I'm not one to pre-judge anything. And I make thorough examination of all things. Therefor I've been making an examination of this concept for a little while now.
So far, many things said about the flat-earth concept seem to be... rather difficult to argue.
I began to catalogue all the arguments FOR flat earth, and scientifically examine each one. I have papers which seem to prove flat-earth quite thoroughly and water tight (no pun intended).
But then I came upon one question which I can not get past. And I think this is the "make or break" answer. If it can not be thoroughly explained, then I can not whole souled adopt the theory. If it can not be demonstrated, then it breaks the flat-earth model. However, if it CAN be explained to my satisfaction, I believe it has the potential to win not only me, but many more.
Before I get started... If anyone calls me a shill, they are an idiot, and are unable to have an adult scientific discussion. My question is legitimate and my point is valid. You have to prove me wrong. And you will not do that by being a troll or a jerk. Sorry about this disclaimer, but I know how forums are [as a rule].
Here it goes...
To the best of my knowledge, the star Polaris is not viewable below the equator. It is especially not viewable from the south pole, because that would involve looking through the planet.
If the earth is flat, then Polaris MUST be viewable from the south pole, at least with a telescope.
However, from what I know, they use "the southern cross" in the southern hemisphere, to find north. The stars in the northern hemisphere rotate in a circle, and the stars in the southern hemisphere rotate in a circle, and the stars around the equator move over the earth in near straight lines. This seems in line with a round globe, and is impossible with a flat earth.
Where are photos of the north star from the south pole?
Again, this one argument could win millions of people to your view.
In addition, if this is true, the following argument would be usable against a spherical earth...
If earth is revolving around the sun in an elliptical orbit, and the earth is at a tilt, and the earth is wobbling… How is it possible that Polaris is [always] in the center above the north pole, with only slight variation??? …Considering Polaris is said to be some 390 lightyears from earth (trillions, of trillions, of trillions of miles away).
Can you see how this argument is a make or break as a basis for belief?
As it stands, I've only told two people that I'm even examining this theory. One person is very open minded; and the other is an engineer and a math wiz. At this point, I wish I had said nothing to the engineer. After thinking about it for a few days, she told me that she has concluded that it's not possible, and she doesn't want to hear any more about it... in other words, she cut me off from all further discussion.
So either I'm going to have to tell her that I take back what I said, admit I was wrong, and that I'm convinced of a globe... or I say nothing, and when a flat earth is proven, she will view me as the most intelligent man on the face of the earth. The thing is that all my friends already see me as the most intelligent man they know. Just last night a friend introduced me to someone by saying: "This is [so and so], He's REALLY smart." This is how people define me. I'm not saying this to show off. The point is that a belief like this has the potential to turn you from being a genius in the minds of others, into the biggest idiot, gullible fool, on the planet. And at least with one person, I may have already crossed that line... and it can't be taken back.
And so I come here to ask the big question. Show me Polaris from the south, and this will convince me, and anyone else with a logical mind. Don't prove it, and no one will believe.
—Rx