THE END OF THE WORLD

According to an ancient Mayan calendar on December 21st, 2012, the world end. The calendar will then reset itself to 0.0.0.0.

There are all sorts of scenarios for the end of the world. A meteor or asteroid will hit us. Economic chaos will occur. Some speculate we could suffer from a polar shift which has happened before. Others suggest global warming, War and destruction. Armageddon.

The Mayans were a primitive people with advanced mathematical skills. Some people speculate that they calculated future events through the use of some sort of computational gadget powered by quartz crystals.

Modern computers are not predicting the end of the world on December 21st, 2012 so why do so many people worry about the Mayan predictions? What is it about ancient prophesy that fascinates us? Why do we ignore our modern scientific knowledge and rely on the past to predict our future?

The end of the world has been on the table for as long as man has stumbled around the earth. Religion often relies on our fragile mortality to convince us to open our minds and believe in some sort of deity that will protect us from catastrophe. Some believe crystal trinkets and other paraphernalia will protect them from impending doom. They suggest this stuff sets up an energy field that surrounds us and guides our lives.

Most of us find it hard to accept that enveloping ourselves in unusual rituals will protect us from harm. Others swear that their lives have been enriched and enlightened by these ancient practices. I suppose if you believe something works, like the vengeful spell cast by a witch doctor, you'll feel the effects of this curse on your well being.

Science says the end of the world will come when the sun begins to expand and consumes our planet. Others are worried about all out nuclear war. It's a matter of how the world will end and not when. Seven billion years could pass before the sun expands. Nuclear war, always a possibility, is held captive by mutually assured destruction. If I send missiles your way, you'll do the same to me. Neither of us will survive. Your philosophy won't prevail and mine won't either. All that'll be left will be soot and ash.

Getting whacked by an asteroid is a real possibility. Every day we learn more about these huge remnants of the big bang and their proximity to Earth.

If you want to know how the world will end I'd pitch the calendar and get a telescope.