Flatlander (Niven)

Flatlander is a term used in Larry Niven's fictional universe of Known Space. It is also the title of two works in the Known Space canon.

The in-universe term flatlander refers to any human born on Earth, in contrast to those who live on other planets or space habitats. The derogatory term was coined by Belters, whose space habitats are either enclosed, or located on large asteroids with visibly curving horizons. Whereas from any point on the surface of Earth the horizon looks flat.

Of the stable population of approximately eighteen billion people living on Earth from about the 23rd century onwards, very few wind up leaving the planet for any length of time. Many suffer from the so-called flatland phobia, a chronic fear of leaving the confines of the environment in which humans evolved. Their reaction to changes in gravity, atmospheric composition, and sunlight hue can include nausea and continual panic attacks.

Those who do venture into space, of course, tend to take exception to the word, as they have left the planet with no ill effects, and even relish partaking of the same adventures and benefits of space travel that non-Earthbound humans enjoy. Gregory Pelton is one of these, goading Beowulf Shaeffer into calling him a flatlander even after having traveled to a number of planets in Known Space.

Flatlander () is a 1995 anthology by Niven, all stories set in Known Space. It is the definitive collection of all stories by Niven about ARM agent Gil Hamilton.

"Flatlander" is an English language science fiction short story written in 1967 by Larry Niven. It is the third in the series of Known Space stories featuring crashlander Beowulf Shaeffer.

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