https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-24/mad-mike-hughes-dies-after-launching-himself-rocket-california/11993112

A self-styled daredevil who taught himself rocket science in a bid to prove the earth is flat has died after crashing his homemade rocket in California.

Key points:
Hughes wanted to go up into space to prove his theory the Earth is flat
Footage of the launch shows the rocket ascending into the air before falling to the ground seconds later
In March 2018, Hughes propelled himself almost 600m into the air before a hard landing in the Mojave Desert
"Mad" Mike Hughes died after the rocket in which he launched himself crashed to the ground on private property near Barstow, California, on Sunday.

Waldo Stakes, a colleague who was at the rocket launch, said Hughes, 64, was killed.

"It was unsuccessful, and he passed away," Stakes told The Associated Press. He declined to provide further comment.

Footage of the launch posted on social media showed Hughes' rocket ascending into the air before falling to the ground seconds later.

At least he died doing what he loved best.

Can't say I'm surprised.  Someone relying on science to build and pilot a rocket who thinks the earth is flat kills himself because of a rocket failure...

Still, it's an unnecessary loss :(

Another recipient of a Darwin Award, I'm sure.

https://darwinawards.com/

Best comment I've seen so far was by someone on Twitter:


Quote:

"The earth is still round but Mike is now flat"

Carl D wrote on Feb 24^th, 2020 at 9:20am:

Another recipient of a Darwin Award, I'm sure. https://darwinawards.com/ Best comment I've seen so far was by someone on Twitter: Quote: "The earth is still round but Mike is now flat"

Think he';s already reproduced

Prime Minister for Canyons wrote on Feb 24^th, 2020 at 12:30pm:

Carl D wrote on Feb 24th, 2020 at 9:20am: Another recipient of a Darwin Award, I'm sure. https://darwinawards.com/ Best comment I've seen so far was by someone on Twitter: Quote: "The earth is still round but Mike is now flat" Think he';s already reproduced

There is bound to be a second generation to cash in on his success ... and stupidity.

The parachute detached during the launch

So he got what he richly deserved for spreading ignorance... but of course the conspiracy theorists will claim that he was killed to prevent him from exposing the long sought after proof of the shape of the world.

Master Light?

Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer

maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess?

PZ547 wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 6:04am:

Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess?

He was a stunt man who spread ignorance and misery. I am fine with the stunt man part, but he did real damage with his lies.

I'd hardly call him an adventurer.

AiA wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 6:31am:

PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? He was a stunt man who spread ignorance and misery. I am fine with the stunt man part, but he did real damage with his lies. I'd hardly call him an adventurer.

I'd never heard of him before.  What damage did he do?

PZ547 wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 6:37am:

AiA wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:31am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? He was a stunt man who spread ignorance and misery. I am fine with the stunt man part, but he did real damage with his lies. I'd hardly call him an adventurer. I'd never heard of him before.  What damage did he do?

He was a leader of the doubters of scientific expertise as a whole and that everything one doesn't believe in is "fake news."

AiA wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 7:21am:

PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:37am: AiA wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:31am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? He was a stunt man who spread ignorance and misery. I am fine with the stunt man part, but he did real damage with his lies. I'd hardly call him an adventurer. I'd never heard of him before.  What damage did he do? He was a leader of the doubters of scientific expertise as a whole and that everything one doesn't believe in is "fake news."

Sure, but nowhere near as harmful as the anti-vaxxer Hollywood elites or the constant stream of crap from the likes of gwyneth paltrow, all who don't get anywhere near the level of criticism from the media because they're mostly politically left.

flip

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 7:33am:

AiA wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 7:21am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:37am: AiA wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:31am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? He was a stunt man who spread ignorance and misery. I am fine with the stunt man part, but he did real damage with his lies. I'd hardly call him an adventurer. I'd never heard of him before.  What damage did he do? He was a leader of the doubters of scientific expertise as a whole and that everything one doesn't believe in is "fake news." Sure, but nowhere near as harmful as the anti-vaxxer Hollywood elites or the constant stream of crap from the likes of gwyneth paltrow, all who don't get anywhere near the level of criticism from the media because they're mostly politically left.

Hopefully Weinstein can rape her before he goes to jail ...

