The horizon always appears to be at eye level

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 138 views

The Little Old Lady's Perspective on the Earth's Shape: A Discussion on Geocentrism and the Flat Earth Theory

The concept of the Earth's shape has been a topic of debate for centuries, with various theories emerging over time. In this article, we will explore the perspectives of a little old lady who believes that the Earth is either a sphere, a flat plate, or a giant tortoise. We will delve into the history of geocentrism and the flat Earth theory, examining the arguments and evidence presented by proponents of each theory.

The little old lady in question is a staunch believer in the flat Earth theory. She is convinced that the Earth is a flat plate, with the North Pole at the center and the South Pole at the edge. According to her, the Earth is surrounded by a wall of ice, which prevents people from falling off the edge. She also believes that the Sun and the Moon are much smaller than they appear to be, and that they are only a few hundred miles away from the Earth.

The flat Earth theory has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Babylonians. The theory was popularized in the 19th century by writers such as Samuel Rowbotham, who argued that the Earth was a flat disc surrounded by a wall of ice. Proponents of the flat Earth theory point to several "facts" that they claim support their theory, including:

The horizon always appears to be at eye level: Flat Earthers argue that if the Earth were truly round, the horizon would appear to be below eye level due to the curvature of the Earth.
The lack of visible curvature: Flat Earthers argue that if the Earth were truly round, we should be able to see the curvature of the Earth with the naked eye.
The existence of the firmament: Flat Earthers believe that the firmament, a solid dome above the Earth, is evidence of the flat Earth theory.

The geocentric model, on the other hand, posits that the Earth is at the center of the universe, with the Sun, Moon, and stars revolving around it. This model was widely accepted in ancient times, but was eventually disproven by the work of astronomers such as Copernicus and Galileo.

The giant tortoise theory is a more recent development, and is not as widely accepted as the flat Earth theory or the geocentric model. According to this theory, the Earth is supported by a giant tortoise, which is said to be so large that it is invisible to the naked eye. Proponents of this theory argue that the tortoise is able to support the weight of the Earth due to its immense size and strength.

While the flat Earth theory has its adherents, there are several arguments against it that are worth considering:

The existence of ships disappearing over the horizon: If the Earth were truly flat, ships would not disappear over the horizon as they do. Instead, they would appear to sink slowly into the water as they traveled further away from the observer.
The existence of time zones: If the Earth were truly flat, there would be no need for time zones. However, the existence of time zones is evidence that the Earth is indeed rotating on its axis.
The existence of satellite imagery: Satellite imagery provides clear evidence of the Earth's round shape, with images of the curvature of the Earth visible from space.

While the geocentric model was widely accepted in ancient times, there are several arguments against it that are worth considering:

The existence of the planets: The geocentric model cannot explain the existence of the planets, which are clearly visible in the night sky.
The existence of the stars: The geocentric model cannot explain the existence of the stars, which are clearly visible in the night sky.
The existence of the Sun's shadow: The geocentric model cannot explain the existence of the Sun's shadow, which is clearly visible during a solar eclipse.

While the giant tortoise theory is an interesting idea, there are several arguments against it that are worth considering:

The lack of evidence: There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of a giant tortoise that is able to support the weight of the Earth.
The impossibility of a giant tortoise: It is impossible for a tortoise, no matter how large, to support the weight of the Earth.
The existence of the laws of physics: The laws of physics, such as gravity and motion, cannot be explained by the giant tortoise theory.

In conclusion, the little old lady's perspective on the Earth's shape is a fascinating example of the diversity of human thought and experience. While the flat Earth theory, the geocentric model, and the giant tortoise theory may seem like outlandish ideas, they are all based on a deep-seated desire to understand the world around us. As we continue to explore the universe and learn more about the Earth and its place in the cosmos, we may find that our understanding of the world is constantly evolving and changing.

Rowbotham, S. (1849). Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe.
Copernicus, N. (1543). De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
Galileo, G. (1632). Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems.
Newton, I. (1687). Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.

