What this site is REALLY about

• "It's part of the conspiracy"
• "did YOU observe it or did someone tell you"
• "how can one person see the same thing 1000 miles apart at the same time?"
• "you didn't really see that, you saw a dot that you thought was a satellite".

• When us RE'ers push hard enough and finally put forth an argument that is devoid of all heresay (ie rife with basic/fundamental observations that anyone can make) and that should question some fundamental aspect of the FE world view they fall silent. No rebuttal, no acknowledgment.
• Unlike "RE" science where there is rigorous debate, I have never seen anything close to a similar debate amongst FE'ers here over some of their interpretations of how the world works. This is so because they are NOT trying to advance a theory, instead they are putting forth strawman arguments to force us RE-ers into questioning how we acquired our knowledge in the first place.
• Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

I have come to the conclusion that this site is really about pushing the Zetetic philosophy and the Flat Earth arguments are merely a means to this end.

Zetetic - Seeking; proceeding by inquiry

On the surface this seems fine. I expect everyone here (RE and FE) will agree to that. What seems to be sorely lacking in modern society are those people who will think for themselves instead of relying on others to think for them. Enter the Flat Earth Society.

The conspiracy arguments are a ruse designed to force us REers to find our own evidence (as opposed to what other folks have told us). This also explains all the other claims the FE'ers make, like doubting anyone has flown over antarctica, flown in space, etc. Evidence not directly gathered by you is not really evidence.

Think about what this does to us RE'ers. It forces us to come up with more and more basic/fundamental observations and explanations for the world around us, all in an effort to "convince" the FE'ers that the earth is round. If we take just a step out of the "our own evidence" line, they will call us on it.

• "It's part of the conspiracy"
• "did YOU observe it or did someone tell you"
• "how can one person see the same thing 1000 miles apart at the same time?"
• "you didn't really see that, you saw a dot that you thought was a satellite".

There are 3 behaviors I've noticed on the FE'ers that led me to this conclusion.

• When us RE'ers push hard enough and finally put forth an argument that is devoid of all heresay (ie rife with basic/fundamental observations that anyone can make) and that should question some fundamental aspect of the FE world view they fall silent. No rebuttal, no acknowledgment.
• Unlike "RE" science where there is rigorous debate, I have never seen anything close to a similar debate amongst FE'ers here over some of their interpretations of how the world works. This is so because they are NOT trying to advance a theory, instead they are putting forth strawman arguments to force us RE-ers into questioning how we acquired our knowledge in the first place.
• Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

I think this is a great activity as I agree, too many people rely on others to do their thinking for them. What bugs me is that I don't think this is the best way to get this message out there because there's a lot of people "who already have the message" that are getting caught in the trap.

Quote from: oldsoldier on August 25, 2008, 10:16:57 AM

I have come to the conclusion that this site is really about pushing the Zetetic philosophy and the Flat Earth arguments are merely a means to this end.

Zetetic - Seeking; proceeding by inquiry

On the surface this seems fine. I expect everyone here (RE and FE) will agree to that. What seems to be sorely lacking in modern society are those people who will think for themselves instead of relying on others to think for them. Enter the Flat Earth Society.

The conspiracy arguments are a ruse designed to force us REers to find our own evidence (as opposed to what other folks have told us). This also explains all the other claims the FE'ers make, like doubting anyone has flown over antarctica, flown in space, etc. Evidence not directly gathered by you is not really evidence.

Think about what this does to us RE'ers. It forces us to come up with more and more basic/fundamental observations and explanations for the world around us, all in an effort to "convince" the FE'ers that the earth is round. If we take just a step out of the "our own evidence" line, they will call us on it.

• "It's part of the conspiracy"
• "did YOU observe it or did someone tell you"
• "how can one person see the same thing 1000 miles apart at the same time?"
• "you didn't really see that, you saw a dot that you thought was a satellite".

