Please note once again, Ryst, that I made this thread not because I actually believe that the world will end, but because it gives us another reason to fantasise about the future. Or to fantasise in general, which we are fond of, being on this site... right?

I personally don't believe that the world will end, nor do I doubt that the poles of the earth will shift, causing chaos and destruction. I also like the version Admiral named: apparently there would be complete understanding between men and women... what more do we want!

I could go for a beer if you're offering?

But this whole end of the world thing get's kind of annoying after the 3rd or 4th time it fails to come true.

"The world didn't end in 1999!" "Quick, add 10 years or so and say you typoed!"
I imagine when it doesn't end in 2012 it will end in around 2022 next time. I mean, all those 2's have to be up to something.

...something...evil...

It does say something for the state of mental health in some parts of the globe, that people keep on predicting the world would end.

I take it predictions of fairies being real and pink, flying elephants materializing out of the ether are out of season?

First, I said nothing about the end of the world. Your interpretation of my words is exactly that which you attribute to others placing on the words of Nostradzmus. I think I'm flattered ...

Although I agree with your assessment of Nostradamus' rantings, he did predict an upheaval at the beginning of the second millenium.

As does the Mayan calendar (and most Native American philosophies), but The Mayan calendar is more specific as to the date.

Neither prediction heralds the end of the world, just the end of the world as we know it to be.

A "re-arrangement of the order of things"? Maybe.

A general upheaval and/or a new beginning? Possibly.

Hints of "cyclic purging" by nature or a "higher power"?

It may also be something as simple as the last bastion of "hyper-arrogant freedom" going down the tubes and being replaced by -- something else. A "wake-up call"? ...

A) Assessment of the Mayans' predictive power stands. They couldn't predict the end of their own civilization, why would you believe any other prediction they supposedly made.

B) There is no Mayan prediction about what happens in 2012 beyond the calendar rolling over.

C) Nostradamus predicted nothing. Ever. Period. People claiming that the scribblings of his later life mean anything are insulting the man's actual accomplishments.

D) The 2012 is making a bold claim that they (read: you) have any idea whatsoever of what's going to happen in the future, so how's about you back it up? Why in the universe do you accept the predictive power of a people I'd bet dollars to donuts you know next to nothing about? What reason could you possibly have to believe that any such prediction was even made, much less believe that it's going to come true? Have you read Nostradamus's writings? (The original, not a translation.) Have you studied the Mayans and their culture and history? Are you doing anything other than taking some New Age website at its word and trusting them not to be lying and/or completely mistaken?

Let's think back to grade school, here. Remember those critical thinking excercises? From whence cometh your information, and why do you trust it so much?

RK? I think JJ just did a "gotcha" ...

I don't remember, after reading it multiple times, that he said anything about believing anything. He seemed to be just throwing out ... ummm ... stuff.

JJmike: Since you are new, you have to understand that Ryst has a habit of being a knowitall, who loves discussions but doesn't listen. You can choose to react to his latest post, but I would advice you to ignore it and move on to better things in life.

And Ryst, there's a difference between being smart and being rude. You're on the edge. Please understand that other people have opinions too, ok?

I can't quite fathom why people predict these sorts of things, but here are my two cents regarding 'Armageddon Predictions'.

First cent) These sorts of things (predictions in particular) have a lot to do on the foundation of belief. If you believe that something is going to happen, then, sometimes unconsciously, things are done that ensures that it will happen. Likewise, the opposite is true. This is where the term 'self-fulfilling prophecy' comes into play. Even if one believes it's fate, that doesn't mean one cannot choose to go against it, to bring about a different future.

Second cent) The nature of endings holds within them new beginnings. The end of a day is the beginning of another. A star's explosion provides the material for a new one to be born. I won't go into death and such, because that depends on what one believes, but wouldn't it make sense if they followed the same lines? Just because one 'world' ends doesn't mean it is the end. If I continue my thought, it would mean the beginning of another 'world', or perhaps the ending of one 'world' provides a catalyst for the other, new 'world' to develop.

Just my two cents...

Well, at least two people recognised my post for what it was.

But to answer RK's question: I am a student (still) of anthropology with a special interest in cultural history. My particular interest is the Mayan culture. To that end, I hava an extensive library of well-published but little-read books from which text is seldom quoted. This is chiefly because the content goes against the typically-held wisdoms ...

I need go no further. Sorry, all, for the jabs.

If the world ends, is beer free in heaven?

No they only have the non-alcoholic stuff sadly.

Pack a box with the makin's fer a still. A big one.

This one can distill some stuff that'd "make de jackrabbit jomp up an' slap de beah !"

Smooth as glass, and kicks like a drunk mule.

The post above me is the most wonderful off topic post I have ever read.

It wasn't meant to be off-topic. It tollows the mention of:

Beer in heaven? and,

Non-alcoholic only ...

Thus eliciting the suggestion of smugling in a still ...

A simple, logical progression, in my estimation.

Beer in Heaven?! Sounds good to me. The problime is that the local heat will impound the wounderful still and make us drink the non-alky stuff.

back on topic, I'm a thinkin that it means a change, an end to the current order of things. Not that everything will end up in the Pacific Ocean.