The reporter for The Daily Beast reports on the history and the frightening effect of the believers in a flat earth. It is not new but appears to be growing with one survey reporting that 3 % of Britons believe that the earth is flat, although many are closet Flat Earthers, to avoid ridicule. The most frightening aspects of this is that it is not confined to the uneducated but is espoused by some doctors and pharmacists, and the willingness to believe other conspiracies that it’s paranoia promotes.
The author, a nonreligious Jew, points out the natural skepticism of authority that are a part of some religious beliefs and the many other nonscientific beliefs that are integral to most religions. In this sense, perhaps a majority of us harbour irrational beliefs. This skepticism leads naturally to many other conspiracy theories, including the antisemitism that has multi-millenial history, the QAnon conspiracy theory, the 9/11 conspiracy theory, the many dangerous lies of Trump, the hoax of the moon landing and the various theories about the origin of Covid-19.
Rather than ridicule Flat Earthers, the author recommends a kind and understanding approach to try to get them to see the usual multiple cognitive dissonances in their beliefs- but we all probably have some.
There is nothing here about the reasons for increasing polarization of beliefs, nor anything about the neuroscience that underlies the phenomenon of such polarization, and willingness to believe silly conspiracies.
The author advocates stricter monitoring and control of social media postings, within the limits of free speech laws, while recognizing that their platforms depend on sensational postings.
8.5/10
Thanks, The New Yorker.
The Passionate Reader 