Discussion With Another Physics PHD

The conversation begins with a foundational question about the nature of pressure, comparing how it functions in liquids versus gases. This quickly evolves into a core debate between a speaker with a Ph.D. in physics and a group of skeptics on a Flat Earth Discord server. The central point of contention is whether a column of gas creates pressure due to its own weight in the same way a column of water does.

The skeptics argue that the kinetic theory of gases and the lack of a defined “surface” mean that gravity does not hold gas down, and therefore gas pressure cannot exist outside of a sealed container. The physicist counters by explaining the principles of atmospheric pressure, intermolecular forces, and thermodynamics, arguing that the weight of the air above is precisely what creates pressure at lower altitudes. The discussion delves into the philosophy of science, the validity of scientific models, and the burden of proof. The skeptics cite specific amateur experiments, such as laser tests over long distances of water, which they claim empirically disprove the Earth’s curvature. The conversation concludes with a sociological debate about why such “evidence” is not accepted by mainstream science, with the physicist suggesting a global conspiracy is less likely than errors in the experiments themselves.