So let me start by saying that I appreciate how this post has been put together. It looks good and does explain the perspective of a large number of people.

That said, being willing to entertain an idea that you know to be flawed is not the ultimate test for "open mindedness" but a test of endurance.

By this logic if you are unwilling to consider that A = B then you are not openminded.

If you are willing to endure a discussion with someone who's best evidence for their theory is that a lot of people have searched for the term, then you deserve the heartache that comes with arguing with those who won't think for themselves.

I was open to the idea of a flat earth when I first came across the idea, I thought about my own experience of chemistry and my own observations about the moon, the planet and the stars, along with my own experience flying around the world. As I thought about it I did a bit research on google to assure myself that I wasn't crazy and that the earth being round didn't contradict any solid research.

After that, not entertaining the idea of a flat earth doesn't make me close minded, it makes me sane.

Thanks again for your post though, still interesting to see this idea being kicked around