And yeah, I do know scientists!heather_macleodJune 12 2009, 02:16:58 UTC
Pythagoras, Herodotus, and Plato all believed the earth was round, and Pythagoras used his big geometry brains to actually calculate it. There are mathematical proofs, and you could actually calculate the curvature yourself, if you were so inclined. But if you just want first-hand round earth experience, drive through Kansas. It's so flat you can actually see the curve of the earth. That sounds like a contradiction, but I think you know what I mean?
Ideally, one *shouldn't* just take a textbook (or scientific journal, for that matter) as Truth. The "But science is a faith" argument always bothers me (as an atheist & fan of empirical observation) because it isn't supposed to be taken as The Ultimate Truth - science is all about questioning and evolution of ideas, which faith is not.
Re: And yeah, I do know scientists!sabishii_kiJune 12 2009, 03:41:15 UTC
Well yes. I'm just saying... I sort of want to replicate those mathematical exercises that calculate the curvature of the Earth...I am somewhat inclined...
(I hear that Kansas is technically flatter than a pancake; I wonder how they tested that)
Mostly though, it's just a fun thought experiment to consider if there were any way the world could be not-round yet we all still believe it is. There are a lot of people who take science on faith, though, and that bugs me. Unfortunately, it's fairly hard to really... test a lot of the things we're told is true.
Re: And yeah, I do know scientists!zelmeowsoftenJune 12 2009, 04:52:10 UTC
What's really, really sad is that there is an entire organization of people dedicated to getting the flat-world theory taught in schools. They have some crazy-complex and hilariously ludicrous explanations for what they call a "round-world conspiracy," and the real, flat-world truth of the matter, all of which they have written about in great detail and archived on their website. Can't remember the URL, or the organization name, but it should be an easy find if you want some free headdesks.
Back when the round Earth was a new idea, one of the famous "proofs" (can't remember from whom to who) was to observe ships coming into harbor...when you first see them out in the ocean, waaaaaay far away, with a telescope, you can see the tops of the masts first. Only as they grow closer can you see lower and lower until the whole boat is visible...because they are coming around a curve.
Comments 8
Reply
Reply
But if you just want first-hand round earth experience, drive through Kansas. It's so flat you can actually see the curve of the earth. That sounds like a contradiction, but I think you know what I mean?
Ideally, one *shouldn't* just take a textbook (or scientific journal, for that matter) as Truth. The "But science is a faith" argument always bothers me (as an atheist & fan of empirical observation) because it isn't supposed to be taken as The Ultimate Truth - science is all about questioning and evolution of ideas, which faith is not.
Reply
(I hear that Kansas is technically flatter than a pancake; I wonder how they tested that)
Mostly though, it's just a fun thought experiment to consider if there were any way the world could be not-round yet we all still believe it is. There are a lot of people who take science on faith, though, and that bugs me. Unfortunately, it's fairly hard to really... test a lot of the things we're told is true.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment