A surprising new survey shows that roughly 10 percent of Americans agree that the Earth is flat, despite centuries of scientific evidence proving otherwise. While that number includes skeptics and those unsure, the finding is a sobering reminder: fact doesn’t always win in the digital age.
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A Persistent Belief in the Face of Evidence
It seems almost absurd. We have satellite images, space missions, GPS systems, and centuries of physics to confirm that Earth is (approximately) a sphere. Yet flat-Earth ideas continue to draw believers online. The 2021 POLES survey of U.S. adults found that about 9–10 percent agreed with conspiracy claims like “the Earth is flat” or “NASA faked moon landings.”
Other polls tell a more nuanced story. For example, a YouGov study found that only around 2 percent of Americans firmly believe the Earth is flat—but many more express doubts or uncertainty. In younger groups (ages 18-24), just 66 percent said they firmly believe Earth is round; the remainder were either skeptical or unsure.
So while outright flat-Earth believers are a small minority, a larger slice of the population is uncertain or open to questioning. And that uncertainty is fertile ground for misinformation.
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How Did We Get Here?
1. Misinformation and viral content
Online platforms favor content that grabs attention. Pseudoscientific claims, conspiracy theories, and provocative headlines spread rapidly—often faster than careful, evidence-based material. Many flat-Earth videos and memes drift through YouTube, TikTok, or forums, reaching curious viewers who may be susceptible to doubt.
2. Skepticism of expertise and institutions
Part of the flat-Earth appeal lies in rejecting authority. Some believers distrust scientists, governments, or mainstream media, viewing them as hiding the “truth.” Once someone embraces conspiracy thinking, they may be more open to other fringe ideas.
3. Gaps in science education & critical thinking
Many people lack deep exposure to astronomy, physics, or how scientific reasoning works. If you’ve never learned about how satellites orbit, how gravity works, or how eclipses occur, flat-Earth arguments can sound superficially plausible. Without tools to evaluate claims, a person may give equal weight to evidence and counterclaims.
4. Cultural or religious influences
Some flat-Earth believers link their worldview to literal religious interpretations or see “elite suppression” of alternate cosmologies. In some polls, over half of self-identified flat-Earth adherents describe themselves as “very religious.”
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Why It Matters
At first glance, believing in a flat Earth might seem harmless or eccentric. But it signals bigger challenges:
Science rejection spreads. Accepting one conspiracy increases the chance of accepting others.
Undermining trust. If people don’t trust scientists or reliable institutions, public discourse on climate, health, and technology becomes harder.
Education gaps exposed. When basic scientific literacy is weak, myths and misinformation find fertile soil.
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What We Can Do
1. Encourage curiosity + skepticism, not cynicism
Doubt is not the enemy—closing one’s mind is. Teach people how science works: how hypotheses are tested, evidence is weighted, and peer review operates. Show examples (e.g. how satellites map Earth, how gravity curves trajectories).
2. Use clear visuals and stories
It’s one thing to say “Earth is spherical.” It’s more persuasive to show a series of photos from space, time-lapse videos of the horizon, the shadow during a lunar eclipse, or the way ships disappear hull-first over the curve.
3. Combat misinformation at its source
Promote fact-checking tools, media literacy, and scientific voices that engage (not lecture). When conspiracy content appears, provide accessible rebuttals in the same medium (videos, social posts, etc.).
4. Strengthen science education & critical thinking
Include more hands-on astronomy, physics, and logic in school curricula. Teach students not only what we know, but how we came to know it—and how to evaluate new claims themselves.
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Final Thought
The fact that 1 in 10 Americans—or roughly that share, depending on polling—believes Earth is flat, or is uncertain, is a cautionary signal. It shows how narratives rooted in doubt, distrust, and sensationalism can compete with centuries of scientific progress.
Next time you glimpse the horizon, watch a lunar eclipse, or see a globe in your classroom, remember: these aren’t just curiosities—they are anchors of knowledge in a sea of misinformation. Our task is to help more people anchor (again) in reason and wonder.