Thursday, January 26, 2012

Apocalypse How?

Years ago, in my high school astronomy class, my teacher (“Mrs. R-4-Short”) told us of an astronomical event called “the great convergence” that was occurring, where all 9 planets (yes, there were 9 of them then) of our solar system would be in perfect alignment. This was deemed by some to be a sign of impending doom, that our solar system and perhaps our universe would be destroyed. I took this as a sign to hold a party, indeed “the end of the world party.” The party happened, I had my first vodka drunk (no hangover, though), but the world kept on spinning.

And then there was Y2K. Yawn. We all seem to have survived that close call.

More recently there was Harold Camping. He predicted more than once in 2011 that the world would end. It didn’t. He recalculated, gave a new date. The world didn’t end. He tried again. Nope. We’re still here. I guess he must feel kinda silly about that.

But now, we are coming up on December 21, 2012.

According to the Mayans, who have never been known to lie, and were apparently always right about everything (thus the success of their empire) have predicted that the world will instead end on December 21st of this year.

Here’s a site that will fill you in on everything you need to know so you can start panicking now.

http://www.december212012.com/

But—how will the world end? There is some debate about this, and no one seems to know for sure.

All I know is that stories about the end of the world are big entertainment. The first apocalyptic story I was exposed to was “Night of the Living Dead.” Then there was Godzilla, Mad Max and “I am Legend” and “The Stand” and even “The Road.” All stories about death, destruction and the waning of humankind. And I like them all. So much so that in my own two books (in progress) I am trying to kill the human race, or rather demons and vampires are. Good times, good times.

So will the world end in 2012? It seems about as likely as the last few attempts to kill us off noted above. BUT, if the world must end, you might as well have a say in it.

End of the World Survey Here

(I will post the results when I am able)


A suitable poem about world ending:

The Horses by Edwin Muir

My wish for you:
Live (and write) like the Mayan’s might be right. It's not that long until December.

2 comments:

Lisa said...

whee! fun survey - great poem

Jon said...

I voted for myself.