Flat Earthers may be driven more by loneliness than ignorance, according to new research conducted for a musical exploring the phenomenon. The show, The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth, premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe, and its creators say their findings challenge common assumptions about conspiracy theorists.
Research Behind the Musical
Alex Moneypenny and Adam Tuffrey spent months researching the Flat Earth community after being struck by the sadness in the 2018 documentary Behind the Curve. They discovered that many believers joined the movement following major life upheavals, such as relationship breakdowns, and found in it a sense of belonging they lacked elsewhere.
“We found patterns that pointed to grief and loneliness,” Moneypenny said. “It was a near-perfect window onto the human need to belong.” The pair’s research included trawling Reddit forums, where the Flat Earth community draws more than 70,000 weekly visitors, and watching debates that showed believers digging in deeper when proven wrong.
Statistics on Belief and Isolation
A 2018 YouGov survey found that only 84% of US adults believed the Earth is round, with the figure dropping to 66% among millennials. Moneypenny noted that despite the junk science, key figures like Mark Sargent come across as charismatic, which helps explain their appeal.
The research also uncovered personal stories, including a mother who began homeschooling her daughter with Flat Earth children’s books, and forum posts hinting at relationship strain. “We saw so many moments of sadness between the diagrams and arguments,” Moneypenny said.
From Research to Stage
The musical follows Sharon Hargreaves, a 40-something recent convert, on a mission to settle the question herself. The creators intentionally avoided mocking believers, aiming instead to understand why they believe and to acknowledge their humanity.
“When things feel uncertain, it’s human nature to seek certainty and community,” Moneypenny explained. The show steers clear of more dangerous conspiracies, focusing on Flat Earth as a relatively harmless example of a deeper human need.
The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth runs at Pleasance Dome from 5th to 30th August, with performances at 2:05pm.
