That’s actually exactly how it started. 4chan started memeing about flat earth, pretending to take it seriously. But then the idiots found it, and Poe’s Law fused with the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

The idiots couldn’t tell it was sarcasm, and thought it was serious. Simultaneously, they thought they had stumbled into a huge conspiracy. So then the flat earth stuff took on a life of its own, and the conspiracy became self-sustaining as idiots began a positive feedback loop.

At that point, 4chan took a step back to watch, and just sort of let go of the reins. Because at a certain point, reality is more funny than any memes you can come up with, and this was the peak of entertainment for the people who started it as a joke. Seeing their joke take on a life of its own was better than anything they could have imagined.

It’s like the first kid who came up with the “Marilyn Manson had ribs removed so he could suck his own dick” lie, hearing it from someone from another school for the first time; The excitement would be unparalleled, as they realize just how large the joke has become.

[–] Hobo@lemmy.world 21 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Damn 4chan existed in 1956 when the Flat Earth Society was started? Is there anything 4channers won't try to take credit for?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_flat_Earth_beliefs#Flat_Earth_Society

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth

[–] unique_hemp@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I mean, it could still have been responsible for popularising it.

[–] Hobo@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Sure as well as every other social media platform since the inception of the internet. I remember seeing Flat Earth insanity on myspace, digg, and even fark. But no one runs around and claims flat earth was popularized on those sites. What they're saying above isn't based in reality unless you're willing to say the same about every single social media platform.

[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world -1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Yup. Dah wha happen right tare.

Sure, idjuts have always existed, but now they can meet and be idjuts 2gedder onnuh innuh net.

We yoose to say, “shuttup idjit, go back in ur howse and be dum.”

Now they go innuh house and be dum wit millions all dum 2gedder, 4ever, on 4uhms.

Edit:

Ack chuhlee, it’s on 😐book payjuhz and groops.

Edit 2: I miss spelled werds.

[–] volvoxvsmarla@lemm.ee 11 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I clicked on the hyperlink with great anticipation to find a link to the Wikipedia page for Poe's Law, the Dunning-Kruger effect, the history of the flat earth conspiracy, or an article about it. Didn't expect what I got but I can't say I was disappointed.

[–] needthosepylons@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

I'm in the same bot and I couldn't have put it better!

[–] words_number@programming.dev 4 points 10 months ago

I love this story and I want to believe it's true, but I can't. It's just not plausible that an ancient religious myth like the flat earth wasn't already a conspiracy theory before 4chan.

[–] EvolvedTurtle@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Hell didn't 4chan start the whole Covid vaccine are putting trackers in and such

[–] KrapKake@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Haha, I kind of figured it started at 4chan. I think the whole "microwaving phones" originated from there as well.

[–] fox2263@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Isn’t that how Qanon happened too?

People would post ridiculous theories and see if anyone believed it. Sadly they did.