Flat Earthers multiplying because of YouTube
- 5 years ago
WASHINGTON — If you’re wondering why on this totally flat disc of an Earth, we’re starting to see Flat Earthers everywhere—blame YouTube.
SOURCES: Guardian, BBC
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/17/study-blames-youtube-for-rise-in-number-of-flat-earthers
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47279253
According to the Guardian, Professor Asheley Landrum from Texas Tech University carried out a study at two Flat Earth annual conferences: Raleigh, North Carolina in 2017 and Denver, Colorado in 2018.
He presented his findings at the annual Association for the Advancement of Science meeting.
Based on 30 Flat Earther interviews, they found several who cited YouTube videos as Earth-flattening in terms of how much influence they had on seeing the Flat Earth truth.
Researchers also found out that many of the attendees had ended down the rabbit hole after watching other conspiracy theories at home. Other conspiracy theories?
Others said they originally started watching in order to criticize them, but then due to the science-esque explanations in the YouTube videos, ended up hopping on the Flat Earth train.
According to Landrum, “there’s a lot of helpful information on YouTube but also a lot of misinformation.” Unfortunately, that pretty much describes the entire internet.
He also said there was a need for scientists and science advocates to make their own YouTube videos that have things like—facts!?
SOURCES: Guardian, BBC
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/17/study-blames-youtube-for-rise-in-number-of-flat-earthers
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47279253
According to the Guardian, Professor Asheley Landrum from Texas Tech University carried out a study at two Flat Earth annual conferences: Raleigh, North Carolina in 2017 and Denver, Colorado in 2018.
He presented his findings at the annual Association for the Advancement of Science meeting.
Based on 30 Flat Earther interviews, they found several who cited YouTube videos as Earth-flattening in terms of how much influence they had on seeing the Flat Earth truth.
Researchers also found out that many of the attendees had ended down the rabbit hole after watching other conspiracy theories at home. Other conspiracy theories?
Others said they originally started watching in order to criticize them, but then due to the science-esque explanations in the YouTube videos, ended up hopping on the Flat Earth train.
According to Landrum, “there’s a lot of helpful information on YouTube but also a lot of misinformation.” Unfortunately, that pretty much describes the entire internet.
He also said there was a need for scientists and science advocates to make their own YouTube videos that have things like—facts!?