Leslie Massey
It may seem absurd, but there are indeed people who believe Australia doesn't exist. This idea, which has gone viral in recent years, is often associated with conspiracy theories and groups that promote fringe beliefs, such as the Flat Earth theory. Proponents of the Australia doesn't exist theory have claimed that the country is a hoax or a fantasy land invented by Britain to justify sending prisoners to a remote location. Some individuals even go as far as to suggest that Australians are all hired actors, despite abundant evidence to the contrary, including famous Australian personalities, landmarks, and unique Australian culture and wildlife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | 2006 |
| Originator | Flat Earth Association |
| Recent populariser | Shelley Floryd, a Swedish Facebook user |
| Number of times shared by recent populariser | Over 20,000 |
| Reason for belief | Britain made up the criminal colony of Australia as an excuse to kill prisoners |
| Number of prisoners killed | 162,000 |
| People who believe this | Flat Earthers |
| People who believe this and their nationality | People from Birmingham, England |
| People who believe this and their relationship status | Boyfriend |
| People who believe this and their mental health | Schizophrenic, mentally ill, neurological disorder |
| People who believe this and their belief about people from Australia | Hired actors |
| People from Australia's reaction | Anger, disbelief, humour |
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What You'll Learn
The Flat Earth Theory
Despite this scientific evidence, the notion of a flat Earth has seen a resurgence in recent years, fuelled by social media and conspiracy theories. Some proponents of the Flat Earth Theory believe that Antarctica extends infinitely in all directions, enclosing the rest of the planet. Others reject the laws of gravity, arguing that the Earth is a disk accelerating upward to create the illusion of gravity. Scientists and researchers have found that the appeal of these ideas lies in a combination of factors, including public mistrust of official science, loyalty to specific groups or communities, and the influence of misinformation on social media.
It is worth noting that the Flat Earth Theory is often associated with other conspiracy theories and fringe beliefs. For example, some individuals who question the existence of Australia, a distant and relatively unknown land to many, may also subscribe to the idea of a flat Earth. This highlights how the rejection of established scientific knowledge can lead to the adoption of multiple alternative beliefs, even when they are contradictory or lack supporting evidence.
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Conspiracy theories
There are indeed people who believe that Australia doesn't exist. This idea has been linked to the Flat Earth movement, with some adherents suggesting that the country is a fabrication. This theory has been around since at least 2018, when a group of people from Birmingham, England, posted on Facebook that they believed Australians were hired actors and that the country was a hoax. This idea went viral in 2022, with a Swedish Facebook user, Shelley Floryd, claiming it was "one of the greatest hoaxes ever made".
The theory has several purported explanations for why Australia would be invented. One is that Britain fabricated the continent as an excuse to kill prisoners, sending them off to a supposed remote area. Another is that all Australians are paid actors, and the country is a "fantasy land" run by "real secret government agents".
Those who believe in the existence of Australia have offered counterarguments, such as the existence of Australian celebrities, landmarks, and unique cultural products like Vegemite and Tim Tams. Some have also pointed out the logical fallacy in this belief, arguing that by this logic, one could claim that any country doesn't exist simply because they haven't personally been there or met someone from there.
The belief that Australia doesn't exist has been used as a meme and a joke, and it's hard to gauge how many people genuinely hold this view. However, it has sparked discussions about the nature of proof and the appeal of conspiracy theories, especially among those who also believe in a flat Earth.
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Britain's criminal colony
The idea that Australia doesn't exist is a hoax that went viral, with some claiming that Britain invented the colony of Australia as an excuse to kill tens of thousands of prisoners. However, Australia is indeed real, and it has a deep history as a British penal colony.
In the 18th century, criminal activity was rampant in England, especially in cities, and punishment was often harsh and excessive. Victims of crimes had to hire a mob to locate the perpetrators, and courts often handed out death sentences to get criminals off the streets, with little consideration of the severity of the crime. Recognising that the number of people being sentenced to death was getting out of control, the British government sought alternative solutions.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Britain had been sending convicts overseas to its American colonies. About 60,000 convicts were transported under the Transportation Act 1717. However, after Britain's defeat in the American Revolutionary War, they needed to find a new destination for their convicts.
In 1770, James Cook charted and claimed possession of the east coast of Australia for Britain. Fearing French expansion into the region, Britain chose Australia as the new site of a penal colony. In 1787, the First Fleet of eleven convict ships set sail for Botany Bay, arriving on 20 January 1788 to found Sydney, New South Wales, the first European settlement on the continent.
