Google Maps flat earth view

At one of my first jobs, I had a coworker who I’d attend animation events with in LA. He had… eclectic taste in many ways, but I value our friendship, as it broadened my horizons in regards to art, music, and culture more broadly. He was also debilitatingly afraid of birds and thought the Earth was flat. It wasn’t something he’d debate, it was just a fact to him.

To be transparent, this idea isn’t that deep. I’m a bit under the weather and coming up with an idea quickly so I can go to bed. This desperation got me thinking about Google Maps and my friend who’s a flat-earther. What if there was a UI affordance for people who believe this?

My brain folded into a pretzel when I tried to make this interface. Initially, I was going to try and recreate the Google Map view from the flat earth map perspective, but then I decided I’d rather go to bed than spend an hour tracing and manipulating a map. That’s why you have the idea you see above.

There’s note much functionality to be had here, but this would generate some buzz if it got shipped.

Have a friend who really thinks the earth is flat? Send them this newsletter. https://sorens.beehiiv.com/