On the internet, there seems to be no end to the number of strange conspiracy theories. Some believe in the existence of ‘lizard people’, others think the Capitol riot was orchestrated by the FBI. Now, some even believe in the Donut Earth Theory.
Unlike flat-earthers, who think the planet is completely flat, those who believe in Donut Earth Theory think we live on a planet shaped like a ring donut.
The scientific name for a ring donut shape is torus-shaped, and some believe we inhabit a planet that has a gigantic hole in the centre of it.
In 2008, the theory appeared on the Flat Earth Society forum site as a joke, with the poster, Dr. Rosenpenis, writing: “The tastiest celestial body, our sugar-glazed planet Earth.”
However, some have now earnestly run with the idea, trying to find scientific explanations for how this could realistically be the case.
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According to forum user Varaug, we don’t know the hole in the torus-shaped earth exists because, “light bends and follows the curvature of the torus, making the hole ‘unseeable’”.
Some YouTube videos have taken the opportunity to satirically explain Donut Earth Theory, others seem to agree with Varaug’s theory, as one person replied: "I am glad to see other supporters of toroidal earth theory here. I have been promoting it for a long time but nobody ever seems to back me up. I can’t understand why."
Scientists, however, have debunked the theory saying that a torus-shaped Earth wouldn’t allow us to have night and day as we know it, or sunrises and sunsets.
Thanks to the unique shape of a donut, the seasons would vary massively in different parts of the world due to the angle at which the sun is hitting it.
Violent, strong wind and weather conditions would also be an issue with a horus-shaped planet.
Clouds on a donut-shaped planet could be up to three times taller than on our Earth and gravity would be weaker in the inside and on the outside of the ring.
Those living near the central hole would also experience multiple seasons, meaning in theory, it could snap into winter in the middle of July.
It’s definitely one of the more unusual conspiracy theories and, judging by what the scientists are saying, it’s just as well it’s not real.