Between 1788 and 1868, about 162,000 convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia. The conditions for these convicts were harsh, with many subjected to painful manual labour, sometimes working 18-hour days. However, it was considered an improvement on the conditions they would have faced in Britain, and the food in Australia was of better quality. Once they had served their sentences, convicts could choose to remain in Australia and start new lives, rather than returning to England and the stigma of being a criminal.
The use of Australia as a penal colony also served to alleviate the overcrowding in British prisons and hulks, and it provided a solution to the labour shortages in the colonies.
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Australians as hired actors
The idea that Australia doesn't exist has been a topic of discussion and debate in recent years, with some people claiming that the country is a hoax or a conspiracy theory. One of the arguments put forward by believers of this theory is that Australians are all hired actors. This idea was popularised by a group of Flat Earth Believers from Birmingham, England, who shared their beliefs on Facebook. According to them, Australia is a "fantasy land" run by "real secret government agents".
The claim that Australians are hired actors has been met with disbelief and ridicule by many, including those who identify as Australian themselves. Some Australians have taken to online platforms to refute these claims, inviting non-believers to visit the country and experience it for themselves. They point to famous Australian icons such as Chris Hemsworth, Isaac Butterfield, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru as proof of the country's existence.
The theory that Australia is a hoax has its roots in the idea that Britain invented the criminal colony of Australia as an excuse to eliminate tens of thousands of prisoners. This conspiracy theory, which gained traction in 2006, was allegedly started by a Swedish Facebook user named Shelley Floryd, who called it "one of the greatest hoaxes ever made".
While the majority of people consider the idea of Australia as a hoax absurd, it has sparked interesting discussions and debates online, with some people even jokingly entertaining the idea. However, it is important to approach such topics with critical thinking and a consideration for the potential mental health implications that may be influencing these beliefs.
The belief that Australians are hired actors and that Australia doesn't exist can be concerning when it leads to distrust, paranoia, or harm to oneself or others. It is important to encourage help-seeking behaviours and support individuals who may be struggling with their mental health or experiencing delusions.
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Mental health
In Australia, mental health has undergone a significant shift in the last 50 years. The country has a mixed healthcare system, with both public and private sectors. The public system includes Medicare, a government-run insurance scheme that supports mental health initiatives. Each state has its own management plans for mental health treatment, but the overarching system and spending remain consistent.
According to various surveys and studies, mental health issues are prevalent in Australia. The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) estimates that 22% of Australians aged 16-85 experienced a mental illness in the previous 12 months, while 43% had experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses, affecting 17% of the population.
The Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, conducted in 2013-14, estimated that 14% of children and adolescents aged 4-17 have a mental illness. Furthermore, the 2010 Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) revealed that 64,000 Australians aged 18-64 experienced a psychotic illness and were in contact with public specialized mental health services.
While medication plays an important role in treating mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, it should not be the sole focus of treatment. Developing self-regulation and self-reliance skills is crucial for long-term management. However, the Australian mental health system has faced criticism for its decline in services, particularly for those with severe mental illnesses. There is a shortage of psychiatrists, and the system often fails to address the societal drivers of mental illness.
The stigma associated with mental health issues in Australia can also hinder people from seeking help. The public system's inability to adequately address genuine problems and the lack of ongoing support for stable patients contribute to the challenges faced by those with mental health concerns.
Despite these issues, there are resources available for those struggling with their mental health in Australia. The National Mental Health Commission aims to give mental health and suicide prevention national attention and influence reform. Organizations like OzHelp Foundation focus on preventing mental illness and improving the mental well-being of employees in workplaces. Additionally, telephone and online mental health resources, such as Head to Health and SANE Australia, offer advice and support to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties.
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Frequently asked questions
The idea that Australia doesn't exist is often associated with Flat Earth Theory. Some proponents of this theory believe that Australians are hired actors and that the country was invented as a pretext for Britain to kill prisoners.
In 2018, a group of people from Birmingham, England, posted on Facebook about their disbelief in Australia. The idea went viral in 2022, with a Swedish Facebook user, Shelley Floryd, claiming it was "one of the greatest hoaxes ever made."
Many people born and raised in Australia find the idea offensive and absurd. Some have pointed to famous Australians, landmarks, and cultural exports as proof of Australia's existence.
Some people have suggested that those who believe Australia doesn't exist are mentally ill or have low cognitive function. Others have recommended breaking off relationships with such people.
