Off The Planet?

[Mike21]

I guess some of you have heard about the concerns of the Mayan calendar predicting the end of the world (as we know it) on the Summer Equinox (Sthn Hemis) of 2012. To add weight to his arguement, the last believer I spoke to commented vaguely on passing from one "geometric phase or epoch" with respect to the Galactic Centre, to another. Are there any galactic oppositions, or galactic eclipses, or phases changes due for December 2012 that any members are aware of?

I'm interested to know if the aformentioned believer has any astronimical basis for his claim.

[renormalised]

No....it's just typical "New Age" hype and misconstruing of an old Mayan belief and calendar system. It's true that the Mayans had some foreboding about the end points of various things, calculations and observations, however they made no predictions themselves about the date, other than their calendar for this period would come to it's conclusion on 23 Dec 2012. No big deal. Here's a couple of sites that might clear things up...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Doomsday_prediction

Most of this "Doomsday" and "Armageddon" stuff is just your typical Judeo-Christian nonsense mixed in with some Eastern philosophical ramblings (that most people don't understand, anyway).

[mac]

Unfortunately this is not the case with this 2012 garbage. It has nothing to do with Judeo-Christian beliefs, or even remote similarities to their usual armageddon theories. And because of this, it is gaining interest from people who otherwise would not subscribe to such theories.

[renormalised]

It has more to do with that mindset than you realise. People are by and large rather gullible when it comes to this sort of stuff because they don't think for themselves. Most people just think..."Oh, if they say so it must be true". That's why the world is in the mess it is. No one takes responsibility for themselves and want a "higher power" to come and "save" them. Quite frankly, the only thing they need saving from is their own stupidity.

[mac]

I'm not disagreeing with your point about mindsets at all. Simply pointing out that the 2012 theories do not originate from Judeo-Christian ideas. :)

[renormalised]

True....but I was alluding to what sort of mindset it was by quoting the sort of belief system that promulgates this sort of rubbish. You get enough of them turn up on your doorstep everyday, trying their little spiels and conversion tactics. I wish they'd find something more productive to do with their lives than sprout dubious ideas and philosophies.

[Blue Skies]

I did some research into this last year in an attempt to debunk the conspiracy theory. The "galactic alignment" part is the weakest of all the arguements, as it actually happened back in the late 1990's! I can't find the page that was so helpful to me back then right now, but I'll post it if I stumble across it again. Basically it can be shown that the sun, having such a large angular size in the sky, will be in 'alignment' with the galactic centre over several decades, and it was centred over the exact alignment about a decade a go.

[Mike21]

I was sure that one or two of you would know what I was talking about. The 2nd Wikipaedia link from Normalised, has a chapter on the Galaxy alignment. That wouldn't be a start on locating the web page you were referring to would it Jacquie? I appreciate your efforts guys.

[Blue Skies]

No, unfortunately. I've had a look at that Wiki page but the links don't go to where I'm thinking, although they do give the late 1990's date as around 1998. Anyway, the whole thing is a lot of hyped up nonsense, so just don't take it seriously, whatever you read. I'm still planning on having a nice Christmas on the 25th Dec that year and cruising onwards to 2013.

[seanliddelow]

It will be humorous to watch everyone get scared over nothing:P. I should have a "End of the world party".

[astroron]

What excuse do these people who follow this non sense say when all this Mumbo- Jumbo fails to happen:shrug:
The Clowns who spread this sort of crap give me the willies:mad2:
We have been promised the end of the world so many times it's become a complete Joke.

[renormalised]

You'd think they'd wake up to themselves and start to question what they believe, but it seems that in their infinite stupidity they find some rationalisation to hang onto their warped beliefs. How hollow (and shallow) can you get.

[astroron]

Von Danakin(spelling) made his millions with books and video's then retired to his mansion never to be heard of again:D
But he left a legacy of myths and fables which people still believe in today:screwy:

[TrevorW]

What's the point of worrying about it, if it happens the likes of us probably wouldn't even be considered in a rescue plan if there was one. Nah!! I'd just get drunk do all those things I shouldn't and then stick my head between my legs and kiss my A>R>S>E goodbye

Have fun

[renormalised]

How true....most of us are too independently minded to be considered for a rescue plan, simply because the "powers that be" now would be making sure they survived, and they'd want a collection of lackeys from the "great unwashed" they know they could rule over and hoodwink easily. We'd be too reactionary for them...and dangerous:P:D

[Esseth]

What they do is quietly ignore the fact they were wrong and miraculously re-interpret the books, scrolls and myths and come up with a brand new date to worry everyone all over again.


Look out for the end of the world in 2020!!

[Stuart78]

This made the history channel, they made a full doco on it:shrug:
i might have an end of world party and get drunk anyhow sounds like good fun hehehe....:lol:

[renormalised]

Everyone seems to go for 21 Dec 2012, when in actual fact, the Mayan Long Count finishes up on the 23rd...so, party hard for 2 days (21-23 Dec) and if nothing happens, keep partying:P:D:D

You watch what happens in 2012...you'll never hear the end of it. People will be talking about it all year. There'll be TV shows devoted to it nearly every 2nd week, and it'll be bedlam for the week or so beforehand. You'll get your loony fringe topping themselves and all the other wacko nuts going into overdrive. Watch what happens when nothing happens:P:D:D

But if it does, well they can say "told you so!!!" and we'll all be none the wiser:P:D:D

[seanliddelow]

Theres also a movie on it now. I dont want to see it cause it looks to depressing:P . I hope there would be a bad astronomy review by Phil Plait about it.

[renormalised]

I'll be going to see the movie....it'll be a bit of escapist fun:D

[Blue Skies]

I had to sit through the trailer to it twice at the cinemas the other day. :rolleyes: The best description I've seen of it so far has been "disaster porn." :rofl: I have to admit the special effects were really something but really... :rolleyes: How often does the world come to an end these days?

[renormalised]

At least once a day during the week and twice on Sunday's:P:D:D

[Blue Skies]

:lol: My point exactly!

[seanliddelow]

December 21 2012 will be a fun day and a hard day to get grocerys;).

[Redshift]

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip.

[TrevorW]

It all depends on your point of view

[hulloleeds]

If the (human) concept of "start" and "end" had never been "invented", religion would not exist and our scientists would likely be hundreds of years ahead of their work.

Everything about religion is designed to comfort those who fear "the end", when in fact it seems more scientifically likely that "the end" is actually the biggest lie of all and we're all swimming in an infinite quantum sea of probability.

(If there are any of you who disagree with me and concept is valid, I will at some stage of time and space (ie, statistically possible therefore a certainty) have relations with your mother in retribution :lol:).