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Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Do debates ever convert anyone?

« on: February 17, 2022, 10:24:38 PM »

I've done sufficient research to make an informed decision about which team I'm on.

You have demonstrated otherwise. Understanding the subject will be a prerequisite to you having a meaningful discussion.

Considering that I have not discussed any specific aspects of what I do or do not know about the shape of the Earth, how precisely have I demonstrated that I lack sufficient knowledge to participate in the discussion that I myself initiated?
It could be argued that you, as a proponent of FET, have demonstrated a clear lack of understanding of basic physics. Therefore, by your logic, you don’t meet the prerequisites to participate in a meaningful discussion on this topic. A topic which has comically devolved from simple question about whether these debates ever sway either side, into one largely about wrapping paper around basketballs.

Have you ever thought about how a single explanation—a spherical earth—effortlessly explains literally everything that gets debated on this forum, and a flat earth requires a vast, ever-growing trove of separate explanations for each aspect?

The truth is right under your feet. It’s just a lot less fun than being in this elite club of special enlightened people who think they know more than all the great thinkers mankind has ever produced.

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Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Do debates ever convert anyone?

« on: February 16, 2022, 08:47:31 PM »

The thing that prevents you from making or seeing the opposing argument to your position on that subject would be merely an ignorance on your part. When you argue based on what you feel is "unrealistic" it is an argument from ignorance, dismissing a possible knowledge because you do not know something about it and may seem outside the norm.

To assume that I don't see the opposing argument (FET) because I'm ignorant/uninformed about it, was, ironically, you doing the same in regards to me. I've done sufficient research to make an informed decision about which team I'm on. But you did not know that. You just assumed I was uninformed on the topic. I find FET "unrealistic" specifically because I have knowledge about both sides of the issue, not because I blindly follow the norm or trust my feelings more than data and fact. So, being ignorant of my background, you assumed I was ignorant and uninformed, and thus ignorantly formed an uninformed opinion of me  No hard feelings.

But, back to my original question. The reason I asked it was because I have an interest in discussing FET, but I think I may end up not doing so because it feels pointless. Everyone on both sides appears pretty firmly planted. I do love a lively debate, but things feel a little too defensive around here for my taste. This is understandable, since most discussions started by REs are, naturally, intended to disprove FET. I can't say I'd be significantly different, other than understanding I'm not going to actually convert anyone. I'd imagine people who genuinely want to come over to the flat side pop in from time to time and find what they're looking for, but to those of us who do not find FET plausible, these forums may be an exercise in futility. The only topic that might be fun to explore is whether a spherical Earth can be disproved by Flat Earthers. Has that been sufficiently explored already? So much attention is given to attempting to debunk FET that flipping the script sounds more interesting to me.

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Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Do debates ever convert anyone?

« on: February 16, 2022, 07:13:32 PM »

“^Seems to be a rather clear cut example of a high degree of dissonance resonating in your messaging.”

I can see why it looks that way, but allow me to clarify. I do not intend to ever mock a person personally for believing in a flat earth. My issue is with FET itself. I’d like to be able to discuss this topic without personal attacks, is what I meant.

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Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Do debates ever convert anyone?

« on: February 16, 2022, 12:24:49 AM »

Thanks for your reply, Tom. You mentioned a little about how you came over to the flat side of the fence. Do you mind telling me a little more about that journey? I’m not here in an attempt to mock you or anyone else, but FET seems laughably unrealistic to me and I’m just curious how someone comes to believe it.

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Philosophy, Religion & Society / Do debates ever convert anyone?

« on: February 15, 2022, 11:57:35 PM »

RE here. Has any flat earther ever been convinced that the earth is a sphere as the result of these forum debates? Or has any round earther ever been convinced that the earth is flat?