Forget Flat Earthers, All People Now Believe the Earth is Best Shaped Like a Donut
In recent years, the “Flat Earth” theory has enjoyed a bizarre revival, captivating the imaginations of conspiracy theorists and internet communities. But as the world continues to explore new frontiers of strange and fringe theories, an even more outlandish idea is gaining traction: that Earth is not flat, but rather shaped like a donut—a torus, to be more precise.
While the notion may sound like an absurd exaggeration, proponents of this new theory claim that it offers a more coherent explanation of some of the universe’s greatest mysteries. They argue that the traditional spherical model of the Earth is a myth perpetuated by mainstream science and that a toroidal Earth could better explain anomalies in gravitational forces, the nature of our planet’s magnetic field, and even certain unexplained astronomical phenomena.
What is a Toroidal Earth?
In geometry, a torus is a donut-shaped object, similar to a ring or inner tube. It has a hole in the middle, unlike the perfect sphere that scientists and educators have long held as the model for Earth’s shape.
Proponents of the Toroidal Earth theory suggest that our planet has a similar structure, with a central hole that might not be visible to the naked eye. This concept is rooted in the belief that the Earth’s magnetic field could be emanating from this central “void,” and that this unusual configuration could explain the force fields, gravity anomalies, and even certain aspects of space-time.
But why, after centuries of scientific proof, would anyone believe that the Earth is shaped like a donut?
The Rise of the Toroidal Earth Theory
The theory has recently gained some popularity online, especially in certain conspiracy and alternative science circles. Much like the flat Earth theory, it has found a home on social media platforms, with videos, memes, and even podcasts discussing the supposed evidence for a toroidal Earth. While it remains far from mainstream scientific thought, it has attracted a growing community of supporters who cite a combination of perceived “anomalies” and speculative physics as evidence for their claims.
The idea isn’t entirely new. The concept of a toroidal Earth has roots in ancient cultures that believed the Earth to be hollow or ring-shaped. Some thinkers even proposed that the Earth was toroidal as early as the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the rise of internet forums that the idea began to see a resurgence.
“Evidence” for the Toroidal Earth Theory
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Magnetic Field Anomalies: One of the central arguments put forth by Toroidal Earth theorists is that Earth’s magnetic field doesn’t follow the pattern expected from a spherical object. Earth’s magnetic poles are often shifting, and the theory suggests that this is evidence of a larger, more complex magnetic system powered by a toroidal structure, where magnetic energy is generated from within a central void.
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The Van Allen Belts: The Van Allen radiation belts, discovered in the 1950s, are bands of charged particles held in place by Earth’s magnetic field. Some proponents argue that the radiation belts could be explained more naturally by a donut-shaped Earth. According to this idea, the belts would be a result of the Earth’s unique field, which might be distorted by a central hole or “donut hole.”
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Unusual Gravitational Behavior: Advocates of the theory claim that certain gravitational anomalies, such as the slight variations in gravity that can be observed in different parts of the world, might be better explained by a toroidal Earth. They suggest that the gravitational pull around the “hole” in the center would differ from the traditional gravitational expectations on a spherical Earth.
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Space Travel and Observation: Some theorists argue that space missions, particularly those related to satellites and the International Space Station (ISS), could provide clues to the shape of Earth. They speculate that images showing the curvature of the Earth might not represent a full spherical shape, but rather the curvature of a toroidal object that is difficult to perceive in a 2D image.
Criticism from the Scientific Community
Mainstream scientists and physicists, of course, dismiss the Toroidal Earth theory. The overwhelming body of evidence supporting the Earth’s spherical shape—ranging from satellite imagery to the physics of gravity and orbital mechanics—remains irrefutable. The gravity anomalies, Van Allen belts, and magnetic fields all align perfectly with what we expect from a spherical Earth.
The critics also point out the lack of any solid, repeatable experiments or empirical evidence to support the idea of a toroidal Earth. While some of the claims made by proponents are based on speculation and misinterpretations of existing data, there is no physical evidence to suggest that Earth could be anything other than an oblate spheroid (slightly flattened at the poles).
Furthermore, astronauts who have traveled into space consistently report seeing a round Earth from above, providing direct visual evidence of our planet’s shape. The behavior of satellites orbiting the Earth also follows perfectly predictable paths based on the Earth’s spherical shape, which would not be the case if the planet were shaped like a donut.
The Cultural Impact and the Internet’s Role
Like many fringe theories, the Toroidal Earth idea reflects a broader trend where science is sometimes seen as a battleground for competing ideologies. The internet, with its vast network of forums, blogs, and social media platforms, has allowed these ideas to flourish in ways they could not have in the past.
The rise of the Toroidal Earth theory also taps into the fascination with questioning established narratives and the allure of “hidden knowledge.” Many people who embrace alternative theories are often driven by a desire to challenge authority or seek out explanations that seem to be ignored or dismissed by mainstream science.
While the Toroidal Earth theory is unlikely to replace the spherical Earth model anytime soon, it highlights the ways in which new ideas, however unconventional, can capture public interest and fuel debates about the nature of our world.
Conclusion: A Donut-Shaped Future?
While there’s no scientific evidence to support the notion that Earth is shaped like a donut, the rise of the Toroidal Earth theory shows just how far the imagination can stretch in the quest to understand the universe. In the age of the internet, alternative theories—no matter how outlandish—can spread quickly, reaching communities that are eager to engage with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom.
For now, the scientific consensus remains firmly in favor of the Earth as a nearly spherical object. But whether it’s the resurgence of the flat Earth theory or the odd appeal of a toroidal Earth, one thing is clear: the conversation about the true shape of our planet is far from over, and the internet is sure to continue playing a role in fueling these discussions.
