When
I was in grade school -- 4th or 5th grade -- the class was studying basic
geography. I noticed that the western edge of Africa and the eastern edge of
South America looked very similar. I pointed out my "finding" to the
teacher.
He COULD have acknowledged the similarity and then explained (using the then-current understanding of the Earth's construction) that this was simply a coincidence.
Instead, in front of the entire class, he ridiculed me for being so stupid as to think that the Earth's continents could actually move!
That was my first encounter with what happens when someone questions "established" science. Unfortunately, it was not the last, as later posts will show.
Today, we understand the concept of Plate Tectonics, and recognize that continents not only can drift around, but that they are doing so at this very moment!
He COULD have acknowledged the similarity and then explained (using the then-current understanding of the Earth's construction) that this was simply a coincidence.
Instead, in front of the entire class, he ridiculed me for being so stupid as to think that the Earth's continents could actually move!
That was my first encounter with what happens when someone questions "established" science. Unfortunately, it was not the last, as later posts will show.
Today, we understand the concept of Plate Tectonics, and recognize that continents not only can drift around, but that they are doing so at this very moment!
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