WASHINGTON — If you’re wondering why on this totally flat disc of an Earth, we’re starting to see Flat Earthers everywhere—blame YouTube. <br /> <br />SOURCES: Guardian, BBC <br />https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/feb/17/study-blames-youtube-for-rise-in-number-of-flat-earthers <br />https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47279253 <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />He presented his findings at the annual Association for the Advancement of Science meeting. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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? <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />He also said there was a need for scientists and science advocates to make their own YouTube videos that have things like—facts!?
