Why do thousands of people still believe the Earth is flat in 2024? Tyler Cooper uncovers the psychology behind one of the internet's most persistent conspiracy theories, and the answer has nothing to do with intelligence.

Spoiler alert: it's not about the science. It's about trust, community, and how YouTube's algorithm accidentally created a movement that conferences in North Carolina and spawned thousands of believers worldwide.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

• How a 1956 society founded by Samuel Shenton grew into a global community

• Why YouTube's recommendation system became flat Earth's biggest recruiter

• The real psychological needs these theories fulfill (hint: it's not stupidity)

• How ancient Greeks calculated Earth's size 2,500 years ago using just shadows

👤 Perfect for: Anyone who's ever wondered how smart people believe wild things, plus lifelong learners who want to understand the psychology of misinformation.

📍 Chapters:

[00:00] Tyler Cooper introduces the flat Earth mystery

[01:45] Samuel Shenton's 1956 society that started it all

[03:30] How YouTube algorithms accidentally fueled the movement

[06:00] Inside the 2017 North Carolina conference that drew 500 believers

[08:15] The psychology of institutional mistrust

[10:30] What ancient Greeks knew that flat Earthers ignore

[12:00] Why this matters for fighting misinformation today

The kicker? Eratosthenes figured out Earth's circumference around 240 BCE using shadows and math. But in our hyperconnected world, conspiracy theories spread faster than facts.

🔔 Never miss an episode:

Follow Elsewhere on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.

🔍 Topics: flat Earth theory, conspiracy psychology, misinformation, YouTube algorithms, institutional trust

---------------

Keywords: international stories, international podcast, border disputes, political commentary, current affairs, global politics, foreign affairs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices