Okaaaaay... I'm back from my little forced vacation. Sorry about your mom, Raist.
Having had some time to contemplate this site and the posters here, I've refined some thoughts about this topic.
This thread was started to analyze how people choose what to believe and how that relates to the Flat Earth supporters. It's in this category because it relates directly to the debate as it is presented in these forums. It's an attempt to provide structure to the debate for the benefit of true scientific thinkers.
Very little of the content in this thread actually pertains to it's topic and I think that speaks volumes on my actual point.
In modern culture, the very term "Flat Earther" is used to refer to anyone who claims absurd, backward and ignorant beliefs with a completely inane dismissal of any opposing ideas. Because of this, debating the flat Earth has the potential to be a valuable tool in understanding how real scientific debate works. Beyond that, there is nothing to be gained by undertaking a conversation with a true believer.
I think it is best stated by the owner of this site when they say that their goal is to promote the flat Earth idea. This is in stark contrast to this category's description of being for "serious debate." They aren't really here to learn or better science, but rather to spread the faith, by bringing others to believe as they do. I doubt seriously that folks like Tom even understand how they have reached their beliefs. They wish to be considered intelligent, so they claim to be scientific. The fact that their behavior constantly betrays their true character is easily ignored by many and completely beyond their own ability to perceive.
After being here for a while and reading most of what's written here and elsewhere about this particular group, I'm disappointed to learn that there is no real difference between flat Earth and other pseudoscience. I was hoping to find actual true believers, but it seems that any that exist are either incapable or just not interested in spouting their ideas in public. After all, true belief does not come with a need to convince others. That need only arises when one has serious questions about their own understanding and require validation from a group of like-minded people.
Tom Bishop may be the closest we will ever get to finding a true believer. He knows he is wrong in 90% of what he says, but that part of his personality is so repressed and beaten down by his faith that it no longer has the power to influence his behavior. It could possibly be said that Tom has lied to himself long enough that he actually believes what he says in some sense. I would love to put him and some others here on a polygraph to see what they actually think of the things they say.
I know that Tom and other FE'ers are going to continue trashing this thread (I'm very surprised it hasn't already been shunned to the lesser categories like other serious topics), but I'm still hoping to find more real thinkers here and hear their opinions. Anybody?