Summary

The website content discusses the "Australia Doesn’t Exist" conspiracy theory, which humorously posits that Australia is a fictional place created by the British to cover up the mass drowning of convicts.

Abstract

The article delves into a peculiar conspiracy theory that claims Australia is not a real country but a fabrication by the British government to conceal the mass murder of 162,000 convicts. This theory was popularized by Shelley Floryd in 2017, who suggested that maps and evidence of Australia's existence are forgeries, and that people claiming to be Australians are actually actors or computer-generated personas. The author, an Australian, refutes these claims with humor and logic, pointing out the impracticality of such a cover-up and the existence of personal connections to Australia's convict history. Despite the absurdity of the theory, it has been widely shared and discussed, even sparking threats against Floryd and attracting the attention of Flat Earthers. The author concludes by reassuring readers of Australia's reality and invites them to visit the country.

Opinions

The author finds the conspiracy theory amusing yet bemusing, considering it a product of critical thinking gone awry.
Shelley Floryd's evidence for the theory is considered weak, relying on a doctored map and an implausible narrative of mass drowning.
The author questions the logic behind the British government allegedly choosing to drown convicts over 80 years rather than using other, more efficient methods of punishment or exile.
The article suggests that the theory is taken too seriously by some, highlighting the gullibility of certain individuals and the potential for harm, as evidenced by the threats received by Floryd.
The author emphasizes the realness of Australia and Australians, citing personal experiences, ancestral history, and the existence of Canberra as counterpoints to the conspiracy theory.
The author expresses skepticism about the pilots' ability to deceive passengers by flying them to fake Australian locations, given common airline inefficiencies.
The article notes the involvement of Flat Earthers in supporting the conspiracy theory, linking it to other fringe beliefs.
The author's tone is one of lightheartedness and mild exasperation at the spread of misinformation, while also recognizing the human tendency to be captivated by outlandish ideas.

Pitfall Geography

Australia Doesn’t Exist

Exploring my favourite, wackiest conspiracy theory

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House? Fake, fake, fake! Photo by author.

Blessed with the ability to question and think critically, I don’t believe every single thing the government and mainstream media tell me. I do reckon some of the things some members of the conspiracy community say are interesting. They also say many things that range from wacky to batshit crazy to dangerous.

There is one conspiracy theory that falls under the wacky category and it involves my home nation, the great southern land that is Australia.

Apparently, Australia does not exist.

As an Australian, who has lived most of my life in Australia (or have I?), this idea both amuses and bemuses me.

What the heck is this conspiracy theory?

In 2017, one Shelley Floryd of Stockholm revealed some shocking news on Facebook. Or was it Reddit? One of the social medias I don’t bother with.

According to Floryd, Australia is not a giant Oceanic country girt by the Pacific and Indian oceans. No siree, Bob!

Australia is a mythical land invented by those dastardly British to cover up that time they drowned 162,000 convicts.

Floryd supported her shocking claim with some “evidence” — a map of the world with Australia photoshopped out. New Zealand remained.

So what exactly did Floryd say on that fateful day back in 2017? Let’s break it down a little.

“Australia is not real. It’s a hoax, made for us to believe that Britain moved over their criminals to someplace. In reality, all these criminals were loaded off the ships into the waters, drowning before they could see land ever again. It’s a coverup for one of the greatest mass murders in history, made by one of the most prominent empires.” Shelley Floryd

While the British have, in the past, committed atrocities when it comes to colonisation, cooking and dental care, why would they dump 162,000 convicts into the ocean? Even if they did want to get rid of these starving, petty criminals, why go to the elaborate effort of drowning them over an 80-year period?

There are far more efficient solutions like, I don’t know, transporting them to one of their newly colonised islands.

Besides, I have friends whose ancestry is traced back to convicts (considered royalty in Australia). My friends are Australian. They exist and so did their thieving ancestors.

“Australia does not exist. All things you call ‘proof’ are actually well-fabricated lies and documents made by the leading governments of the world. Your Australian friends? They’re all actors and computer-generated personas, part of the plot to trick the world.” Shelley Floryd

Consider me your Australian friend. While I did attend drama classes and play minor parts in high school plays 30 years ago, I am no actor.

Nor am I a computer-generated persona. I just pinched myself and it hurt so that proves I’m not.

But don’t bother to disprove Floryd’s claims with anything silly like maps, GPS or satellite images. Those are fake and simply a product of the “meddling of the British government”.

“If you think you’ve ever been to Australia, you’re terribly wrong. The plane pilots are all in on this, and have in all actuality only flown you to islands close nearby — or in some cases, parts of South America, where they have cleared space and hired actors to act out as real Australians.” Shelley Floryd

That’s some pretty impressive flying around they’re doing. When most airlines can’t even manage to take off on time, I doubt they could pull this stunt off.

And if you were going to all the effort to create a fantastical land, I understand all the eucalyptus and marsupials. But why would anyone bother to make up Canberra?

Floryd’s post was shared some 20,000 times and, in this great era of hyper-offence, the Aussies were offended. Floryd received threats of violence and death from my people, who called her all manner of names I can’t repeat here.

Others played along, asking for money to share their story of being a fake person in a fake country.

Then our friends, the Flat Earthers, joined in. Obviously, those convict ships had sailed off the edge of the Earth so the British government had to make up something to hide the truth.

My conclusions to this discombobulating matter

I’m 99.9% sure Floryd made up her post for a bit of a laugh. She probably didn’t realise that people would take it so seriously.

Never underestimate the gullibility of people.

I can assure you that Australia and Australians are real. Come visit us. We’ll let you cuddle a koala.

What do you reckon? Let me know in the comments.

And if you want to read more about conspiracy theories, Mark Holburn has written an excellent series of articles I recommend you check out.

References Australia doesn’t exist! And other bizarre geographic conspiracies that won’t go away Everything You Need To Know About The Conspiracy Theory That Australia Does Not Exist The Greatest Lie Ever Told: How Australia is Fake This Woman Is Convinced That Australia Doesn’t Even Exist & She Has Evidence