[pklausler]

I love that there's a Flat Earth Society of Australia and I wonder whether they think they're on top or below the disk.

In short, we have a crisis of epistemology in our culture, and facts (empirical, repeatable, independent measurements) don't win arguments any more.

[Grishnakh]

Yes, and that's why western (or at least American) civilization is likely doomed to being eclipsed by the Chinese before too long. Irrationality like that just isn't compatible with being a leading, technological society.

[winfred]

What makes you think the Chinese aren't equally irrational?

[Grishnakh]

Because I don't see a Creationism Museum or a bunch of megachurches over there, or a bunch of loony conspiracy theorists, flat-earthers, moon-landing-deniers, etc.