If everyone suddenly stopped believing that the world is round, it would not change the physical nature of the Earth itself. The shape of the Earth is an objective reality, not dependent on people's beliefs. The Earth would continue to be an oblate spheroid, just as it has been scientifically established through various measurements and observations.
However, the consequences of such a widespread belief shift could be significant in terms of societal understanding, education, and global communication. Here are some potential impacts:
Educational Challenges: If the belief in a round Earth were abandoned, there might be a significant shift in educational curricula. Scientific and historical references to the Earth's round shape would likely be removed from textbooks and teaching materials. This could lead to a less accurate understanding of the world among future generations.
Communication and Navigation: Many technologies and systems are based on the knowledge of the Earth's round shape, such as GPS navigation, satellite communication, and long-distance travel routes. If this knowledge were discarded, these technologies might become less efficient or even cease to work properly.
Exploration and Space Travel: Our understanding of space and the cosmos is intertwined with the concept of a round Earth. Space missions, satellite placements, and interplanetary travel would still be possible from a practical standpoint, but it might create confusion in space-related sciences.
Social and Cultural Implications: The rejection of a round Earth could have broader social and cultural ramifications, as it might lead to a rejection of scientific consensus and a preference for alternative worldviews that lack empirical evidence. This could hinder progress in various scientific fields.
International Relations: The belief in a round Earth has been a global consensus for centuries. If this consensus were disrupted, it might lead to disagreements and disputes between nations, as their perspectives on the world's geography and territories could be different.
Role of Science and Skepticism: Science heavily relies on evidence and skepticism to understand the world objectively. A mass shift away from accepting a round Earth could challenge the role of evidence-based reasoning in society.
It's important to note that in reality, the belief in a round Earth is well-supported by evidence, including satellite images, space missions, and historical observations. It has been a widely accepted scientific fact for centuries, and it's highly improbable for such a belief shift to occur on a global scale in the absence of new evidence or significant societal upheaval.