BY DANIEL LOXTON
REFLECTING UPON SOME STRIKING 2018 SURVEY findings, Skeptics Guide to the Universe host Steven Novella wrote that he was “stunned that there are seemingly average people walking around today with the firm belief that the world is actually flat.” That astonishing fact does indeed cry out for explanation. He wanted to know, “What Drives the Flat-Earthers?”1
That’s an interesting question—and a complicated one. I’ve spent a fair bit of time reviewing the history of Flat Earth claims for Junior Skeptic and various other articles.2 Reviewing the literature is a good first step. If we want to grapple with claims, it helps to know what those claims are and how they have developed over time. However, this may not answer the “Yes, but why?!” question. As one reader challenged me: