EPISODE · Jul 5, 2026 · 18 MIN
Why People Think the World is Flat
from Elsewhere · host Tyler Cooper
What if 2% of Americans still believe something that ancient Greeks figured out 2,500 years ago? Tyler Cooper digs into the surprisingly modern phenomenon of flat Earth beliefs and reveals why some people reject centuries of scientific evidence for a theory that started with a 1950s Englishman. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why the Flat Earth Society only started in 1956, making it newer than McDonald's • How social media algorithms turned fringe beliefs into viral movements with millions of views • The psychological need to feel "special" and "informed" that drives conspiracy thinking • Why humans have actually known Earth was round since the 6th century BC 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone who's ever wondered how misinformation spreads so fast in the digital age. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler Cooper introduces the modern flat Earth puzzle [02:15] Meet Samuel Shenton, the man who started it all in 1956 [04:30] How YouTube and Twitter amplified fringe beliefs into mainstream movements [06:45] The psychology behind needing to feel smarter than everyone else [09:00] Ancient Greeks vs. modern conspiracy theorists [11:30] Why this matters for how we consume information today This isn't just about flat Earthers. It's about understanding how echo chambers work, why people reject expert consensus, and what happens when the human need to feel special collides with social media algorithms designed to keep you clicking. 🔔 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 theories, social media misinformation, psychology of belief, echo chambers ----- Keywords: geopolitical analysis, trade wars, political analysis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
What if 2% of Americans still believe something that ancient Greeks figured out 2,500 years ago? Tyler Cooper digs into the surprisingly modern phenomenon of flat Earth beliefs and reveals why some people reject centuries of scientific evidence for a theory that started with a 1950s Englishman. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why the Flat Earth Society only started in 1956, making it newer than McDonald's • How social media algorithms turned fringe beliefs into viral movements with millions of views • The psychological need to feel "special" and "informed" that drives conspiracy thinking • Why humans have actually known Earth was round since the 6th century BC 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone who's ever wondered how misinformation spreads so fast in the digital age. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler Cooper introduces the modern flat Earth puzzle [02:15] Meet Samuel Shenton, the man who started it all in 1956 [04:30] How YouTube and Twitter amplified fringe beliefs into mainstream movements [06:45] The psychology behind needing to feel smarter than everyone else [09:00] Ancient Greeks vs. modern conspiracy theorists [11:30] Why this matters for how we consume information today This isn't just about flat Earthers. It's about understanding how echo chambers work, why people reject expert consensus, and what happens when the human need to feel special collides with social media algorithms designed to keep you clicking. 🔔 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 theories, social media misinformation, psychology of belief, echo chambers ----- Keywords: geopolitical analysis, trade wars, political analysis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why People Think the World is Flat
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