# Did Tolkein  wrongfully imagine the visual affects of a flat world?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tolkein-wrongfully-imagine-the-visual-affects-of-a-flat-world/811317>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 28, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tolkein-wrongfully-imagine-the-visual-affects-of-a-flat-world/811317 "2018-03-28T03:37:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tolkein-wrongfully-imagine-the-visual-affects-of-a-flat-world/811317/21 "2018-03-29T09:32:11Z")

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> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> Am I thinking of this incorrectly, or was this simply a failure (minor, I am sure we can all agree) of imagination on the Greater Professor’s part?

Air isn’t always 100% transparent. Yes, theoretically you could stand on the shore of Numenor - or South Harad - and see Tol Eressea and the Pelori, but a little bit of sea mist or cloud along the way and your view gets blocked. Indeed, Tolkein talks about defensive mists being put there to deter intruders.

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