Shape Memes

The bell curve of Earth shape knowledge! On both ends, you've got people confidently declaring "The Earth is a sphere" (spoiler: they're wrong). Meanwhile, in the middle peak of the curve is the frustrated geoscience nerd screaming "NOOO THE EARTH IS AN IRREGULARLY-SHAPED ELLIPSOID!" This is the perfect representation of how actual scientific knowledge works - the most accurate answer is often complex and unsatisfying. While elementary school taught us Earth is a sphere, and flat-Earthers... well, they have their own ideas... the truth is our planet bulges at the equator and has countless topographical variations. It's technically an "oblate spheroid" or "geoid" that defies simple geometric classification! The real galaxy brains know Earth's shape has a special name that will never come up in casual conversation unless you want everyone to slowly back away from you at parties!