In this episode of In Godfrey We Trust, host Godfrey delves deep into the flat Earth debate alongside a variety of guests, including Air Force veteran turned commercial airline pilot Calvin “Stiggy,” who offers firsthand evidence of the Earth’s spherical shape. The episode touches on science skepticism, space exploration, and the historical context that has influenced the debate over the planet’s shape.
Calvin “Stiggy,” a former Air Force Captain and current commercial airline pilot, takes center stage to provide insights into why the Earth is round. Drawing from his experience flying C-17 cargo planes and unmanned spy planes like the RQ-4 Global Hawk, Stiggy explains several key pieces of evidence, including:
- The positioning of the sun during flights
- The varying times of sunset across the globe
- The behavior of satellite orbits
- The Coriolis effect and its impact on atmospheric phenomena
- The observable curvature of Earth from high altitudes
The conversation transitions into a broader discussion about the intersection of science and religious faith. The guests compare the scientific method—which is subject to change with new evidence—with the constancy of religious beliefs, making the case that science evolves based on evidence while faith remains fixed. The Dunning-Kruger effect, or the phenomenon where individuals overestimate their understanding of complex topics, is also explored in the context of scientific debates.
Amidst the more serious scientific topics, the episode takes lighter turns. Guests share personal anecdotes about home repairs and car mechanics, bringing a sense of humor and relatability to the discussion. The conversation then shifts to Jamaican cuisine and culture, offering comedic commentary on the local food scene, before revisiting NASA’s history and past incidents in space exploration.
As the episode progresses, Professor Dave returns for a follow-up to his controversial appearance discussing flat Earth theories. The discussion turns to scientific skepticism, addressing common misconceptions and offering historical proof of Earth’s spherical shape. A key point in the conversation highlights how ancient Greek astronomers used celestial observations to determine the roundness of the Earth, a discovery made as early as 500 BCE.
Addressing the Moon Landings and the “Hidden Figures” Legacy The moon landing is also brought up, with guests making humorous references but ultimately confirming the reality of the event. They argue that the Russians would have exposed any faked landings and cite modern evidence like laser reflectors on the moon as proof. The episode also touches on the significant contributions of Black women mathematicians to NASA’s space program, especially in light of the segregated society in which they worked, countering moon landing conspiracy theories with historical facts and so much more.
