Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything

Kelly Weill traces the history of the modern Flat Earth movement from its nineteenth-century roots in the teachings of Samuel Rowbotham to its current manifestation on social media platforms. The narrative follows the evolution of zetetic astronomy, a framework that prioritizes individual sensory observation over scientific consensus, and shows how these ideas regained momentum through YouTube algorithms. Weill examines the internal politics of the community, detailing how belief in a planar world often acts as an entry point for broader, more aggressive conspiracy theories regarding government control and globalist agendas.

This book serves readers interested in the mechanics of misinformation and the sociological factors that drive individuals into fringe subcultures. It appeals to those studying communication, political science, or digital culture. The reader gains an understanding of the psychological vulnerabilities that make certain narratives attractive and how digital architecture accelerates the spread of distrust. By the end, the audience learns how to identify the rhetorical patterns used by conspiracy theorists and the challenges involved in deradicalizing those who have fully committed to an alternative reality.