Mechanik said: Awesome experiment, @Mick. Beautiful and easily understood analog that can be replicated by anyone with minimal equipment.



The communication part is going to be tricky. Putting on my tinfoil hat, my first response is “What does sugar water have to do with atmospheric refraction?” Is there some (indisputable) math that can equate atmospheric density to liquid density over distance? Perhaps some added math to your refraction calculator that lets you swap air for water? I’m sure the math exists, but this is well beyond my expertise.



Just trying to red-blue team the argument. As a recreational sailor who has navigated beyond the horizon using nothing but a compass and a map, I’m baffled that there is a flat earth controversy. If any of these flat earth folks had tried to sail to an island that was not visible from shore, I’m sure many of them would be converted. None of them can imagine the relief one feels when the expected peak first shows over the horizon. Click to expand...

My first post and I thought I would comment, here. I'm a Boomer. My education is somewhat typical of others in my demographic, high school and post graduate University. I was brought up asking questions and looking for answers. Opinions are fine but consider the source and qualify those opinions. I grew up using the library to get answers. As a sojourner in many regards can you imagine the freedom to know anything without a trip to the local library?Unfortunately, the freedom gain from Google has a troubling cost that has not affected those who ponder like myself. I ask questions but I don't fear the requirements to gain answers. And, that is the real challenge set before us. How do we affect those, our children and grandchildren who would ask the question but would rather seek anecdotal opinions from a friend or what not. They have neither the skills nor the desire to query Google nor do they have even the basic understanding of cause and effect. Sadly, it is their expectations that everything be hand to them on a platter that they care little to educate or challenge their mindset.A friend reminds me frequently that today's "yutes" can not conjugate a verb. I ask my two grandsons whom I'm raising what is language arts and they can't give me an answer. This entire generation is so passive that their future will be bankrupt of most financial well being expecting to be entertained to never stretch their imaginations or their experiences. If it is not found on their smartphone or YouTube then it is neither valid nor worthwhile.So, I am very grateful for stumbling across this website. I am certain those seeking knowledge will benefit from the content published here as much of the content is for those who are not Phd's. For this I am very grateful.So, how will you reach young minds (or even old ones like mine?) Honestly, I don't know. I fear entire generations lost to ignorance and laziness. Finding ways to communicate scientific ideas to those heads filled with mush is only half the problem. Getting them to develop an inquisitive mind is the other half of the problem.I know I'll be visiting more often and perhaps with your direction, I can challenged myself to delve into the question my grandson just asked concerning the validity of the flat-earth controversy. I have only started looking for simple ways to explain a global viewpoint and invalidate a flat-earth philosophy.Thx