Prove the Earth is round

[xouper]

Elaborate: Take the presupposed idiot out onto the beach, and watch the ships sail away. Point out to him that the bottom of the ship dissappears firs, next the middle, and finally the funnels/masts. This makes sense only if the Earth is round, and the ship is folowing the curve of the Earth. If the Earth were flat, however, the ship would appear to get smaller and smaller until it was just a dot on the horizon.

dsm: UNLESS IT FELL OFF THE EDGE!!

If you are standing at the end of Navy Pier in Chicago, for example, and watch a ship sail north along the coast of Lake Michigan, you will see it disappear over the horizon, despite that it stays within sight of land at all times.

 

[Zep]

Interesting point. Just look how difficult it's been trying to convince some poeple that <nobr>0.999... = 1</nobr> in another recent thread that has grown to more than 400 posts.

Ah, but we are not idiots, and the conversation there has been quite an education for all, including me. (NOT of how bright you are or how dumb we are ).

Suggested solution:

1. Ask idiot-1 to select an idiot friend of similar mind (or lack thereof), called idiot-2.

2. Ask idiot-2 to walk east about 20,000 km (i.e. half a hemisphere away). Or take by airplane if they are less dense.

3. At midday, ask idiot-2 to find a phone and call idiot-1 and get them to check if the sun is shining in both places.

4. If the sun IS shining in both places then the world is flat. If not, it's round.

Failing that, the following solution is suggested:

1. Have idiot-1 AND idiot-2 walk east until they fall into an ocean.

2. Repeat with any other idiots.

 

[xouper]

Zep: Ah, but we are not idiots,

I stand corrected. I should have used the phrase "stubborn people who for some unfathomable reason refuse to accept the standard math proofs that 0.999... = 1." Apparently the correct word for that kind of person is not "idiot". Please accept my apology.

 

[Ladewig]

1. Ask idiot-1 to select an idiot friend of similar mind (or lack thereof), called idiot-2.

2. Ask idiot-2 to walk east about 20,000 km (i.e. half a hemisphere away). Or take by airplane if they are less dense.

3. At midday, ask idiot-2 to find a phone and call idiot-1 and get them to check if the sun is shining in both places.

4. If the sun IS shining in both places then the world is flat. If not, it's round.

And what would your response be when idiot-1 says: the earth is flat and the the sun is not bright enough to illuminate the entire surface at once?

 

[Abdul Alhazred]

Originally posted by DangerousBeliefs
I can think of a mathematical proof, that of Eratosthenes from around 230 BC.

He basically took measurements at two different spots on the Earth and used these to figure the circumference... showing the Earth is a near circle.

I would also add that if one goes onto a high mountain, she should be able to see "the other end of the Earth" if it was flat. Since it is not, one could potentially use basic geometry to figure the angles and come up with a rough circumference.

This all assumes that math is correct and 1 + 1 = 2 (a stretch, I know).

And that light travels in straight lines.

 

[BillyJoe]

Suggested solution:

1. Ask idiot-1 to select an idiot friend of similar mind (or lack thereof), called idiot-2.

2. Ask idiot-2 to walk east about 20,000 km (i.e. half a hemisphere away). Or take by airplane if they are less dense.

3. At midday, ask idiot-2 to find a phone and call idiot-1 and get them to check if the sun is shining in both places.

4. If the sun IS shining in both places then the world is flat. If not, it's round.

Idiot: "Yeah but.....I still think it's flat."

Now what?

BillyJoe.

 

[Zep]

And what would your response be when idiot-1 says: the earth is flat and the the sun is not bright enough to illuminate the entire surface at once?

Then clearly the sun is as dim as both the idiots, and I would employ my second suggestion.

 

[Zep]

Idiot: "Yeah but.....I still think it's flat."

Now what?

BillyJoe.

I gave an alternative solution. I would employ it.

 

[Zep]

I stand corrected. I should have used the phrase "stubborn people who for some unfathomable reason refuse to accept the standard math proofs that 0.999... = 1." Apparently the correct word for that kind of person is not "idiot". Please accept my apology.

Thank you. I stand to be better educated, but not to be brow-beaten.

 

[xouper]

Zep: I stand to be better educated, but not to be brow-beaten.

Agreed.

It's an interesting irony that earlier in that math thread, on Oct 30, I compared you and the others to someone who continues to insist the Earth is flat despite all reasonable evidence that it's round. Perhaps you missed that. According to your proposed solution in this thread, I should just recommend that you "walk east until you fall into an ocean."

But you are correct that you don't deserve to be brow-beaten over the issue. A good swim should suffice.

 

[Kumar]

All these things other also feel & can say when anyone says that his substancially existing theory have no value.

 

[Zep]

Agreed.

It's an interesting irony that earlier in that math thread, on Oct 30, I compared you and the others to someone who continues to insist the Earth is flat despite all reasonable evidence that it's round. Perhaps you missed that. According to your proposed solution in this thread, I should just recommend that you "walk east until you fall into an ocean."

But you are correct that you don't deserve to be brow-beaten over the issue. A good swim should suffice.

...which is Xouper's way of saying "Go take a long walk on a short pier," folks.

 

[Zep]

All these things other also feel & can say when anyone says that his substancially existing theory have no value.

Indeed we can! That is how this "science" works. It is subject to rigourous peer review. This is something that is probably new to you, being more familiar with homeopathy and crystal-gazing and like stuff.

