why do people think the earth is flat

People think the Earth is flat mostly due to a combination of historical misconceptions, conspiracy theories, distrust of scientific authorities, religious beliefs, and the influence of social media. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that the Earth is spherical, some people perceive the Earth as flat because it looks flat from ground level, and many have limited direct experience with the planet's vast scale. Flat Earth beliefs are often intertwined with conspiracies claiming governments or organizations like NASA are hiding the "truth" about Earth's shape. Additionally, some Flat Earthers argue from religious perspectives or have distrust toward mainstream science. Social media and popular influencers have amplified these views in recent years, making flat Earth ideas more visible and discussed even if they remain a minority viewpoint.