In the world of unconventional beliefs, few theories have garnered as much attention—or controversy—as the flat Earth movement. While podcast heavyweight Joe Rogan has always maintained his skepticism, some prominent figures in the combat sports world have embraced the theory, setting the stage for what could be a definitive moment for the movement.
“I don’t talk to him about it anymore,” Rogan said of his friend Eddie Bravo’s flat Earth beliefs during a conversation with Pat Miletich on his podcast years ago. Drawing from his own experience with moon landing skepticism, Rogan highlighted how the desire to believe can sometimes overshadow objective analysis of evidence.
” I just… we had a few conversations about it on the podcast. And initially, he thought it was stupid. He thought the Flat Earth concept was stupid. But then all of a sudden, he started being open-minded to it. I’m like, “What the f— are you saying? What the f— are you saying? This is crazy.”
The movement has found unlikely advocates in the martial arts community.
BJJ turned MMA star Kron Gracie describes his vision of the Flat Earth Model
One of the most interesting aspects of the Flat Earth movement is that there’s no one single model. There are many fractions in the movement and it seems like every ‘personality’ has their own take on what exactly is going on. This further compromises the likelihood that they’re all actually convinced and not just playing the audience for financial gains.
In a revealing interview on Eddie Bravo Radio, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prodigy and MMA fighter Kron Gracie shared his unconventional views on the shape of the Earth, suggesting a belief in the flat Earth model.
Kron Gracie believes that we’re living on an “eye.” #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/a6R1P5EDeL
— FullContactMTWF (@FullContactMTWF) February 17, 2019
And while years have passed Gracie is still convinced that the Earth is flat.
Yeah, I believe the earth is flat,” Gracie told ESPN MMA. “It is what it is. People will always try to say something. I’m not trying to promote the flat earth and try to push it — really I don’t even want to talk about it. Ultimately, no one really knows. Until you get into a rocket and you can fly up and really see, but I just have some doubts on some of these things. I just don’t know if there’s enough information for me to believe that the earth is spinning. I don’t even want to get in it too much.”
UFC’s Bryce Mitchell claims Twinkle Twinkle little star is proof the Earth is Flat
UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has made waves with his controversial claim – that the classic children’s song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” proves the Earth is flat.
In a recent podcast appearance, Mitchell expounded on his flat Earth beliefs, stating: “I don’t believe that the Earth is flat. I know that it’s flat because I know that I have proof.”
He went on to cite the lyrics of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” as evidence, saying: “They wrote that back a long time ago because they look at the stars and they say hey these things twinkle. Well guess what don’t twinkle? The sun.”
Mitchell claims this proves the sun and stars are different, contradicting mainstream scientific understanding. He argues the Bible differentiates between the sun, moon and stars as separate entities, while NASA falsely teaches that the sun is a star.
The fighter also railed against NASA, calling the space agency “demonic” and claiming all their photos of Earth from space are photoshopped. He insists satellites are actually just balloons and that gravity doesn’t exist.
Here’s why Antarctica is the key to disproving Flat Earth movement
The Flat Earth movement may finally meet its match in Antarctica this December, as a group of believers and skeptics embark on a trip to settle the debate once and for all.
Organized by Will Duffy, a pastor from Colorado, “The Final Experiment” aims to prove or disprove the flat earth theory by observing the sun’s behavior at the South Pole during the Antarctic summer. On a globe Earth, there should be 24 hours of continuous daylight. On a flat Earth model, this phenomenon shouldn’t occur.
For years, flat Earth proponents have claimed Antarctica holds the key to proving their theory. Many assert it’s not a continent, but an ice wall surrounding a flat plane. They’ve long called for independent exploration of Antarctica to verify their claims.
This trip could definitively settle the debate by providing clear evidence of either 24-hour daylight or normal day/night cycles in Antarctica. If 24-hour sunlight is observed, it would be impossible to reconcile with flat Earth models.
