2012: The End of the World?

December 9, 2011

With the year 2011 coming to an end, some people have begun to wonder about the new year. Many are beginning to think about New Year’s resolutions. But, others might be planning for the end of the world.

The year 2012 is said to be the year the world ends because it marks the end of the Mayan calendar. Many have become obsessed with this doomsday theory. Songs and movies have been made based on this, our last year. In 2009, the film 2012 by Roland Emmerich was released into theaters. The movie portrays a man struggling to protect his family while the Earth declines to chaos in the face of rising flood waters. In 2010, the song “2012” by Jay Sean and featuring Nicki Minaj was released. Jay Sean urges people on to party “like it’s 2012.” Yeah, OK. Whatever that means.

The most recent prediction that the world would end came on May 21, 2011. Harold Camping, a Christian radio channel broadcaster, announced that the rapture would begin on May 21, 2011. The prediction caused hysteria among some believers. Several people gave up their life savings and reports of suicides were reported on the days leading up to May 21.

Throughout history, many have predicted the end of the world. But here we are. These predictions have come and gone. The 2012 theory may soon be added to the list of false predictions. Could the world end on December 21, 2012? I dunno. Ask the dinosaurs.