A group of people known as “Flat Earthers” actually believe that the Earth is flat, regardless of what science – or their eyes – tell them. They’ve grown so distrustful of science that they believe that planning and executing an expedition to Antarctica will help them prove that the Earth is indeed flat as they claim. These Flat Earthers believe that Antarctica is indeed where the world “ends.”

Apparently, they believe that by sailing around Antarctica, they can prove that the Earth is flat. According to Jay Decasby, a major supporter of the Flat Earth theory:

“All we have to do to shut this debate down once and for all is get the distance of the coast of Antarctica. … If we can get to the coast of Antarctica and sail all of the way around it, we will get the distance that will prove it’s the outer edges of flat earth and refuse entirely every single argument anyone can possibly try to pitch for the sun-worshipping cult of heliocentrism.”

According to the Flat Earth Society website, Antarctica’s ice shelves – an Ice Wall — are further proof that the Earth is flat because it stops explorers from going any further. The site states:

“…Along the edge of our local area exists a massive 150 foot Ice Wall… The Ice Wall is a massive wall of ice that surrounds Antarctica. The shelf of ice is several hundred meters thick.”

A variety of Flat Earthers have planned a number of expeditions to various places across the Earth – including a cruise — in an attempt to prove science wrong. While science has been wrong before, in this case, it’s been proven time and again that the Earth is indeed round. This is the reason for the globe used in education systems across the world.

Additionally, according to the report, “dozens” of scientific teams have made it across Antarctica since the very first on December 14, 1911. Another group matched the feat a month later. The most recent trek was made by Colin O’Brady, who famously crossed Antarctica in 54 days by himself. This left “proof” for both sides of the debate.

Although in the grand scheme of things, while dozens of teams have made the trek, and thousands have gone to Antarctica, very few humans have actually made it to the South Pole in Antarctica. It’s such a treacherous trek that many who have tried have died along the way.

One problem with their expedition is the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, which states that no single entity can take possession or lay claim to any part of Antarctica. While it may make an expedition difficult, it apparently bolsters the claim of the Flat Earthers that Antarctica is the edge of the Earth, proving the Earth to be flat.

This is because, according to the Flat Earthers, the treaty restricts the type and number of expeditions to the continent to explore the area, even though the treaty allows expeditions the “freedom of scientific investigation.”

As for the cruise, there’s one thing extremely awkward about it. The ship’s captain will be using a navigational system based on a round Earth. Every single navigational system works on the FACT that the Earth is round. Period. End of story. So, by embarking on the cruise, what are the Flat Earthers really proving?

Logan Paul, a YouTube Mockumentary star who is was filing a YouTube video at the Flat Earth International Conference in Denver, Colorado, talked to Robbie Davidson, and both believe the answer is yes.

Logan believes that, as a man of truth, he wants to explore the “facts.” For instance:

“…The fact that we haven’t been to the moon in over 50 years, the fact that the moon emits its own light. Some of the best scientists can’t explain gravity; Neil Degrasse [sic] Tyson, Bill Nye, in the end, do they even know? I want to explore for myself and keep an open mind. There is a stigma of being a flat-earther [sic]and if I’m going to do it I want to know the facts.”

Davidson, who is organizing the cruise, believes he has the facts already. While he’s not affiliated with the Flat Earth Society, believes that the Earth is more dome-shaped than flat, rather like a snow globe. He admits that no one is going to “fall off the edge.” Instead, he believes that squishing a dome more accurately represents what the Earth looks like and that this is the reason Antarctica is shaped the way it is at the bottom of the Earth.

The real question, especially given the treaty and the fact that their “evidence” all contradicts itself, is: Can Flat Earthers really be considered “scientific” enough to warrant an expedition to the Antarctic? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Have your tin foil hats at the ready.

Featured Image by NOAA via Flickr/CC-BY-2.0