AiA wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 7:39am:

Gordon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 7:33am: AiA wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 7:21am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:37am: AiA wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:31am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? He was a stunt man who spread ignorance and misery. I am fine with the stunt man part, but he did real damage with his lies. I'd hardly call him an adventurer. I'd never heard of him before.  What damage did he do? He was a leader of the doubters of scientific expertise as a whole and that everything one doesn't believe in is "fake news." Sure, but nowhere near as harmful as the anti-vaxxer Hollywood elites or the constant stream of crap from the likes of gwyneth paltrow, all who don't get anywhere near the level of criticism from the media because they're mostly politically left. Hopefully Weinstein can rape her before he goes to jail ...

He'd have to take the candles out first.

PZ547 wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 6:04am:

Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess?

I applaud his willingness to try and find evidence to prove his hypothesis, but, like most flat earthers, he's made his mind up and nothing was going to change it.

He would have been better flying a Cessna, it would have got him higher that he achieved.

But really, he should have just used a balloon.  He could have seen the curvature at 80,000ft, but the latest balloon skydive record was at 135,890ft.

He could have seen it with his own eyes and not had to worry about a rocket that he clearly was not capable of designing and piloting.

He's "red-pilled" countless other flatards and while his death is a waste of human life, at least we only have to deal with his legacy now.

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 8:10am:

PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? I applaud his willingness to try and find evidence to prove his hypothesis, but, like most flat earthers, he's made his mind up and nothing was going to change it. He would have been better flying a Cessna, it would have got him higher that he achieved. But really, he should have just used a balloon.  He could have seen the curvature at 80,000ft, but the latest balloon skydive record was at 135,890ft. He could have seen it with his own eyes and not had to worry about a rocket that he clearly was not capable of designing and piloting. He's "red-pilled" countless other flatards and while his death is a waste of human life, at least we only have to deal with his legacy now.

Why don't you speak out against anti-vaxxers like you do people like this?

I do.

Their ignorance is not as good as a scientists knowledge but the notion of media "balance" often gives them the same platform.

They are entitled to their opinions, but the moment they spread them as fact, they become liars.

And if they spread it as fact knowing it is not supported by evidence they are both liars and frauds.

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 10:10am:

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 8:10am: PZ547 wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 6:04am: Pretty angry responses in here to the death of an adventurer maybe some feel threatened and have less confidence in their assertions than they profess? I applaud his willingness to try and find evidence to prove his hypothesis, but, like most flat earthers, he's made his mind up and nothing was going to change it. He would have been better flying a Cessna, it would have got him higher that he achieved. But really, he should have just used a balloon.  He could have seen the curvature at 80,000ft, but the latest balloon skydive record was at 135,890ft. He could have seen it with his own eyes and not had to worry about a rocket that he clearly was not capable of designing and piloting. He's "red-pilled" countless other flatards and while his death is a waste of human life, at least we only have to deal with his legacy now. Why don't you speak out against anti-vaxxers like you do people like this?

Glad you directed that at Sad Kan and not me.

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 10:25am:

I do. Their ignorance is not as good as a scientists knowledge but the notion of media "balance" often gives them the same platform. They are entitled to their opinions, but the moment they spread them as fact, they become liars. And if they spread it as fact knowing it is not supported by evidence they are both liars and frauds.

What I don't like about flat earthers is their anti-science message seeps into other areas, but for the most part I wouldn't be surprised if most of the people on the net who call themselves a flat eather take that position for no other reason than for a bit of fun. Remember, it started on Reddit as a joke.

Anti-vaxxers however kill people and the American left wing media should be eviscerating every time they open their mouths, yet they don't.

Most of the Hollywood elite who are AV and anti-GMO are given a big fat pass because they are also anti-trump.

Anti-GMO, please don't get me started...

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 11:01am:

Anti-GMO, please don't get me started...

Off you go... Most anti-vaxxers would also be anti-GMO.

I'm not the most highly educated person in the world, but all it takes is a basic high school level of scientific education to not be fooled by the bullshit around anti-vaxx and anti-GMO and at least ask the right questions, evaluate evidence and be able to draw the right conclusions.

Why is it always the same type of people that are so desperate for answers that when they've given them, but don't understand them, decide to substitute things they can understand, like 9/11 being an inside job, COVID-19 being manmade and released on purpose, climate change being a hoax because it rained or snowed or "I don't remember these types of clouds from when I was a kid, CHEMTRAILS!".

Has modern education really failed so many people?

