Mick West

Date: 2017-05-10 | Duration: 2h 5m

Episode Overview

Mick West, a prominent skeptic and founder of Metabunk, joins the conversation to dissect the persistence of flat Earth beliefs and other conspiracy theories. He explains how flat Earthers often distrust photographic evidence and satellites, despite overwhelming scientific data confirming Earth’s roundness. West shares insights into common flat Earth claims, such as the supposed Antarctic ice wall and the nature of gravity, debunking them with practical experiments and observations like horizon curvature and star constellations. He emphasizes the role of confirmation bias and community reinforcement in sustaining these beliefs, noting how online echo chambers amplify misinformation. The discussion also explores the psychological and social factors driving conspiracy thinking. West reflects on how distrust in institutions and the allure of secret knowledge motivate people to embrace alternative realities. He recounts personal experiences engaging with believers, highlighting the challenge of encouraging critical thinking without alienation. Beyond flat Earth, the episode touches on other fringe topics like UFOs, Bigfoot, and chemtrails, with West sharing stories of how initial fascination can evolve into obsession, sometimes impacting real lives. Throughout, West advocates for respectful dialogue and evidence-based inquiry as tools to counter misinformation in an increasingly complex information landscape.

About Mick West

Mick West is a seasoned game programmer, writer, and prominent debunker known for his analytical approach to conspiracy theories and pseudoscience. He is the founder of MetaBunk.org, a platform dedicated to debunking myths and misinformation, and ContrailScience.com, which explores the science behind contrails and chemtrails. West gained notable recognition for his expertise in critical thinking and skepticism, particularly after appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience, where he discussed the importance of evidence-based reasoning in the face of widespread misinformation. With a passion for promoting scientific literacy, Mick West continues to engage audiences through his writings and online presence, making him a vital voice in the fight against unsubstantiated claims.

Key Moments

– Flat Earth Theory
– Satellite Imagery
– Conspiracy Theories
– Scientific Debunking
– Astronomy
– Physics Experiments
– Cognitive Bias
– UFO Phenomena
– Virtual Reality
– Climate and Weather
– Historical Science Discoveries
– Human Perception
– Space Exploration
– Geocentrism
– Social Media Influence
– Psychology of Belief
– Optical Illusions
– Aerospace Regulations
– Artificial Realities
– Debate Techniques
0:00:00 – Introduction and Round Earth Shill T-Shirts
0:03:04 – Discussion of Antarctica's Ice Wall Claims
0:05:26 – Weather Satellite Photos Matching Real Conditions
0:06:07 – Professional Pool Players Who Believe Flat Earth
0:08:18 – Observations of Ships Disappearing Over Horizon
0:09:10 – Applying Kepler's Laws to Satellite Orbits
0:11:14 – Historical Understanding of Earth's Shape
0:13:08 – Flat Earthers' Belief That Satellites Are Fake
0:14:42 – The Luminiferous Ether Experiment Explained
0:16:11 – Geocentrism vs Flat Earth Beliefs
0:17:20 – Origins of MetaBunk and Flat Earth Research
0:20:03 – Religious and Cultural Roots of Conspiracy Theories
0:22:32 – Debunking Roswell Rods with High-Speed Camera Footage
0:26:17 – Debunking Viral Flat Earth Videos
0:29:05 – Patterns in Belief of Outlandish Theories
0:33:49 – Flight Routes and Evidence Against Flat Earth
0:35:40 – Verifying Star Maps Across Different Locations
0:38:07 – Capturing Space Junk and Satellite Tracking
0:41:11 – Importance of Personal Observation in Science
0:44:12 – Testing Horizon Claims with Carpenter's Level
0:48:10 – Visibility Limits of Distant Islands Explained
0:53:35 – Skepticism About Bigfoot and Similar Phenomena
0:57:01 – UFO Beliefs and Desire for Truth
1:00:42 – Solar Eclipse as a Scientific Phenomenon
1:03:33 – Range of Beliefs Among Flat Earth Followers
1:05:05 – Philosophical Ideas on Reality and Illusion
1:08:39 – Early Virtual Reality Experiences
1:12:27 – Thought Experiments on Physics and Reality
1:14:39 – Profile of a UFO Enthusiast's Journey
1:16:01 – Conducting Simple Experiments on Planes
1:19:08 – Historical Government Deceptions Discussed
1:23:49 – Zero Gravity Filming Techniques in Movies
1:27:29 – Observing Constellations from Different Hemispheres
1:31:59 – Flat Earthers' Rejection of Gravity Explained
1:36:51 – Sun Illumination and Earth's Rotation Explained
1:38:38 – ETOPS Regulations and Flight Safety
1:43:12 – Challenges in Diagnosing Lyme Disease
1:45:14 – Balloon Remains and Conspiracy Theories
1:51:50 – Visual Effects of Distance on Roads and Buildings
1:57:33 – Circumnavigation as Proof of Globe Earth

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 And we're live ladies and gentlemen. We're live sporting the latest round earth shill. We're just coming out with it. Round earth shill t-shirts. Both Jamie and I get $3 per month from the federal government to tell you that the world is round. Starting point is 00:00:53 Trends and Starting point is 00:01:22 They actually believe it yes Starting point is 00:01:49 Yeah, I think that type of person Starting point is 00:02:05 because they're so infuriating to the average person that they're just going to be, what Starting point is 00:02:32 Let me find his, because I saved it. Starting point is 00:03:04 single photo of this fucking ice wall that's supposed to be around Antarctica. Starting point is 00:03:25 that there's a fucking saddle is a bunch of satellites but there's one from Japan Starting point is 00:03:50 And the Russians, the Russians have a satellite. Starting point is 00:04:02 It's not as good as the other ones. Starting point is 00:04:32 Then you could like find a friend somewhere else Starting point is 00:04:45 photos are fake they look fake i'm like but how would you know what a real photo of earth from Starting point is 00:05:26 and it all matches up exactly with what the weather is around the world. Starting point is 00:05:55 Really? Professional pool players? Starting point is 00:06:07 Thinks the world's flat. Starting point is 00:06:24 If you talk to them, you'd be like, this is a reasonable Starting point is 00:06:40 It is and there's so Starting point is 00:07:18 spin i mean you you can tell that they're round there's a lot of flat earthers have the same camera that I've got, Starting point is 00:07:36 It's not like a SLR or anything. Starting point is 00:08:02 sun. Starting point is 00:08:18 like ships going beyond the horizon. Starting point is 00:08:47 And they move around, they've got orbits of like, some of them I think are 80 hours or something, Starting point is 00:09:10 Using Kepler's laws of planetary motion Start...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #959?

Mick West was the guest on JRE #959. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #959?

On Joe Rogan Experience #959 with Mick West, topics include Flat Earth Theory, Satellite Imagery, Conspiracy Theories, and Scientific Debunking.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #959?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #959 with Mick West is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.