, including astronauts, engineers, scientists, and support staff. It is highly unlikely that such a massive conspiracy could have been kept secret for decades without any credible evidence or leaks.
• The technology and equipment used in the Apollo missions have been extensively studied and documented, and are consistent with the technological capabilities of the time. The complexity and precision of the spacecraft, lander, and life support systems would have been impossible to fake with the technology available in the 1960s and 1970s.
• The Apollo astronauts underwent extensive training and preparation for their missions, including rigorous physical and mental testing, simulations, and exercises. Their experiences and accounts of the missions are consistent with the challenges and conditions of space travel and lunar exploration.
• The Apollo missions were part of a broader space exploration program that involved numerous scientific experiments and discoveries, as well as technological advancements that have had lasting impacts on society and industry.

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that exists between any two objects with mass or energy. It is the force that attracts objects towards each other, and it is responsible for many phenomena that we observe in everyday life, such as the falling of objects and the motion of celestial bodies.
The strength of the gravitational force between two objects depends on their masses and the distance between them. The greater the masses of the objects, the stronger the gravitational force, and the farther apart the objects are, the weaker the force.
The measure of gravity is typically expressed in terms of acceleration due to gravity, which is denoted by the symbol "g." Acceleration due to gravity is the rate at which an object falls under the influence of gravity, and it is dependent on the mass of the object and the strength of the gravitational field.
On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s^2), which means that an object in freefall near the surface of the Earth will accelerate at a rate of 9.8 m/s^2 towards the Earth. However, the value of g can vary slightly depending on factors such as location and altitude.
The measure of gravity is important in many fields of science, such as physics, astronomy, and geology. It is used to calculate the trajectories of objects in motion, to determine the mass and composition of celestial bodies, and to study the structure and composition of the Earth's interior.
Overall, the measure of gravity is a crucial concept in our understanding of the universe, and it plays a fundamental role in many aspects of our daily lives.

The formula 8 inches per mile squared is often cited by flat Earth proponents as a way to calculate the supposed drop in height that should occur over a given distance on a spherical Earth. However, this formula is flawed and not a great measure squared for several reasons:

1. It assumes that the Earth is a perfect sphere with a uniform radius. In reality, the Earth is not a perfect sphere, but rather an oblate spheroid with variations in elevation and curvature.
2. The formula does not account for factors such as atmospheric refraction, which can cause the apparent position of objects to be higher than their actual position.
3. The formula does not take into account the effects of gravity, which causes objects to be attracted towards the center of the Earth and can cause the surface to deviate from a straight line.
4. The formula assumes a constant rate of change in height, which is not accurate over long distances due to variations in elevation and curvature.

Overall, the formula 8 inches per mile squared is a flawed and oversimplified calculation that does not accurately reflect the shape and curvature of the Earth. More accurate and precise measurements have been made using advanced technologies such as satellite imagery, which provide a wealth of evidence for the spherical shape of the Earth.