The "Flat-Earth Theory" (Online Conspiracy Theories) (Episode: "The Fool Monty", 2010)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Flat-Earth Theory" (Online Conspiracy Theories) (Episode: "The Fool Monty", 2010)

• What happened: The episode humorously includes a character pushing a ridiculous conspiracy theory, which mirrors the rise of strange and unfounded beliefs on the internet.
• Reality: In the 2010s, conspiracy theories, including the flat-earth theory, gained renewed attention thanks to social media platforms. People have increasingly used the internet to spread and amplify ideas that were once considered fringe or outlandish.