Artemis II Returns From the Moon as Old Conspiracies Find New Life Online

9 April 2026

Paul Francis

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A Mission in Motion, Not Preparation

Artemis II is no longer a promise or a plan. It is a live, unfolding mission.

Having successfully travelled beyond low Earth orbit and looped around the Moon, the crew are now on their return journey to Earth. In doing so, they have already secured their place in history as the first humans in more than half a century to venture into deep space. The mission itself has been widely followed, not just through official NASA channels but across social media, where images, clips and astronaut updates have circulated in near real time.

Among the most striking moments so far have been the views of Earth from lunar distance. These are not abstract renderings or archival references. They are current, high-resolution visuals captured by a crew physically present in deep space. For many, it has been a powerful reminder of both scale and perspective, reinforcing the reality of human spaceflight beyond Earth orbit.

Yet as these images spread, something else has travelled with them.

Earthrise over the Moon's horizon, showing Earth partially lit against the blackness of space. The Moon's surface is grey and textured.

The Return of a Familiar Narrative

Alongside the excitement and global attention, Flat Earth narratives have begun to reappear with renewed visibility. As with previous milestones in space exploration, the mission has acted as a catalyst rather than a cause.

Footage from Artemis II, particularly anything showing Earth as a curved, distant sphere, has been picked apart across various platforms. Claims of digital manipulation, lens distortion and staged environments have resurfaced, often attached to short clips or isolated frames removed from their original context.

This is not evidence of a growing movement in terms of numbers. It is, however, a clear increase in visibility. The scale of Artemis II has pulled these conversations back into mainstream timelines, where they sit alongside genuine public interest and scientific engagement.

Real-Time Content, Real-Time Reaction

What distinguishes Artemis II from earlier missions is the immediacy of its coverage. This is not a mission filtered through delayed broadcasts or carefully edited highlights. It is being experienced as it happens.

That immediacy has a double edge. On one hand, it allows for unprecedented access and transparency. On the other, it provides a constant stream of material that can be reinterpreted, clipped and redistributed without context.

A reflection in a window, a momentary visual artefact in a video feed, or even the way lighting behaves inside the spacecraft can quickly be reframed as suspicious. Once those clips are detached from their technical explanations, they take on a life of their own within certain online communities.

The speed at which this happens is key. Reaction no longer follows the event. It unfolds alongside it.

Scepticism in the Age of Algorithms

Flat Earth content does not exist in isolation. It is sustained by a broader culture of scepticism towards institutions, particularly those associated with government and large-scale scientific endeavour.

NASA, as both a symbol of authority and a source of complex, hard-to-verify information, naturally becomes a focal point. Artemis II, with its deep space trajectory and high visibility, fits neatly into that framework.

Social media platforms then amplify the effect. Content that challenges, contradicts or provokes tends to perform well, regardless of its factual basis. As a result, posts questioning the mission often gain traction not because they are persuasive, but because they are engaging.

This creates a distorted sense of scale. What is, in reality, a fringe viewpoint can appear far more prominent than it actually is.

The Broader Public Perspective

Outside of these pockets of scepticism, the response to Artemis II has been largely one of fascination and admiration. The mission has reignited interest in human spaceflight, particularly among audiences who have never experienced a live crewed journey beyond Earth orbit.

There is also a noticeable difference in tone compared to previous eras. The Apollo missions were moments of collective attention, where a single narrative dominated public consciousness. Artemis II exists in a far more fragmented environment, where multiple conversations unfold simultaneously.

In that landscape, it is entirely possible for celebration, curiosity and conspiracy to coexist without directly intersecting.

A Reflection of the Modern Media Landscape

The re-emergence of Flat Earth narratives during Artemis II is not an anomaly. It is part of a broader pattern that defines how major events are now experienced.

Every significant moment generates its own parallel discourse. One is grounded in reality, driven by science, engineering and exploration. The other is shaped by interpretation, scepticism and the mechanics of online engagement.

Artemis II, currently making its way back to Earth, sits at the centre of both.

The mission itself is a clear demonstration of human capability and technological progress. The conversation around it, however, reveals something different. It highlights how information is processed, challenged and reshaped in real time.

In that sense, Artemis II is not just a journey through space. It is a case study in how modern audiences navigate truth, trust and visibility in an increasingly complex digital world.

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The Cultural Stigma Around Cosmetic Surgery: Why Are We Still Judging?

Toby Patrick
Jul 23, 2025
3 min read

Gloved hands holding a translucent breast implant in a surgical setting. The person wears a blue gown with the text "Mölnlycke" visible.

Cosmetic surgery is popular all over the world, but it still comes with a stigma. While some see it as empowering, others view it as harmful, vain and against religious or cultural beliefs. Most people have come to accept cosmetic surgery and realise the benefits that it can bring to their lives. But throughout this article, we will answer the question of why we are still judging those who choose to go under the knife.

Where did the stigma come from?

The most obvious impact of cosmetic surgery comes from cultural and religious beliefs. Going back in time, you would find that many religions believe altering our appearance goes against the God responsible for creating us.

Islam is arguably the religion most against the use of cosmetic surgery. Although the beliefs of some are becoming slightly more relaxed, most radical Muslims would view cosmetic surgery as tampering with something which Allah has created.

This differs from Islam’s stance on plastic surgery or any procedure that is designed to correct functional issues with the body.

The media also plays a key role in stigmas, and this isn’t exclusive to cosmetic surgery. Over the years, mainstream media and social media have portrayed plastic surgery to be a way of achieving a fake look.

Woman in white lab coat and purple cap, wearing blue gloves, holds a syringe. Focused expression in a clinical setting.

Social Expectations and Cosmetic Surgery

The increasing pressure to look a certain way, driven by what we see in Hollywood and online, has played a part in our changing beliefs towards cosmetic surgery. Women, especially, are put under pressure to look younger, have bigger breasts, skinnier waists and so on. Celebrities who don’t follow the standard are often unfairly criticised in the media.

This has caused a conflict with the stigma towards cosmetic surgery. As a society, we have come to accept that we cannot criticise appearances and also look down on those who are simply trying to keep up with aesthetic trends.

While the stigma has become more relaxed, men also still face backlash for turning to cosmetic surgery. Altering appearances in artificial ways is generally seen as a feminine act by many, despite the fact that men face the same pressures as women to look a certain way.

Breaking The Stigma Fully

Going forward, there is still some work to be done in terms of breaking the stigma around cosmetic surgery. After all, why should someone be judged for what they choose to do with their own body? Especially when we consider that these choices often come from the pressures created by society.

Fortunately, the tide is turning. In South Korea, for example, cosmetic and plastic surgery are viewed as normal with no stigma attached. As a result, 1 in 5 South Koreans have undergone plastic surgery.

This demonstrates the need for continued education in the Western world about surgery. Cosmetic surgery in Manchester or New York will likely still be presented negatively by certain areas of the media.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that there is still a stigma attached to cosmetic surgery, but we do appear to be making steps towards breaking this stigma. Going forward, education will be key to this shift, and it’s imperative that future generations are educated around issues such as confidence and empowerment. At the same time, it’s important that we aren’t creating or promoting unsafe surgical trends. When it comes to striking the right balance, the world can look to South Korea, where surgery is used to boost confidence, with trends focusing on safe, minimally invasive procedures. Time will tell whether or not the Western world can reach the same point in terms of attitudes towards surgery.