Flat Earthers are currently scrambling to avoid going on a trip that will Discredit all of their models
Flat Earthers are currently scrambling to avoid going on a trip that will disprove their theories.
A group of flat earth believers are desperately trying to back out of a free trip to Antarctica that would definitively prove the earth is not flat.
The trip, dubbed “The Final Experiment,” was organized by Will Duffy. Duffy offered to fully fund a December expedition to Antarctica for both flat earthers and globe earth proponents to observe whether there is 24-hour sunlight at the South Pole during the southern summer solstice – a phenomenon that only occurs on a spherical earth.
Initially, prominent flat earth advocates like Dave Weiss, Jeran Campanella, and Eric Dubay expressed enthusiasm about going to Antarctica to “prove” their beliefs. However, as the trip has become a reality, they’ve begun making excuses to avoid participating.
Dave Weiss claimed he doesn’t trust the organizers, calling them “demons and liars.” Jeran Campanella demanded an exorbitant $45,000 budget for expenses. Eric Dubay stated he “already knows the earth is flat” and doesn’t need to go. Others have concocted elaborate conspiracy theories about NASA faking the 24-hour Antarctic sun.
Meanwhile, globe earth proponents have eagerly signed up for the trip, including several YouTube debunkers who have offered to publicly admit they were wrong if the sun sets during their stay.
The refusal of flat earthers to participate in this simple observational experiment that could prove their beliefs has been met with mockery online. Critics say it demonstrates flat earthers aren’t actually interested in evidence, but rather in maintaining their worldview at all costs.
As the December trip approaches, it remains to be seen if any prominent flat earth believers will find the courage to put their convictions to the test.
But Even If they agree, there’s no guarantee they will accept the outcome of the experiment
National Geographic conducted an experiment at California’s Salton Sea several years ago that had Flat Earth believers initially excited, only to end up disproving their theory – a result they then attempted to dismiss as a “camera thing.”
The experiment, designed to demonstrate the curvature of the Earth, involved sending a boat with horizontal stripes on its side out onto the lake. As the boat moved farther away, observers on shore watched as the lower stripes gradually disappeared from view, consistent with the Earth’s curved surface.
Flat Earth proponent Mark Sargent and other believers were present to witness the test. Initially enthusiastic about the experiment, they became dismissive when the results clearly showed the curvature of the Earth.
The test was based on a method used by Aristotle over 2,000 years ago to prove the Earth’s spherical shape. As the boat approached the horizon, it appeared to slowly dip down into the water before disappearing completely – a phenomenon only possible due to the planet’s curvature.
Despite the clear visual evidence, Sargent and his fellow Flat Earthers refused to accept the results. They claimed the disappearing stripes were merely a “camera thing” rather than proof of the Earth’s curved surface.
This experiment highlights the growing challenge posed by the Flat Earth movement, which continues to gain traction despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. A survey found that approximately 2% of Americans – over 6.5 million people – believe the Earth is flat.
Experts warn that the spread of such beliefs could have serious implications for scientific funding and public trust in empirical research.
The National Geographic experiment serves as a stark reminder of the persistence of Flat Earth beliefs in the face of direct evidence, undermining confidence in the Antarctic experiment.
What Happens next?
The flat Earth theory, despite its lack of scientific merit and overwhelming evidence against it, continues to draw attention from a vocal minority. Figures like Eddie Bravo, Kron Gracie, and Bryce Mitchell have embraced these unconventional beliefs, each offering their own perspectives on the subject. However, as seen in past experiments, including the recent National Geographic test, believers often reject or dismiss clear evidence that contradicts their views.
As the “Final Experiment” trip to Antarctica approaches, it represents a pivotal moment for both flat Earth believers and skeptics. Yet, history suggests that even undeniable proof, such as observing 24-hour daylight at the South Pole, may not sway those entrenched in their beliefs. The persistence of these theories underscores the power of confirmation bias and the human tendency to hold on to familiar worldviews, even in the face of undeniable facts.