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Comment by michaelbrooks | Hacker News Reader

It would be easier and safer if he just sent an air balloon strapped with a Go Pro up. He would get the footage he needs to prove his bogus claims are wrong and he would be safe on the ground.

You are right though, we need to understand how so many people still believe that the Earth is flat.

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I get the impression from reading the article that this guy doesn't himself believe in the flat earth theory but is using his "recent conversion" (which occurred long after he started his rocket experiments) to try to get funding from conspiracy theorists after his kickstarter failed.

People have done this of course, but you cannot convince a flat earther with GoPro footage because of the fisheye lens that will allow you to film the horizon curve either way, depending on the angle.

What you'd need is a wide angle rectilinear lens not normally found on light weight cameras.

He shouldn't expect much from 1800 feet tough in terms of seeing the curvature. It won't be pronounced. I think he just wants to fly.

Counterpoint: you can trivially correct for lens distortions by calibrating the camera on earth using far-away objects.

I agree that he's making claims in bad faith and just wants to fly.

"Hughes only recently converted to flat-Eartherism, after struggling for months to raise funds for his follow-up flight over the Mojave."

He isn't trying to prove the earth is flat. He just wants to ride a rocket. Everything else is oddball marketing to get some funds.

Is it so many people, though? Or is the onus on us for thinking it is?

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