Bobby is so into the topic that he sometimes even argues against himself, posting good content points we can use in the future in Wikis and such...
All of the above posters are RE'ers, but they are posting in favor of FE for the fun of it. Some of those people will be so encouraged by their results that they will want to get more into it, some eventually becoming real FE'ers.
I will let you in on something. This is such an interesting topic that people want the earth to be flat. We just need to allow them a path for growth. This is how we generate a movement...
I'd like to provide some insight, about me, at least.
I do consider this "fun," but not in the sense a troll would. I consider debate not a way to win an argument, but a way to learn. It forces me to evaluate my position, to understand why I think, believe or believe I know what I do. It doesn't mean I can be won over, necessarily. But it's always healthy to flex yourself, test, and examine what your basis for beliefs or reasonings are.
For instance, I'm an evangelical Christian. That doesn't mean fundamentalist, though my congregation is. One of the most healthy and growth-oriented bible study sessions I've ever had was with a Jehovah's Witness. No one else in my church would consider such a thing. But instead of being threatened or combative, he and I walked through "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" and it forced me to consider what I believe and why. It had the contrary effect on me than one might expect. It didn't convert me. It didn't make me angry. Rather, the strength of my understanding of orthodox Christianity grew and I felt better prepared as a result. And what was best was that even though he and I never came to an agreement, we became friends.
It drives my wife and kids crazy, but I do like to take contrary positions, not to be annoying but to press people (and myself) into thinking through why they hold to a conviction or believe something to be true. Doing it is a challenge, because you have to present a credible argument in order to generate a credible response. And sometimes the exercise does make me reconsider my stance. Frankly, that's what I thought this Flat Earth trend was about. Was FEism just something to goad people into doing some critical thinking? I wasn't even aware of it until Kyrie Irving (NBA basketball star) revealed he considered some of the notions worth considering. Then, it seemed to be popping up in places or with people, unexpected. I was intrigued, not by the notion that the world could be flat, but by what is it that convinces some people to entertain the idea? What did some people find so compelling.
Never say never, they say, but I'll never be swayed. I'm more likely to be suspicious that we're living inside a "Matrix" than a flat earth has been hidden from me. The phenomenon I can witness, the details of my work with satellites and my career in naval aviation just make a flat earth an impossibility. But I do like the challenge of trying to defend it and to understand the counter proposition.
So, having said that, it may explain why I might seem to "argue with myself." I'm not hostile to flat earth. I've read a few screeds that make it sound like flat earthism is a threat and that we shouldn't entertain dialogue with flat earthers because it gives you the notice and publicity that you want. I don't buy that. Flat earth isn't a threat to me (as long as you're not sabotaging my work or threatening me in real ways.) When I engage, I try to be fair. I don't argue to win at all costs. If I see a chink in my reasoning or logic or evidence, I'll reveal it myself even if my opponent didn't see it. If I see a "round earth" argument that isn't sound when trying to ally with me, I may remark or critique it if I want to remain segregated from it. (Likewise, I disagree fundamentally with argumentum ad hominen, which is a too-often emotional reaction. I do, however, tend toward cheekiness at times, which I've had to learn to control on these fora since the moderation is quite strict.)
I'm probably rambling, but I just wanted to give you one Globe Advocate's perspective, which may not be typical. I can already feel my interest in this subject waning, so it's possible I may not even be logging in come a few weeks or months time. A "Debate Club" concept could light a spark. I encourage it, not because I'd like to see Flat Earth find "evangelical" success in promoting FE, but because I'd like to see folks stretch their minds. I used to participate on TheologyWeb. This Debate Club idea reminds me of that. (Not sure if it's still what it was 15 years ago.)
Thanks for listening. Hope this helps.
/Bob