12/21/2012: Your opinions?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I've made it a point to learn about this stuff (admittedly, this kind of talk makes me anxious.)

What we in our linear-based society fail to comprehend is the Mayan Calendar was cyclical. If you look at graphic portrayals of it, the calendar is actually a circle. In fact, we are in the middle of the third cycle. On that date, the cycle simply starts over. People who have no connections or real knowledge of the Mayan culture misinterpreted the calendar and projected their own beliefs onto that date.

Now, there is (supposedly) a prophecy of sorts that says whenever the calendar cycles there is some kind of fundamental shift in humanity. That I could actually see. I don't think it will be a wam-bam overnight thing, but if we look at how quickly technology is changing, I believe we are in the beginnings of such a shift right now and it's more of an ongoing process. But I don't think it has to be anything catastrophic, just a paradigm shift in the way we interact with the world. Not saying it's going to happen, just that I would think that is more likely than this end of the world nonsense.

 

[FireDancer]

Now, there is (supposedly) a prophecy of sorts that says whenever the calendar cycles there is some kind of fundamental shift in humanity. That I could actually see. I don't think it will be a wam-bam overnight thing, but if we look at how quickly technology is changing, I believe we are in the beginnings of such a shift right now and it's more of an ongoing process. But I don't think it has to be anything catastrophic, just a paradigm shift in the way we interact with the world. Not saying it's going to happen, just that I would think that is more likely than this end of the world nonsense.

That is when the robots turn on us and Tom Merrit is proved correct.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Only people who listen to Buzz Out Loud will get that, and I may be the only one. Sometimes we just have to amuse ourselves though I guess.

 

[Stacerita]

Personally I believe that the Mayan calender ended at 2012 because the Mayan culture ended.

Or maybe they got tired of making the calender, or maybe someone lost the second half

I don't think anything will happen. If it does there isn't anything I or anyone else will do to stop the end of the world so I am not going to worry about it.

I'm pretty sure the Mayan calendar ended then because it just had to end somewhere. Those things were carvings and at some point you have to put down the hammer and chisel, don't you? It isn't like today when you can write an algorithm to write dates and let it churn away for eternity writing to disks.

Exactly, it had to end somewhere.

My 10 year annv is 12/21/12. I better ask for that ten year diamond on the 20th

Now that's good planning.

Just the thought of cannibalism makes me
Really, the documentary was interesting and freakish.

It's not that there will be a big bang and end it for all of us. That sounds nice compared to what these people are saying.

Do I believe it?
Well, I dont know. I also bought firewood for Y2K incase all the power went out and I still have that stack of wood....

I dont want to have to eat any of you kind folks though. So I hope it's false.

Yeah, the thought of canabalism is pretty nasty. I always wonder though, what if you actually taste good

I've made it a point to learn about this stuff (admittedly, this kind of talk makes me anxious.)

What we in our linear-based society fail to comprehend is the Mayan Calendar was cyclical. If you look at graphic portrayals of it, the calendar is actually a circle. In fact, we are in the middle of the third cycle. On that date, the cycle simply starts over. People who have no connections or real knowledge of the Mayan culture misinterpreted the calendar and projected their own beliefs onto that date.

Now that makes more sense.

 

[wdwfan16]

How much will you give me for a house and a slightly used SUV?

How about $10 for both.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Apparently I missed all this. repost this thread on 12/13/2012 and I'll let you know

 

[wdwfan16]

I've made it a point to learn about this stuff (admittedly, this kind of talk makes me anxious.)

What we in our linear-based society fail to comprehend is the Mayan Calendar was cyclical. If you look at graphic portrayals of it, the calendar is actually a circle. In fact, we are in the middle of the third cycle. On that date, the cycle simply starts over. People who have no connections or real knowledge of the Mayan culture misinterpreted the calendar and projected their own beliefs onto that date.

Now, there is (supposedly) a prophecy of sorts that says whenever the calendar cycles there is some kind of fundamental shift in humanity. That I could actually see. I don't think it will be a wam-bam overnight thing, but if we look at how quickly technology is changing, I believe we are in the beginnings of such a shift right now and it's more of an ongoing process. But I don't think it has to be anything catastrophic, just a paradigm shift in the way we interact with the world. Not saying it's going to happen, just that I would think that is more likely than this end of the world nonsense.

What were the other two shifts?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I honestly couldn't tell you. I didn't go seriously in depth. Just enough to get a basic grasp. I was more concentrating on the future implications than the "facts" of the past.

 

[Sorsha]

Ok guys, I was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist church (run away FAST). Waaaaaay back in the day, before the Adventist church began, there were the Millerites. Their leader, William Miller, was obsessed with figuring out when the world would end, via the second coming of Christ, and he ended up dragging the masses into his obsession with him.

Over the course of a year or two, many different dates were named for the end of the world. And after each date came and passed without incident, a new date would be "discovered". Each time, many people became convinced that this was IT, so they sold their possessions, quit their jobs, and basically tried to be As Good As Possible so they would be ready when the end of the world arrived. And each time, they would find themselves homeless, out of work, and disappointed.

From Wikipedia: October 22, that day of great hope and promise, ended like any other day to the disappointment of the Millerites. Both Millerite leaders and followers were left generally bewildered and disillusioned. Responses varied: some Millerites continued to look daily for Christ’s return, others predicted different dates—among them April, July, and October 1845. Some theorized that the world had entered the seventh millennium, the “Great Sabbath”, and that, therefore, the saved should not work. Others acted as children, basing their belief on Jesus’ words in Mark 10:15, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” O. J. D. Pickands used Revelation 14:14-16 to teach that Christ was now sitting on a white cloud, and must be prayed down. Probably the majority however, simply gave up their beliefs and attempted to rebuild their lives.

Always, as a child, when I was told this story, I pictured a bunch of grown men, standing about in their untended fields, staring intently at the sky, waiting in vain for the shiny white cloud and the trumpets, and wondering what had gone wrong. I always felt sorry for them.

As an adult, though I have thrown off my old religion, I still think back to that story whenever I hear someone espousing an end-of-world belief. I refuse to sell my house and stand out in my fields staring up at the sky. 'Cuz nothing ever happens.

 

[MuskratSusie]

 

[wdwfan16]

I honestly couldn't tell you. I didn't go seriously in depth. Just enough to get a basic grasp. I was more concentrating on the future implications than the "facts" of the past.

If the past two shifts were nothing major or did not happen that would have bearing on how accurate their prediction is. It is obvious that the last two did not result in the extinction of man.

 

[teacups]

How about $10 for both.

Well in this economy you might be overpaying!

 

[rie'smom]

If it happens, it happens.
However, you have to ask yourself, if the Mayans were so good at predictions, why did they think Cortez and his men were gods? Why didn't they know that these guys were coming over to conquer them?

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Its making for a good story arc on Supernatural this year.

 

[tar heel]

It's the kind of thing I used to really worry about a lot . . . when I was about 12. I can honestly say I don't know a single person who has given this a thought. I think my friends would if I asked them if they were worried. I certainly would if they asked me.

 

[disney1990]

I saw the trailer for 2012 in the theater today, it looks intense.

 

[AshleyW]

I saw the trailer for 2012 in the theater today, it looks intense.

Agreed! If nothing else, at least it looks like all of this will make for a good movie.

Here's the trailer, if anyone's interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz86TsGx3fc