You have proposed a theory: The earth is flat. We have reviewed that theory by putting up a number of different experiments that could be used to demonstrate that your theory is demonstrably at odds with reality as we know it.

Furthermore, an alternative theory, that the world is basically spherical, has been be subject to the same tests, and what has been revealed is that the data gathered holds very closely to this particular theory. A spherical earth looks to be a good fit to the data available.

Therefore we can conclude with a high degree of confidence that the flat-earth theory is so weak as to be considered "wrong", while the spherical earth theory is an extremely strong candidate for describing reality.

Do you know what the next steps might be? Some questions that have already occured to people centuries ago are ones like: how BIG is this sphere, and how do I measure the latitude and longitude of this sphere accurately? Do you know your history?

 

[xouper]

Zep: ...which is Xouper's way of saying "Go take a long walk on a short pier," folks.

I was offering your own suggestion back to you. You suggested that those idiots who don't accept the evidence for a round Earth could "walk east until you fall into an ocean." I simply observed that that might also be a good suggestion for those who don't accept the evidence that 0.999... = 1. Don't blame me. It was your suggestion.

 

[Drooper]

Well, I reckon that anyone who can prove that the earth is round deserves a Nobel prize.

I have been of the belief for some time that the earth is spherical.

I never would have guessed that such an esteemed collection of sceptics would turn out to be flat-earthers.

 

[Kumar]

Mr.Hans,

You might have been felt the differance in language & teachings of science & Sprituals.

All,

I noticed today only that how much I have been highlited here. If you say so then, I am not least convinced from your magical tricks & other mentionings. I can not be convinced unless I observe in the manner I mentioned, which is most logical & real may not be practical.

Lost ship may be away from our visual limit, Sun is said to 'rise in the east & set in the west', a universal truth, it may mean sun can also move not earth causing light & dark at differant places on earth at differant time. Earth can also rotate flat causing differance in illuminations at differant places. There can be some obstructions of mountains etc. which may cause light & dark at differant places as in hilly areas. All the measurements are impractical to measure by the common men & can be some tricks & so on.......Some examples/experiments;

Ex. No 1 ; Take a 12''X12" glass sheet. Keep it of flat earth. Put a drop of water, it doesn't moved slightly on the glass till it evaporates. Now tilt or raise one side & again put a drop of water, warter moves towords the lower side. Proves earth is flat.

Ex.No 2; Stand on a flat earth, see you don't fall, now stand on a foot ball, see if you can stand or fall?

Ex.No 3; Take a aeroplane, take it to some 10000' high, see the earth is flat or round from its windows?

Ex. No 4 : Take a 50' X 50' round card board sheet, put a candle on one side of it. Just see if one part of card board is bright & other side dark(sun movement of flat earth)

I think there can be several Expriments like this which can prove otherwise.

Some experiments to check homeopathic efficiency;

1. Go to a homeopth when sick, keep faith in it & experiments the remedies.

2. Slect some 4 biggest idiots among many idiots. Send them each towords four directions all over the earth, give them one/few big note books with pens. Ask them to visit all homeopathic clinics & ask only few question from the available patients as under:-

(a) Why they came there, when so much publicity contrary to homeopathy, don't you believe in scientific findings?

(b) If you take homeopathic treatment, if yes since how many years?

(c) Are you satisfied & healthy with the treatments?

(d) Do you get adverse or side effects?

(e) How much you spend on this treatment?

(f) Do the homeopath attend properly & gives sufficient time or not?

(g) Do you feel natural repulsion to visit here or not?

(h) Remarks.......

If the earth is round as you say then they will reach to the same point after some time. They can also take planes, vehicles etc if can afford. When they come back then average the results. If it is more than 50% it means homeopathy works otherwise not.

Then you again send them to all the directions with note books & pens to genral public with following simple questions:-

(a) Wheter you have seen full earth by naked eye in my style?

(b) If above awnser is yes! then if it is round or flat??

Just simple experiments which an idiot can also do.

 

[The Don]

Oh Mr Kumar, you are too fonny !!!! Every time you is typing, is me laffing so much

Me may have to stop work soon as may need to change trousers from too much funny

What prescription is you on ? from where you get ? Must get some soon

 

[sickstan]

Oh Mr Kumar, you are too fonny !!!! Every time you is typing, is me laffing so much

Me may have to stop work soon as may need to change trousers from too much funny

What prescription is you on ? from where you get ? Must get some soon

This is grossly unfair to castigate a fellow forum person for being unable to communicate coherently. Just because Kumar can't string two thoughts together with logical sense doesn't mean you are permitted to laugh at him!!!!!

What if I were unable to express topic-congruent ideas in a concise, logical manner? Would you humiliate me too???

 

[CurtC]

Drooper wrote:
I have been of the belief for some time that the earth is spherical.

So are you saying that a sphere isn't round? Must be some New Math definition of "round."

 

[Abdul Alhazred]

Well, I reckon that anyone who can prove that the earth is round deserves a Nobel prize.

I have been of the belief for some time that the earth is spherical.

I never would have guessed that such an esteemed collection of sceptics would turn out to be flat-earthers.

A flat Earth with an atmosphere of some ungodly refractive index could explain the ship over the horizon thing, Erastothenes' measurements, etc. It's no more counter-intuitive than the Earth going around the Sun.