A giant meteor, technologically advanced aliens, zombies, a massive volcano creating an earthquake resulting in a global tidal wave, Y2K, the rapture.
These are just a few of the fantastical interpretations for the end of days. As per usual, Hollywood and the American media have capitalized on this craze. A common factor in this genre of movies is the short amount of time between the discovery or climax and the inevitable end. It’s usually anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days depending on the main characters’ obstacles (see ‘John Cusack’s ability to drive through a crumbling L.A. in a limo’). There is little time to prepare or pray for the end of the human race. Luckily, these are purely fictional accounts. If the world does come to an end, we will have plenty of warning.
Hmmmm……
According to the ancient Maya’s scripture, the fourth and final world will come to an end on December 21, 2012. The Great Cycle of the Long Count will be completed. There are many historians on both sides of and straddling the fence. Yes, the Maya calendar is finished on this date, but according to NASA that doesn’t mean the “Maya calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012.” NASA gives us hope for the future by adding, “…another long count begins.”
Whew. Thanks for clearing up another doomsday prophesy, NASA! For more debunked theories, check out 2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won’t End on their FAQs page http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html
However, one cannot help but wonder why there are so many movies, scams, and media-hype surrounding the end of life as we know it. An asteroid did hit the Earth over 50 billion years ago causing the extinction of most sentient creatures. The probability of 15 kilometer rock entering Earth’s atmosphere is ~0.00000002. Risk-ed.org is a website using math to predict the likelihood of certain outcomes, such as the chance of injuring yourself during a badminton game. http://www.risk-ed.org/pages/risk/asteroid_prob.htm If you are in any way paranoid or polyphobic, DO NOT venture to this website.
But, for those doomsayers who are eager to survive us all, there is a [somewhat useful] check-list and available resources to help prepare you and your family for various global disasters.
Sites such as www.endoftheworldbackpack.com provide recommendations for items to stock up on. Some are quite practical: a gallon of water, a whistle, baby formula. Yet, if the world is ending, I doubt travelers checks, a cell phone or ID cards will be necessary. For those pious minded pet lovers, you can pay $135 (and $20 for each additional pet) to have a true atheist take care of your pet on this earthly plane when the rapture occurs. Go to http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/ to have “peace of mind” for your animal.
Now, for those of you who are uncertain, but don’t feel the need to prepare yourself, update your bucket list! The usual favorites have always been shark diving, sky diving or telling someone you love him or her. Why not try something YOU want to do? Write a children’s book, try learning Chinese or work out more. What better way to ring in the end of the world than with a new you! It will be like New End Resolution.
Regardless of what you believe, there is so much to contemplate. If you think the world will come to an end in your lifetime, don’t fret! Remember misery loves company. You’re bound to find someone who will worry with you. For those with doubts, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Sign Sparkles up for an amazing adventure in the post-rapture world. But, for those who just don’t care about the apocalypse, I’ll see you on December 22nd.
