The notion of a Flat Earth as a conspiracy is an old theory.

The people who

believe in this theory believe that our planet is disc shaped, flat like a pizza. In
the center of the earth there is the arctic and at the edge of the circle there is
Antarctica. For the flat-Earthers as well as believing the Earth to be flat, they
also think that the earth is covered by a giant dome onto which the moon, the
sun, and the stars are projected. Flat Earthers believe that all media outlets are
conspiring to hide the real truth about a flat earth.

Since antiquity the belief of a flat earth was widely held and indeed at one time
it was considered that any other idea about the shape of the earth was a heresy
( from the church for example), however since mathematicians succeeded to
prove that the Earth was round, such as Pythagoras who was the first, the
notion of a flat earth has continued to be believed in society. Notably by
religions for which a round earth would pose a problem concerning their beliefs
and culture, even nowadays where it’s commonly accepted that the earth is
round. Since the end of the XIX century, Samuel Rowbotham was one of
principal influencers within the flat earth believers. He wrote a book called
Zetetic Astronomy in 1865 which outlined the flat Earth theories and is even
today a vital reference for conspiracy theorists. In 1956 a society was created by
Samuel Shenton which gathered all the Flat Earthers. This society was called the
international flat earth research society.

The flat earth conspiracy spread throughout history through books, art and
some scientists who made fake calculations. However, with the social media
revolution some new videos and articles have appeared and are once again
being spread by people sensitive to conspiracy. Recently, the flat earth theory
has been spread by politicians and celebrities.

People believe in this theory because it allows them to make sense of the
environment, our space and planet. Effectively for them the mystery of our
planet continues today as they think that pictures of our round planet are fake.
I believe that Flat Earthers are people who refuse to believe in common
knowledge about space and earth. They prefer their own answers. They think
there is a secret around the truth. That reality is hidden by the authorities.

People believe in this theory because the idea of the earth and space is too big
to contemplate. So, it’s a way for them to give an explanation for overwhelming
events. And for them, believing in a flat earth is a way to feel safe and to create
boundaries in order to have a sense of control in their lives. It’s a way to create
your own reality and to have the impression of being locked up in an
unpredictable world.
Finally, belief in this theory is a way of making sense of a chaotic world with
tons of stimulation and random events. These people need to clarify the world,
to explain it with their own words and to understand why they are here?
LUCIE< THERE IS LOTS OF REPETITION OF THE SAME IDEA HERE.. TRY TO
REDUCE THIS TO A FEW SENTENCES..

According to a yougov survey of more than 8000 American adults it was

suggested that as many as one in six Americans are not entirely certain the
world is round. This theory is most widely believed in the United States.