The Shape of Belief by Jasmine

The Shape of Belief by Jasmine - October 2026 Scholarship Essay

For my final AICE Thinking Skills assignment a year ago, the prompt was, "Explain, under 1500 words as to why the Flat Earth Theory is real." I reread it three times, hoping I misread it. I didn't. I immediately pulled out my laptop to find any credible evidence, but every source denied the claim. Then, I stumbled upon theflatearthsociety.org, a website completely filled with hundreds of forums regarding the subject. But amongst them all, there was one thread that caught my eye from a user named Dionysios who stated that the flat earth theory was real. Multiple replies came afterwards justifying his belief. They never mocked him nor ostracized him. My assignment then transitioned into not just how, but why they believed it. As I thought more about that question, the more I needed to know the answer.
For starters, Flat Earthers constantly used scriptures stating that the earth is circular, sitting on pillars, unmoving. Yet, they weren't misreading these scriptures, they were reading them literally. A fixed earth with an enclosed dome is comforting. Compared to an infinite void of billions of galaxies, you feel small, alone, and like nothing you do matters.
Next, Flat Earthers would use the curvature formula to justify their claims. The problem was that it only holds up for short distances and measures the drop instead of what you should see. Yet, they still applied it, got their number, and looked at a horizon that didn't match to conclude that the Earth is flat. But that feeling of being the one who checked the math makes you feel smart and special. Like you're part of a small group who sees what others can't.
Finally, Flat Earthers saw the lack of a curve in the distance and used that as evidence for their beliefs. They aren't lying as the horizon does look flat from the ground. But, the human eye isn't built to see a curve that gradual. But their logic is that if they can't see it, it isn't there. That's when I understood it wasn't about the visual but the need to gain that sense of security that they aren't being lied to.
My essay ended at 3,000 words. I didn't mean to write that much, I just kept finding more. I turned it in late, got a C, but I would take it again. Throughout this research process, I learned that the people who believe in the Flat Earth theory are not ignorant. They are just questioning the world like anyone else, looking for something to hold onto.