Flat Earth Society

A rendered picture of the Flat Earth model. The white around the outside of the globe is an “Ice Wall”, preventing people from falling off the surface of the earth.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Some people believe that the Earth is flat.

They say, “It just seems flat, doesn’t it ?”

Going on first impression, they could be right.

Without looking too long, or too hard, or too well;
without taking into account the observations reported by others,
or the careful measurements made by others,
or around the world travel,
or world history,
or the circular nature of oceanic currents,
weather patterns,
seismic wave measurements,
satellite orbits,
astronomical movements,
astronaut photographs,
trips to the moon, etc.
taking things just on the merest,
most shallow,
completely unexamined
first impression,
they could be right.

And who doesn’t like to be right ?

Crave it, even ?

Especially to be right about a view
that feels as comfortable as old sneakers?

 

No brainer, that.

Suppose you grew up with a certain world view.
( flat Earth or otherwise )

Suppose someone comes along
and challenges the form fitting,
pleasant old way to see the world
that had been taken for granted
up until that moment.

What would be the most likely, reflexive, thing to do ?

Argue first.
Ask questions later.

No reason to let reality interfere with our comfortable position.

We have all done this at one time or another.

The closer to “home”, the more automatic the defensive response.

For the Flat Earth Society, home is this seemingly level planet.

Where is home for you ?

How about the ” self ” ?

As in ” myself “.

Have you ever  seen your self ?

What are its qualities ?
Attributes ?
Characteristics ?

What is it that you actually identify as a self ?

Have you ever sincerely, enthusiastically looked for a self ?

I dare you.

Double dog dare you with sprinkles on top.

No one has ever found a self,
once they actually looked.

They have found a variety of objects:
thoughts, sensations, emotions, parts of the body.

It’s what is found right here as these words are typed.
With no owner.

Just the things themselves.

Many people I’ve met
simply have not yet examined the possibility
that the self,
presumed extant since before conscious memory,
is profoundly misinterpreted.

Certainly the Flat Earth people don’t entertain such considerations.

Why would they?

The answer is obvious.

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thanks to Wikipedia for the first Flat Earth reference image and text from this url: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flat_earth.jpg

Thanks to Virgin Media website for the second flat earth image:
http://www.virginmedia.com/digital/features/how-did-we-ever-believe-that.php?ssid=1