Worlds end Dec 21st 2012

Well not too long now before we all implode according to the Mayan calender. Are you guys scared? I'm currently settling up my affairs.

Interestingly enough that's not how the Mayan calender works. As usual the facts have been misinterpreted and spun into an Armageddon scenario. Well, it will sell more books, promote crank websites and sell you those DVDs. In reality the Mayan Calender is set in "cycles" and will simply roll over to the next cycle in 2012. Much like a car would after it exceeds the clock limit in miles.

This deadly planetary conjunction that will happen when the planets align is simply ludicrous. I think I'll trust the opinions of modern day astronomers instead.

To say that the Mayans had a good grasp of some aspects of astronomy is fair, okay so they could predict an eclipse or two. However to say, as you often hear, that they had better understanding of Astronomy than we have today is just plain silly and totally inaccurate. But remember, "secret ancient knowledge" sells more books and gets people on TV.

What I really want to know is, if the Mayans really were that advanced, and could foresee the destruction of the Earth on Dec 21 2012. Why didn't they see that there own demise was coming, and therefore do something about it?

Just to add one final thought on the subject of "The end is nigh"...

It's been going around for quite a long time now. Just take look back through history and you'll see people predicting the Earth's death every so often. Notice though, that the goal posts are ever changing - when the end date is exceeded.

The same old people make the same old predictions, and they get it wrong every time. Then you hear the same old excuses as to why this cosmic event didn't happen.

Then they change the end date yet again - in order suit their needs?

Why do you think people predict the end of the world Rob?

regards,

Den.

Hmmm.... That's a great question Den.

I'm not 100% sure but I have a few ideas.

I'd say that it's a lot o do with our old friend "cognitive bias", people see what they want to see. I also think people are "pre-disposed" to believe these strange notions. I think it stems all the way back to being a caveman, probably an instinctive fear originally used to protect us (the fight or flight response). Now that we don't have that type of predatory fear any longer - it now focuses on something else - evolution take it's time to fix things up.

A lot has to do with ones genetics also. Some people are programmed to have a more "pessimistic" outlook than others. This would also include why some people are more superstitious than others (although there are other factors involved too).

Paradolia also comes into play here I think. Again, we as humans start putting 2 & 2 together to get 5. What I mean by this is, we see a lot of disasters, then this becomes "a sign". A sign of the end of the world. Just like you see a few fake crop circles. Then all of a sudden it's a sign that aliens are visiting the planet, etc. You can [pretty much do this with any phenomenon. remember the virgin Mary depicted in a cheese sandwich. After all it seems were "hard wired" to recognize pasterns.

I see a snowball effect happening here too. One person says "X", then it becomes a mild form of hysteria, as more people buy into it. It doesn't seem to be all that hard to convince people that everything is coming to an end real soon. Just like it's easy enough to convince people that Big Foot is about. Ironically most people believe in these things but have never had any actual experience with the phenomenon, whether it's ghosts or ETs. People, a lot of the time simply believe through hearsay, and anecdotal evidence. And you can ask any Cop just how unreliable they are.

Religion has a major part to play to, as it's been hammering away at us for years convincing us that the world will end some day - most of the major religions believe in this. I see it as just another form of control through fear. Same deal as the after life.... "you wont go to Heaven, if you don't do what we say...".

Just look at all of those killer cults. Nearly all have scared, and isolated their followers into believing that the world is doomed, and they are the only ones to be saved (some good logic that). Basically it creates an artificial fear, which gives us the idea - which then plays on our own natural fears as human beings (basically an artificial fear).

Let us not forget the media (and money of course). Disasters are much more likely to sell stuff to the average Joe. Just look at the newspapers and the "disaster movies" that come around every summer. These guys also have a habit of whipping people up into a frenzy, and getting them to be us congnicent of unnatural fears - even if they do it at a subliminal level.

That's about it for now. If I can think of anything else I'll let you guys know. If anyone else has anything else to add, please do!

Cheers,

R.

In summation 'Fear is the key element'.

IMHO The way to beat fear is through knowledge and education. Then the correct application of such.

Which is why we are here, to lay down a solid ground work f scientific knowledge, de-bunking myths and superstitions so people can browse and understand their own fallacies and fears and hopefully come out the other end as I did, with a more rational outlook on life.

Regards,

Den.