There are 3 behaviors I've noticed on the FE'ers that led me to this conclusion.

• When us RE'ers push hard enough and finally put forth an argument that is devoid of all heresay (ie rife with basic/fundamental observations that anyone can make) and that should question some fundamental aspect of the FE world view they fall silent. No rebuttal, no acknowledgment.
• Unlike "RE" science where there is rigorous debate, I have never seen anything close to a similar debate amongst FE'ers here over some of their interpretations of how the world works. This is so because they are NOT trying to advance a theory, instead they are putting forth strawman arguments to force us RE-ers into questioning how we acquired our knowledge in the first place.
• Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

I think this is a great activity as I agree, too many people rely on others to do their thinking for them. What bugs me is that I don't think this is the best way to get this message out there because there's a lot of people "who already have the message" that are getting caught in the trap.

You couldn't have said that any more perfectly. Even me, who most people think is the stupidest person on this board for little or no reason, have made the FErs "silent" before.

I have come to the conclusion that this site is really about pushing the Zetetic philosophy and the Flat Earth arguments are merely a means to this end.

Zetetic - Seeking; proceeding by inquiry

On the surface this seems fine. I expect everyone here (RE and FE) will agree to that. What seems to be sorely lacking in modern society are those people who will think for themselves instead of relying on others to think for them. Enter the Flat Earth Society.

The conspiracy arguments are a ruse designed to force us REers to find our own evidence (as opposed to what other folks have told us). This also explains all the other claims the FE'ers make, like doubting anyone has flown over antarctica, flown in space, etc. Evidence not directly gathered by you is not really evidence.

Think about what this does to us RE'ers. It forces us to come up with more and more basic/fundamental observations and explanations for the world around us, all in an effort to "convince" the FE'ers that the earth is round. If we take just a step out of the "our own evidence" line, they will call us on it.

"It's part of the conspiracy"
"did YOU observe it or did someone tell you"
"how can one person see the same thing 1000 miles apart at the same time?"
"you didn't really see that, you saw a dot that you thought was a satellite".

There are 3 behaviors I've noticed on the FE'ers that led me to this conclusion.

When us RE'ers push hard enough and finally put forth an argument that is devoid of all heresay (ie rife with basic/fundamental observations that anyone can make) and that should question some fundamental aspect of the FE world view they fall silent. No rebuttal, no acknowledgment.
Unlike "RE" science where there is rigorous debate, I have never seen anything close to a similar debate amongst FE'ers here over some of their interpretations of how the world works. This is so because they are NOT trying to advance a theory, instead they are putting forth strawman arguments to force us RE-ers into questioning how we acquired our knowledge in the first place.
Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

I think this is a great activity as I agree, too many people rely on others to do their thinking for them. What bugs me is that I don't think this is the best way to get this message out there because there's a lot of people "who already have the message" that are getting caught in the trap.

I have come to the conclusion that this site is really about pushing the Zetetic philosophy and the Flat Earth arguments are merely a means to this end.

Zetetic - Seeking; proceeding by inquiry

On the surface this seems fine. I expect everyone here (RE and FE) will agree to that. What seems to be sorely lacking in modern society are those people who will think for themselves instead of relying on others to think for them. Enter the Flat Earth Society.

The conspiracy arguments are a ruse designed to force us REers to find our own evidence (as opposed to what other folks have told us). This also explains all the other claims the FE'ers make, like doubting anyone has flown over antarctica, flown in space, etc. Evidence not directly gathered by you is not really evidence.

Think about what this does to us RE'ers. It forces us to come up with more and more basic/fundamental observations and explanations for the world around us, all in an effort to "convince" the FE'ers that the earth is round. If we take just a step out of the "our own evidence" line, they will call us on it.

• "It's part of the conspiracy"
• "did YOU observe it or did someone tell you"
• "how can one person see the same thing 1000 miles apart at the same time?"
• "you didn't really see that, you saw a dot that you thought was a satellite".

