5 Questions for Clemens J. Setz on His New Novel

What is it that fascinates you about the Hollow World Theory?

I would say that first and foremost it’s probably the individuals that believe in it. What would you have liked to ask Peter Bender? I would definitively have asked him about his experiences as a pilot. There are no detailed descriptions of them in the documents I could access.
 

What kind of community might Peter Bender have founded today?

He could potentially have become a well-respected German politician today.
 

The »Human Community Worms«, the »Astrological Society« and the »Society for Vertical Travel« – where did you conduct research for your book and what were your methods?

In three historical archives, in hundreds of books on the history of Worms and the Hollow World Theories in general, etc. If I found myself stuck for longer, I also employed the services of professional researchers.
 

The Flat Earth Theory, according to which the earth is a disk, has undergone a true renaissance thanks to YouTube; the community of believers even held a congress in 2022. Why do you think it has more followers than the Hollow World Theory?

I suspect that it is easier to understand, and it seems like the radical opposite of the prevailing scientific theory. It would be funny if my novel – contrary to my intentions – would now convince some people that we are living inside a sphere.



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»March 1941. Bender officially retracts his claim that he was the reincarnation of Koresh. Hedwig's messenger status is also revoked. He outlines all of this in a new drawing.«