Why People Think the World is Flat

from Elsewhere · host Tyler Cooper

Why do thousands of people still believe the Earth is flat in 2024? Tyler Cooper uncovers the psychology behind one of the internet's most persistent conspiracy theories, and the answer has nothing to do with intelligence. Spoiler alert: it's not about the science. It's about trust, community, and how YouTube's algorithm accidentally created a movement that conferences in North Carolina and spawned thousands of believers worldwide. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • How a 1956 society founded by Samuel Shenton grew into a global community • Why YouTube's recommendation system became flat Earth's biggest recruiter • The real psychological needs these theories fulfill (hint: it's not stupidity) • How ancient Greeks calculated Earth's size 2,500 years ago using just shadows 👤 Perfect for: Anyone who's ever wondered how smart people believe wild things, plus lifelong learners who want to understand the psychology of misinformation. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler Cooper introduces the flat Earth mystery [01:45] Samuel Shenton's 1956 society that started it all [03:30] How YouTube algorithms accidentally fueled the movement [06:00] Inside the 2017 North Carolina conference that drew 500 believers [08:15] The psychology of institutional mistrust [10:30] What ancient Greeks knew that flat Earthers ignore [12:00] Why this matters for fighting misinformation today The kicker? Eratosthenes figured out Earth's circumference around 240 BCE using shadows and math. But in our hyperconnected world, conspiracy theories spread faster than facts. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Elsewhere on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: flat Earth theory, conspiracy psychology, misinformation, YouTube algorithms, institutional trust --------------- Keywords: international stories, international podcast, border disputes, political commentary, current affairs, global politics, foreign affairs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 30, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

NOW PLAYING

Why People Think the World is Flat

0:00 18:48

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

David Tennant Does a Podcast With… Sony Music Entertainment / No Mystery David Tennant, star of Doctor Who, Rivals and Broadchurch, gets talking with the biggest names from TV, movies, comedy and elsewhere. Featuring superstar names like Olivia Colman, James Cordon and Whoopi Goldberg. A Sony Music Entertainment and No Mystery production. Season 3 coming soon! The World and Everything In It WORLD Radio The World and Everything in It is an Apple Podcasts top 100 News program delivering essential headlines, field reporting, interviews, and expert analysis. Find original coverage you can't get elsewhere, such as a weekly overview of every Supreme Court case, biblical cultural analysis, and key international stories. This podcast is a product of listener-supported WORLD Radio, which provides sound journalism grounded in God's Word. Unfurling Elizabeth Wainwright & Catriona Horey Join us as we explore the power of the natural world to inform and inspire us -- in our everyday lives, and in the complex challenges the world is facing. With nature as our guide (and drawing on our own experience in coaching and consulting, international work, non-profit management, writing, local politics, and community) we explore diverse topics like climate change, confidence, listening, health, economics, storytelling, and more.We look from different perspectives - including science and art; city and rural; individuals and systems - and try to cross pollinate ideas and uncover new ways of thinking. We offer up personal experiences, as well as ideas and experiences from guests, books, and elsewhere, all the while asking what the natural world can teach us. Unfurling is hosted by UK-based Catriona Horey and Elizabeth Wainwright. Elizabeth is a writer, a coach and consultant operating locally and globally, and an elected District The Bravo Docket Cesie and Angela Welcome to The Bravo Docket, where pop culture meets the courtroom. Join Cesie and Angela, two attorneys with a passion for pop culture, as they dive into the juiciest lawsuits and legal battles in the world of pop culture. Each episode breaks down sensational legal disputes, making complex issues both engaging and accessible. Whether you're here for facts, fun, or Law 101, get ready to laugh, learn, and lawyer up with The Bravo Docket! Cesie is licensed to practice in California and New York. Angela is licensed to practice in Texas and was admitted to the bars of Kansas and Missouri. The podcast, the statements we make, whether in our own media or elsewhere, and any content we post are for entertainment purposes only and are not legal advice. By listening to the podcast you are not a client of Cesie, Angela, or The Docket, LLC. Any party consuming information provided by The Bravo Docket should consult a lawyer for legal advice. The podcast, our opinions, and our posts, are

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Elsewhere?

This episode is 18 minutes long.

When was this Elsewhere episode published?

This episode was published on July 30, 2026.

Can I download this Elsewhere episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!