1

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: This doesn't make sense

« on: February 23, 2007, 05:29:54 PM »

Velocity does not add linearly.  It appears to do so when speeds are very slow compared to c.  The actual formula for adding velocity is:

w = (u+v)/(1+uv/c^2)

You stated that earlier, and it doesn't really help.  Do you have anything else, or a different way of putting your statement?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Re: This doesn't make sense

« on: February 23, 2007, 05:21:44 PM »

Is there any way to put it into terms that don't involve equations, for those of us to whom they mean nothing?

What happens as the earth approaches the speed of light that prevents it from ever getting there?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Re: This doesn't make sense

« on: February 23, 2007, 05:07:56 PM »

So the effects of gravity are not caused by acceleration, but by centrifugal force?  Or am I reading that incorrectly?
It seems that you are stating that the flat earth's trajectory is curved, and that's why it will never reach light speed.

It still seems that an indefinitely accelerating object has to eventually reach a certain rate of speed.

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Flat Earth Q&A / Re: The Shadow Object is a null hypothesis

« on: February 23, 2007, 04:47:06 PM »

FE'ers claim that a shadow object...

Only Tom Bishop claims that.

What do non-Tom's believe to be the cause of Lunar eclipses, then?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Re: This doesn't make sense

« on: February 23, 2007, 04:44:55 PM »

I've read the FAQ and seen the argument made several times here that the earth is flat and accelerating upwards.

I've also seen it stated that the earth will never reach the speed of light.

Aren't these two statements contradictory?  If the earth is always accelerating, won't it eventually reach the speed of light, as that is a fixed set speed, not an infinitum?

And if the answer truly is no, what happens as the earth's acceleration approaches light speed?  Will it slow to a stop?  Will the effect of "gravity" then disappear?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Getting rid of Jesus

« on: February 18, 2007, 01:57:50 PM »

And what do you think of Charles K. Johnson?  Do his beliefs and foundings have any bearing on this group?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Getting rid of Jesus

« on: February 18, 2007, 01:22:29 PM »

From an interview with Charles K. Johnson, one time president of the International Flat Earth Research Society:

-----
Johnson's beliefs are firmly grounded in the Bible. Many verses of the Old Testament imply that the earth is flat, but there's more to it than that. According to the New Testament, Jesus ascended up into heaven.

"The whole point of the Copernican theory is to get rid of Jesus by saying there is no up and no down," declares Johnson. "The spinning ball thing just makes the whole Bible a big joke."
-----

Do the members of this site feel the same way?  Are the grounds of your beliefs primarily (or partially) based on this idea of biblical logistics?  Are all "Flat-Earthers" also Christians?

And what do you think of Charles K. Johnson?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Um......

« on: February 18, 2007, 01:05:18 AM »

I don't know whether this is a FE/RE inquiry, or whether it's an aspect of physics to which I am unfamiliar, but what exactly is the "cold light" projected by the moon?

Doesn't light as energy cause increased molecular vibration, and heat?  How is it possible for light to cause a decrease in temperature?

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Flat Earth Q&A / I guess I'll come back later

« on: February 16, 2007, 05:06:58 PM »

It's a shame that so many people, both FE and RE alike have decided to post such hostility here today.

I found this site and was intrigued.  I feel like there are answers and good conversations to be had, but clearly today is not the day.  I will come back when things aren't quite so temultuous, and I hope we can have a civilized conversation.

I look forward to it.

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Flat Earth Q&A / Tom- Please Read. Serious Post

« on: February 16, 2007, 04:43:37 PM »

Diskworld is a book of fiction.

Of course it is - that's not what I meant.

I am asking whether you believe Terry Pratchett's portrayal of geography to be accurate?  Do you think the shape of his world is the true one?  Did he get his idea from your group, or vice versa?

Just curious.

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Flat Earth Q&A / Tom- Please Read. Serious Post

« on: February 16, 2007, 04:36:33 PM »

North is Hubward, South is Rimward, East is Turnwise, and West is Widdershins.

Is the entirety of your belief derived from Terry Pratchett's writings?  Do you think his books are non-fictional in their portrayal of geography?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Why?

« on: February 16, 2007, 04:34:46 PM »

I'm going to bump this in hopes of receiving a serious response.
I am genuinely interested and feel that I have engaged this on very polite terms, all things considered.

A clear reply to the question would truly be appreciated.

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Flat Earth Q&A / GOOD WORK WAS ABOUT TIME FOR A CLEANUP IN HERE

« on: February 16, 2007, 04:31:12 PM »

Have you looked out your window recently?

Clear precedent for a flat earth.

In the vein of rational discussion:
Let's suspend disbelief a moment and pretend the Earth is a sphere.  Do you believe that, upon looking out the window, you would visibly see the curvature of the earth?  Do you think every road would appear to be a hill, and every horizon a curve?

You do know that if the earth were a sphere, it would be such a large sphere that it would be imposible to notice such a curvature from the ground, right?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Why?

« on: February 16, 2007, 02:50:16 PM »

You amended your reply as I was posting.

Do you have any other, perhaps more convincing examples? NASA is becoming a financial failure - it seems that if they were the masterminds behind this, it would be working out better for them. Further, what do other countries get out of it? NASA isn't exactly donating outside of its borders.

I hesitate to believe that your entire view is based on minor cash flow. I know billions of dollars sounds like a lot of money, but it really isn't, as far as the global economy goes. There must be a far superior reason that this belief is perpetuated. right? The maintenance on skewing the public's views in this way would be incredibly fragile and expensive.

Please tell me there's something more to it.

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Flat Earth Q&A / Why?

« on: February 16, 2007, 02:44:19 PM »

Your response does not actually answer my question.  I'm certainly not inquiring as to *why* people believe the earth to be round.

Allow me to try once more, very straightforward.  My question is as follows:

Can you define one specific scenario in which someone benefits by knowing that the earth is flat, and convincing everyone else that it is round?

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Flat Earth Q&A / Why?

« on: February 16, 2007, 02:33:14 PM »

Care to elaborate?
Please provide a specific scenario in which somebody benefits by proporting the earth to be round when it is actually flat.

I inquire not out of assault on your beliefs, but genuine curiosity.

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Flat Earth Q&A / Why?

« on: February 16, 2007, 02:14:47 PM »

After thoroughly perusing the FAQ, I believe I understand the reasoning behind your group's beliefs fairly well.  I have one question that did not appear to be answered in your documentation:

Q: "Why do the all the world Governments say the Earth is round?"

A: It's a conspiracy

Why?

What do the world's governments - or any of the people on Earth, for that matter - stand to gain from misleading the population into falsly believing our planet to be spherical?

It's no small task to keep a secret like that under wraps - the payoff would certainly need to be worthwhile.