Columbia Mocks Flat-Earthers: Snap a Picture and 'Win' the Entire Company

Flat-Earthers are often difficult to take seriously, but Columbias latest marketing move gives them a humorous nod. The companys CEO, Tim Boyle, has issued a playful challenge to those convinced that the Earth is flat and has edges.

Boyles proposition is simple: anyone who reaches the so-called edge of the Earth and captures a photograph will receive all of Columbias assets. The company emphasizes that figurative attempts wont qualify. According to the video description, the Edge of the Earth refers to a literal, visible end of the planet an infinite drop into an abyss, not a scenic cliff in Seattle, a dead-end street in Kansas, or a person nicknamed The Edge.

To add to the fun, Boyle tours Columbias offices, highlighting everything from computers to coffee machines as potential prizes for whoever reaches the mythical boundaries of a flat Earth.

This stunt cleverly satirizes the flat Earth belief, but the phenomenon is more widespread than many realize. A 2021 survey from the University of New Hampshire reported that roughly 10% of Americans believe in a flat Earth, and 12% doubt the authenticity of the moon landing. The Flat Earth International Conference even took place in Dallas in 2019, though its website appears inactive.

The rise of flat Earth theories is often tied to the spread of online misinformation, with YouTube frequently cited as a source the same platform hosting Columbias humorous campaign. NASA has also contributed educational content, including a video titled How Do We Know the Earth Isnt Flat? We Asked a NASA Expert, which cites solar movement, maritime navigation, and lunar imagery as evidence of a round Earth.

For those questioning the planets shape, observing the horizon from an airplane often provides a clear demonstration of Earths curvature. Yet in the digital age, virtually any claim can find justification online, no matter how far-fetched.

Author: Olivia Parker