There are 3 behaviors I've noticed on the FE'ers that led me to this conclusion.

• When us RE'ers push hard enough and finally put forth an argument that is devoid of all heresay (ie rife with basic/fundamental observations that anyone can make) and that should question some fundamental aspect of the FE world view they fall silent. No rebuttal, no acknowledgment.
• Unlike "RE" science where there is rigorous debate, I have never seen anything close to a similar debate amongst FE'ers here over some of their interpretations of how the world works. This is so because they are NOT trying to advance a theory, instead they are putting forth strawman arguments to force us RE-ers into questioning how we acquired our knowledge in the first place.
• Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

I think this is a great activity as I agree, too many people rely on others to do their thinking for them. What bugs me is that I don't think this is the best way to get this message out there because there's a lot of people "who already have the message" that are getting caught in the trap.

You have made a very well endowed point.

I'm glad if the site has that positive effect on you, but it was founded by someone who genuinely believes the Earth is flat.  Furthermore, the FES will be revived by Daniel and Dogplatter soon as an official society with membership, activities and what not, populated by genuine FE'ers.

• Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

Robosteve is not a FE'er.  Lurk moar.  All the complainers in this thread have missed the basic point of this site.

Quote from: ROUND000 on August 25, 2008, 10:41:43 AM

Quote from: oldsoldier on August 25, 2008, 10:16:57 AM

I have come to the conclusion that this site is really about pushing the Zetetic philosophy and the Flat Earth arguments are merely a means to this end.

Zetetic - Seeking; proceeding by inquiry

On the surface this seems fine. I expect everyone here (RE and FE) will agree to that. What seems to be sorely lacking in modern society are those people who will think for themselves instead of relying on others to think for them. Enter the Flat Earth Society.

The conspiracy arguments are a ruse designed to force us REers to find our own evidence (as opposed to what other folks have told us). This also explains all the other claims the FE'ers make, like doubting anyone has flown over antarctica, flown in space, etc. Evidence not directly gathered by you is not really evidence.

Think about what this does to us RE'ers. It forces us to come up with more and more basic/fundamental observations and explanations for the world around us, all in an effort to "convince" the FE'ers that the earth is round. If we take just a step out of the "our own evidence" line, they will call us on it.

• "It's part of the conspiracy"
• "did YOU observe it or did someone tell you"
• "how can one person see the same thing 1000 miles apart at the same time?"
• "you didn't really see that, you saw a dot that you thought was a satellite".

There are 3 behaviors I've noticed on the FE'ers that led me to this conclusion.

• When us RE'ers push hard enough and finally put forth an argument that is devoid of all heresay (ie rife with basic/fundamental observations that anyone can make) and that should question some fundamental aspect of the FE world view they fall silent. No rebuttal, no acknowledgment.
• Unlike "RE" science where there is rigorous debate, I have never seen anything close to a similar debate amongst FE'ers here over some of their interpretations of how the world works. This is so because they are NOT trying to advance a theory, instead they are putting forth strawman arguments to force us RE-ers into questioning how we acquired our knowledge in the first place.
• Despite this, some FE'ers seem to have a good grasp of science and the scientific method.

I think this is a great activity as I agree, too many people rely on others to do their thinking for them. What bugs me is that I don't think this is the best way to get this message out there because there's a lot of people "who already have the message" that are getting caught in the trap.

You couldn't have said that any more perfectly. Even me, who most people think is the stupidest person on this board for little or no reason, have made the FErs "silent" before.

Lol. No you haven't. There is tons of reason we think you are stupid. If you won't admit we have evidence I will start a thread asking for quotes from you proving that you are stupid. Let's see how many pages it will go to.

You're right.  Allow me to elaborate:

The only active FE'ers on this website are Daniel, Dogplatter, Username, and Tom Bishop.  That's it.  The rest of us use the site because it's fun to debate a seemingly impossible to defend position.  When newbies uncover a hole in FET, they take it way too seriously and explode into rage about how anyone can be so stupid as to believe the earth is flat.

