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

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

9 April 2026

Paul Francis

Want your article or story on our site? Contact us here

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.

Current Most Read

Artemis II Returns From the Moon as Old Conspiracies Find New Life Online
Streamlining Small Business Operations for Maximum Efficiency
Posts Are Down, But Scrolling Isn’t: Are We Watching More and Sharing Less on Social Media?

Viva La Dirt League: From Humble Beginnings to YouTube Comedy Icons

  • Writer: Paul Francis
    Paul Francis
  • Nov 7, 2024
  • 3 min read

Viva La Dirt League (VLDL) is a New Zealand-based YouTube group specializing in comedic skits that parody the quirks of gaming, fantasy, and everyday geek culture. The group was founded primarily by Alan Morrison and Rowan Bettjeman, who initially came together with a shared love of games and humour. They began creating small skits inspired by video game tropes and quickly gained attention for their unique style and relatability among gamers.


As VLDL’s popularity grew, they brought in other talent, including Ben Van Lier and later Adam King, who joined the team officially after the channel had started gaining traction. With the addition of regular actors like Ellie Harwood, Byron Coll, and others, VLDL’s skits became more dynamic, allowing for a variety of character types and fresh humor in each series.


Popular Viva La Dirt League Series

Viva La Dirt League has created several iconic series on their channel, each targeting a different aspect of gaming or geek culture:


Epic NPC Man – Perhaps their most famous series, Epic NPC Man is set in the fictional fantasy world of "Skycraft" (a spoof on The Elder Scrolls and other RPG games). It follows the daily lives of NPCs, highlighting the limitations of these programmed characters and the humorous scenarios they encounter. Alan Morrison plays Greg, a clueless NPC with an often baffled take on the player-controlled adventurers, while Rowan Bettjeman stars as Bodger, a hapless blacksmith with dubious skills.



Bored – A workplace comedy set in a tech and gaming store, Bored follows the strange encounters between employees and customers. This series humorously explores tech and retail stereotypes, with recurring characters bringing a mix of dry humour and over-the-top situations to life.



PUBG Logic – Based on the game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), this series reenacts the often absurd logic and chaotic gameplay players experience in battle royale games. From awkward weapon handling to the bizarre behaviours players adopt, PUBG Logic is a fan favourite for its playful exaggeration of the game’s mechanics.



D&D Logic – A newer series, D&D Logic takes on the tropes and oddities of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. The characters’ attempts to navigate the rules and unexpected scenarios bring humour to classic RPG moments, making it a hit with tabletop enthusiasts.



Recurring Characters

VLDL’s characters are as iconic as the series they belong to, and the main cast plays various roles across these series:


Greg (Alan Morrison) – The bewildered NPC from Epic NPC Man, often confused by the actions of player-controlled characters.


Bodger (Rowan Bettjeman) – The blacksmith NPC in Epic NPC Man, known for his lack of skill and often misguided confidence.


Adam (Adam King) – Appearing in multiple series, Adam plays a variety of roles that highlight the quirks of gaming and retail interactions.


Ben (Ben Van Lier) – Known for his intense, larger-than-life characters, Ben adds a bold energy to many skits, particularly in Epic NPC Man and PUBG Logic.


Ellie (Ellie Harwood) – Often playing strong female characters, Ellie’s roles add depth and variety to VLDL’s series, especially in D&D Logic and Epic NPC Man.


Byron (Byron Coll) – Known for his eccentric characters, Byron frequently appears in various series, adding unpredictable and humorous elements.


Production and Growth

Starting with basic setups and simple skits, Viva La Dirt League has grown tremendously, now boasting high production quality with elaborate sets, costumes, and effects that rival those of professional studios. Supported by a loyal fan base on Patreon, they’ve been able to fund increasingly ambitious projects, expanding their world-building and exploring new concepts.


Today, Viva La Dirt League has cemented itself as a staple in the online gaming community. Their blend of humour, creativity, and genuine love for gaming resonates with fans around the world, making them a go-to YouTube channel for relatable, high-quality gaming and fantasy comedy.

bottom of page