"Perhaps the reason they can navigate with flat maps is because the earth is flat."
I honestly don't see how you can be this bad at understanding things....
I'm not particularly talking about Mercator maps. Navigators don't use a world Mercator map to travel the nuances of the British coast -- they use a big map of Europe -- maps specifically tailored to show the detailed areas of a region. It's these region specific maps which more closely match how the region would look on a flat earth model.
The types of maps which show a single region are flat with a single scale in the corner which show that one inch=xxx miles or so. They give a strong impression that the scale is applicable to anywehere on the page.
Consider this map for instance:
There is only one scale in the corner-- which gives the reader the impression that the scale is applicable across the entire map. Any region specific map you'll find has a single scale like this.
If the earth were a globe, there should be scales all over this map to account for the checkerboard of the longitude and latitude lines that grow and shrink on that map depending on where it is. However, there is only one scale on any region-specific map you look at. This suggests that it is a flat earth map.
Any atlas a navigator buys has only one scale in the corner like that. If a navigator traveling across Europe is using that one scale to judge his distances, and regularly reaches his destination with precision as claimed on this forum, then it can only be because the earth is flat.
Oh... so navigators don't use Mercator projection maps for navigation....
Me: "Hey Encyclopedia, could you verify that fact for me"
Encyclopedia: "Sure thing bro. I got your back. Here:
Mercator projection: globe of the Earth type of map projection introduced in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator. It is often described as a cylindrical projection, but it must be derived mathematically. The meridians are equally spaced, parallel vertical lines, and the parallels of latitude are parallel, horizontal straight lines, spaced farther and farther apart as their distance from the Equator increases. This projection is widely used for navigation charts, because any straight line on a Mercator-projection map is a line of constant true bearing that enables a navigator to plot a straight-line course. It is less practical for world maps because the scale....
[Credit: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]"
Me: "Hold on encyclopedia, what was that about navigation and world maps?"
Encyclopedia: "Well, the projection is widely used for navigation charts, because any straight line on a Mercator-projection map is a line of constant true bearing that enables a navigator to plot a straight-line course. It is less practical for world maps because the scale..."
Me: "I see. So you're saying that the Mercator projection is used primarily for accurate navigation of local areas?"
Encyclopedia: "You got it."
Me: "*Gasp*, but if that's true, that would mean that Tom has absolutely no idea what he is talking about."
Encyclopedia: "Facts are facts."
Me: "Wow, thanks Encyclopedia! I'm suprised more people (like Tom) don't use you to check facts. You're so easy to use and awesome."
Encyclopedia: "No Megaman, you're awesome!"
Me: "Oh you..."