Dom Joly’s Dive into the Flat Earth Theory: A Journey into Conspiracy Theories

Renowned comedian Dom Joly, popularly recognized for ‘Trigger Happy TV’, is embarking on an unconventional quest with a Flat Earther as he delves into the intriguing world of conspiracy theories for his upcoming book, ‘The Conspiracy Tourist’. Joly’s encounters with conspiracy theorists serve a dual purpose – to comprehend the mindset that fuels such beliefs and to explore the surge in conspiracy theories, a phenomenon he links to lockdown-induced ‘algorithm rabbit holes’.

From Amusement to Alarm: The Evolution of Conspiracy Theories

Joly observes a marked shift in the perception of conspiracy theories. Once a source of amusement, these theories are now viewed as potential threats, with the ability to influence public opinion and behaviour. Joly’s exploration led him to one of the most perplexing theories – the flat Earth theory. This theory posits that the Earth is not a sphere but a flat surface, with one of its ‘corners’ located in Newfoundland, on Fogo Island.

The ‘Edge of the Earth’: A Journey into the Flat Earth Theory

Keen to challenge the Flat Earther’s conviction, Joly initiated a road trip to the purported ‘edge of the Earth’. However, their journey ended not in a precipitous drop into the void, as the theory suggests, but in a regular landscape. Despite the glaring contradiction, the Flat Earther remained unswayed, even accusing Joly and a local fisherman of being paid by tech tycoon Bill Gates to deceive them. This incident was a stark demonstration of the tendency among conspiracy theorists to rationalize the failure of their theories.

Conspiracy Communities: A Glimpse into the Allure of Unorthodox Beliefs

Throughout his research, Joly interacted with conspiracy communities via an alternate Instagram account, gaining first-hand insights into the appeal of such beliefs. He theorizes that conspiracy theories offer psychological comfort during periods of chaos and uncertainty, providing patterns and reasons when real-life events seem random and disorderly. Joly’s exploration underscores the intractable nature of conspiratorial thinking and the formidable challenge in convincing those deeply invested in such beliefs.