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 11:27am:

I'm not the most highly educated person in the world, but all it takes is a basic high school level of scientific education to not be fooled by the bullshit around anti-vaxx and anti-GMO and at least ask the right questions, evaluate evidence and be able to draw the right conclusions. Why is it always the same type of people that are so desperate for answers that when they've given them, but don't understand them, decide to substitute things they can understand, like 9/11 being an inside job, COVID-19 being manmade and released on purpose, climate change being a hoax because it rained or snowed or "I don't remember these types of clouds from when I was a kid, CHEMTRAILS!". Has modern education really failed so many people?

Thanks to the left wing media failing to attack the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, anti-vaxx and anti-GMO have been allowed to become mainstream views.

All the other stuff you mentioned is widely considered to be wackadoodle.

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 11:42am:

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 11:27am: I'm not the most highly educated person in the world, but all it takes is a basic high school level of scientific education to not be fooled by the bullshit around anti-vaxx and anti-GMO and at least ask the right questions, evaluate evidence and be able to draw the right conclusions. Why is it always the same type of people that are so desperate for answers that when they've given them, but don't understand them, decide to substitute things they can understand, like 9/11 being an inside job, COVID-19 being manmade and released on purpose, climate change being a hoax because it rained or snowed or "I don't remember these types of clouds from when I was a kid, CHEMTRAILS!". Has modern education really failed so many people? Thanks to the left wing media failing to attack the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, anti-vaxx and anti-GMO have been allowed to become mainstream views. All the other stuff you mentioned is widely considered to be wackadoodle.

Left wing media are too scared to do what the Right do, but in reverse.

They're so worried about being accused of bias that they give platforms to fake news which allows those pushing it to disguide opinion as fact.

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 11:51am:

Gordon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 11:42am: KangAnon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 11:27am: I'm not the most highly educated person in the world, but all it takes is a basic high school level of scientific education to not be fooled by the bullshit around anti-vaxx and anti-GMO and at least ask the right questions, evaluate evidence and be able to draw the right conclusions. Why is it always the same type of people that are so desperate for answers that when they've given them, but don't understand them, decide to substitute things they can understand, like 9/11 being an inside job, COVID-19 being manmade and released on purpose, climate change being a hoax because it rained or snowed or "I don't remember these types of clouds from when I was a kid, CHEMTRAILS!". Has modern education really failed so many people? Thanks to the left wing media failing to attack the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, anti-vaxx and anti-GMO have been allowed to become mainstream views. All the other stuff you mentioned is widely considered to be wackadoodle. Left wing media are too scared to do what the Right do, but in reverse. They're so worried about being accused of bias that they give platforms to fake news which allows those pushing it to disguide opinion as fact.

I know you'll think I'm playing the left/right thing but in this case I'm really not. I come out against anti-science nutbags off all political persuasions.

Think about it, if they went really hard against the Hollywood elite for anti-vax, anti GMO and all the other wooowooo crap they push, they'd cut themselves off from access to them. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they're into it themselves!

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2020 at 11:59am:

KangAnon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 11:51am: Gordon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 11:42am: KangAnon wrote on Feb 25th, 2020 at 11:27am: I'm not the most highly educated person in the world, but all it takes is a basic high school level of scientific education to not be fooled by the bullshit around anti-vaxx and anti-GMO and at least ask the right questions, evaluate evidence and be able to draw the right conclusions. Why is it always the same type of people that are so desperate for answers that when they've given them, but don't understand them, decide to substitute things they can understand, like 9/11 being an inside job, COVID-19 being manmade and released on purpose, climate change being a hoax because it rained or snowed or "I don't remember these types of clouds from when I was a kid, CHEMTRAILS!". Has modern education really failed so many people? Thanks to the left wing media failing to attack the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, anti-vaxx and anti-GMO have been allowed to become mainstream views. All the other stuff you mentioned is widely considered to be wackadoodle. Left wing media are too scared to do what the Right do, but in reverse. They're so worried about being accused of bias that they give platforms to fake news which allows those pushing it to disguide opinion as fact. I know you'll think I'm playing the left/right thing but in this case I'm really not. I come out against anti-science nutbags off all political persuasions. Think about it, if they went really hard against the Hollywood elite for anti-vax, anti GMO and all the other wooowooo crap they push, they'd cut themselves off from access to them. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they're into it themselves!

The problem is that they come up against the like of Fox who will lambast them for pushing an agenda and being bias while themselves doing the same thing.

The media is broken, but "citizen journalism" is worse and it's not the answer.  People are too stupid for that and will believe thing that they like to be true over what is actually true.

The misinformation about COVID-19 is a great and sadly ever-continuing example.