Flat earth and space juice

“Nobody can prove we landed on the moon – it could have been a movie set. They had those back then, you know.” [Image](https://) Greetings Everyday Spy, My 4th of July celebration a few years ago with new friends in Maine turned into an awkward conspiracy conversation just after lunch. To be fair, the conversation wasn’t with me – it was between my son, Sina (8 years old at the time) and our friend’s son (12 years old). The two boys are both homeschooled, both kind and polite, and both exceptional readers with awesome imaginations. I was sitting with the two boys when Sina said that he was excited about our next big trip overseas. His friend told us to be careful that we don’t fall off the edge of the Earth. Sina and I both laughed, thinking it was a joke… but the boy’s face showed us he was quite serious. “Because the Earth is flat, you know. Some people think it’s round, but they’ve never proven that. And if it were round, people would be standing upside down on the other side of the planet.” My first thought was that the boy had his science mixed up – maybe he hadn’t started studying gravity yet in his home school studies. But Sina spoke faster than I did – and without a sense of social courtesy. “The Earth is round, dude,” he said. “Don’t you know that?” “The Earth is flat – you can’t prove it’s round,” the boy responded matter-of-factly. “And it's impossible to go into space because space is a liquid.” My son knew his friend was older than he by 4 years, but didn’t realize his friend was being serious. He laughed out loud again saying, “You’re crazy! Space is a vacuum, and we already had people visit the moon and travel around space, and we want to go to Mars!” “Nobody can prove we landed on the moon – it could have been a movie set. They had those back then, you know.” That was when it dawned on me our new friends were a family of conspiracy theorists. Or rather, the man-of-the-house was the conspiracy type and this boy was his parrot… I gave Sina a short squeeze on the left shoulder (our signal to, ‘let me take over – something may be dangerous’). I backed us out of the conversation by saying that the boy was asking good questions, and that proof was very important in science. Then I steered both boys into playing with Matchbox cars while I told my wife that it was time for us to get home, so the kids could recharge. 8 minutes later, we were saying cordial goodbyes and headed back to our summer rental home. Sina asked why his friend didn’t understand space, gravity, and the shape of the Earth. And I told him that he was learning from his dad, who may not have learned correctly when he was a kid. And for now, that answer was good enough for Sina… for now. [When you find yourself face-to-face with people who have strong beliefs contrary to your own, never challenge their opinions directly.]( If you do, you will trigger a cognitive defense mechanism that makes them dig deeper into their beliefs. While conflict and debate may be something you enjoy… That enjoyment rarely extends to others who will likely see your questions as accusations, judgement, and aggression. Instead, use the new information as a data point to help shape the way you engage that person in the future. Show your interest in their point-of-view, ask non-threatening questions, and put yourself in intel-gathering mode rather than teacher/fixer-mode. When you do, you will be better able to determine if what you are seeing is dangerous ideology, or simply innocent ignorance. And you will have every advantage over them in case they prove to be more of the first than the second. Godspeed, #EverydaySpy P.S. - [Beat conspiracy theories, media lies, and more with the same training every pro intel analyst gets with the Analyst Action Kit.]( Follow @EverydaySpy on Social Media! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Andrew Bustamante, Founder of EverydaySpy.com, is a former covert CIA Intelligence officer, decorated US Air Force Combat Veteran, and respected Fortune 500 senior advisor. Learn more from Andrew on his Podcast (The Everyday Espionage Podcast) and by following @EverydaySpy on your favorite social media platform. This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Don't want to receive these emails anymore? [Unsubscribe]( EverydaySpy, 411 Walnut St. #20309, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043