The Flat Earth Theory: A comprehensive overview of the flat Earth theory, including its history, arguments, and evidence.
The Geocentric Model: A comprehensive overview of the geocentric model, including its history, arguments, and evidence.
The Giant Tortoise Theory: A comprehensive overview of the giant tortoise theory, including its history, arguments, and evidence.
The History of Astronomy: A comprehensive overview of the history of astronomy, including the development of the geocentric model and the discovery of the heliocentric model.
Q&A: The Little Old Lady's Perspective on the Earth's Shape

In our previous article, we explored the perspectives of a little old lady who believes that the Earth is either a sphere, a flat plate, or a giant tortoise. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the little old lady's perspective on the Earth's shape.

A: The little old lady's reasoning for believing in the flat Earth theory is based on her interpretation of the Bible and her observations of the world around her. She believes that the Earth is a flat plate, with the North Pole at the center and the South Pole at the edge. According to her, the Earth is surrounded by a wall of ice, which prevents people from falling off the edge.

A: The little old lady uses several pieces of evidence to support her flat Earth theory, including:

The horizon always appears to be at eye level: She argues that if the Earth were truly round, the horizon would appear to be below eye level due to the curvature of the Earth.
The lack of visible curvature: She argues that if the Earth were truly round, we should be able to see the curvature of the Earth with the naked eye.
The existence of the firmament: She believes that the firmament, a solid dome above the Earth, is evidence of the flat Earth theory.

A: Some of the arguments against the flat Earth theory include:

The existence of ships disappearing over the horizon: If the Earth were truly flat, ships would not disappear over the horizon as they do. Instead, they would appear to sink slowly into the water as they traveled further away from the observer.
The existence of time zones: If the Earth were truly flat, there would be no need for time zones. However, the existence of time zones is evidence that the Earth is indeed rotating on its axis.
The existence of satellite imagery: Satellite imagery provides clear evidence of the Earth's round shape, with images of the curvature of the Earth visible from space.

A: The geocentric model is an ancient theory that posits that the Earth is at the center of the universe, with the Sun, Moon, and stars revolving around it. This model differs from the flat Earth theory in that it does not propose a flat Earth, but rather a spherical Earth at the center of the universe.

A: Some of the arguments against the geocentric model include:

The existence of the planets: The geocentric model cannot explain the existence of the planets, which are clearly visible in the night sky.
The existence of the stars: The geocentric model cannot explain the existence of the stars, which are clearly visible in the night sky.
The existence of the Sun's shadow: The geocentric model cannot explain the existence of the Sun's shadow, which is clearly visible during a solar eclipse.

A: The giant tortoise theory is a more recent development, and is not as widely accepted as the flat Earth theory or the geocentric model. According to this theory, the Earth is supported by a giant tortoise, which is said to be so large that it is invisible to the naked eye. This theory differs from the flat Earth theory in that it proposes a spherical Earth supported by a giant tortoise, rather than a flat Earth.

A: Some of the arguments against the giant tortoise theory include:

The lack of evidence: There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of a giant tortoise that is able to support the weight of the Earth.
The impossibility of a giant tortoise: It is impossible for a tortoise, no matter how large, to support the weight of the Earth.
The existence of the laws of physics: The laws of physics, such as gravity and motion, cannot be explained by the giant tortoise theory.

Rowbotham, S. (1849). Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe.
Copernicus, N. (1543). De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
Galileo, G. (1632). Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems.
Newton, I. (1687). Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.

The Flat Earth Theory: A comprehensive overview of the flat Earth theory, including its history, arguments, and evidence.
The Geocentric Model: A comprehensive overview of the geocentric model, including its history, arguments, and evidence.
The Giant Tortoise Theory: A comprehensive overview of the giant tortoise theory, including its history, arguments, and evidence.
The History of Astronomy: A comprehensive overview of the history of astronomy, including the development of the geocentric model and the discovery of the heliocentric model.