So to all newbies, let me just say, relax.  This website was made to debate the shape of the Earth.  The majority of us regulars argue for FE simply because it's fun.

Argue.....That is a great word. However, there is a lack of plausability in your "argument" that you cannot rationalize without "going into a rage" about conpsiracies, NASA ETC. That I think was the original point.

Quote from: Saddam Hussein on August 25, 2008, 01:07:42 PM

You're right.  Allow me to elaborate:

The only active FE'ers on this website are Daniel, Dogplatter, Username, and Tom Bishop.  That's it.  The rest of us use the site because it's fun to debate a seemingly impossible to defend position.  When newbies uncover a hole in FET, they take it way too seriously and explode into rage about how anyone can be so stupid as to believe the earth is flat.

So to all newbies, let me just say, relax.  This website was made to debate the shape of the Earth.  The majority of us regulars argue for FE simply because it's fun.

Argue.....That is a great word. However, there is a lack of plausability in your "argument" that you cannot rationalize without "going into a rage" about conpsiracies, NASA ETC. That I think was the original point.

WE are the logical, rational people here. YOU are the one who is depending on magic and heresay. Although it might be "fun" to debate it here, that just shows how much evidence you lack. You need to resort to defense mechanisms like "we just do it for fun".

It's called being Passive Agressive.

Im here to argue for FE and occasionally against it. Its funny when noobs think Im an FEr.

Being a noob myself, I'm still at the state that I take everyone completely seriously. I'm hoping that will wear off soon, because it might be fun to argue for FE.

Quote from: cbreiling on August 25, 2008, 09:44:29 PM

Being a noob myself, I'm still at the state that I take everyone completely seriously. I'm hoping that will wear off soon, because it might be fun to argue for FE.

I dont consider you a noob. I mostly bait the "omg earth is round cuz we have photos111!" posters we always get.

That's certainly one type of "goofy" argument I've noticed, and in this day when Iran photoshopped an extra ICBM in a launch picture... it should be MORE suspect rather than less suspect.

The other one that... I seem to be detecting (still too new myself) is, what I'll call the "big gun" argument. Many noobs seem to trot out "RE's best and most successful theory" (ie general relativity) as 'proof' that the earth is round. All with barely an understanding of newtonian gravitation themselves.

Quote from: oldsoldier on August 26, 2008, 02:20:52 PM

That's certainly one type of "goofy" argument I've noticed, and in this day when Iran photoshopped an extra ICBM in a launch picture... it should be MORE suspect rather than less suspect.

The other one that... I seem to be detecting (still too new myself) is, what I'll call the "big gun" argument. Many noobs seem to trot out "RE's best and most successful theory" (ie general relativity) as 'proof' that the earth is round. All with barely an understanding of newtonian gravitation themselves.

Even better is  "I am a physics student who knows everything about relativity. Now why isnt the earth going faster than the speed of light?"

[Even better is  "I am a physics student who knows everything about relativity. Now why isnt the earth going faster than the speed of light?"

To drive this analogy home, if this were a serious site, issues would be raised and discussed for clarification. Issues that were misunderstanding of basic FE "theory" would be explained away and issues that needed deeper investigation would be identified and put on a list somewhere. Then serious people would set about working toward resolving these real issues.

And before any "serious" FE'er responds with "yea, we would be run this way if we had funding", well... that's just an excuse. A serious answer would be to tackle that problem from the point of view of "what can we do without funding?". Propose some experiments, develop a budget for said experiments, and then start raising funds to run those experiments. This is the way serious people get stuff done in the real world. Serious people turn excuses into obstacles to be overcome, not permanent road blocks.

This is an extremely interesting site from a social experiment/internet meme "fly-paper" point of view, but from a legit FE point of view... it's not even a good fake.