Fear of an uncertain future, spurred by disasters protections put forth by interpretation of the ancient Maya cyclical calendar, have many people clamoring for answers and advice. For example; over the past several months, I've received over 100 e-mails from readers, seeking information on how to survive 2012
.
The general consensus is that on Dec. 21, 2012, when the Maya's "Long Count" calendar ends, the world will be thrown into apocalyptic chaos. Predictions range from polar reversal, shattering earthquakes, massive tidal waves, simultaneous volcanic eruptions, sunspots and sun flares, to peaceful transition into 2013.
The truth is no one knows for certain what will transpire Dec. 21, 2012. Throughout history there have been many predictions of the end of the world, but the end hasn't happened - yet. I put little faith in doomsday predictions or dates - most are nothing more than guesswork motivated by the agenda of the prophesier.
Yet, doomsday predictions for the year 2012 do have at least some validity, backed by scientific evidence, for example; NASA published predictions of a new solar cycle in 2011 or 2012, that it (NASA) says could wreak havoc with the power grid and electronic medium during that time.
I don't know what, if anything, will happen on Dec. 21, 2012 - no one does. My advice is to plan and prep as usual and to be as prepared as possible for whatever the future may hold, whether it be economic collapse
, tyranny, peak-oil
, climate change, infectious disease
or Mayan doomsday
.
What do you think - will Dec. 21, 2012 usher in the end of the world as we know it, or just another day?
.The general consensus is that on Dec. 21, 2012, when the Maya's "Long Count" calendar ends, the world will be thrown into apocalyptic chaos. Predictions range from polar reversal, shattering earthquakes, massive tidal waves, simultaneous volcanic eruptions, sunspots and sun flares, to peaceful transition into 2013.
The truth is no one knows for certain what will transpire Dec. 21, 2012. Throughout history there have been many predictions of the end of the world, but the end hasn't happened - yet. I put little faith in doomsday predictions or dates - most are nothing more than guesswork motivated by the agenda of the prophesier.
Yet, doomsday predictions for the year 2012 do have at least some validity, backed by scientific evidence, for example; NASA published predictions of a new solar cycle in 2011 or 2012, that it (NASA) says could wreak havoc with the power grid and electronic medium during that time.
I don't know what, if anything, will happen on Dec. 21, 2012 - no one does. My advice is to plan and prep as usual and to be as prepared as possible for whatever the future may hold, whether it be economic collapse
, tyranny, peak-oil, climate change, infectious disease or Mayan doomsday.What do you think - will Dec. 21, 2012 usher in the end of the world as we know it, or just another day?
I have a friend who is a die hard 2012'er. He keeps telling me about all of the 2012 predictions, rumors, conspiracies, etc... While I believe that 12/21/12 will be just like any other day, I respect his right to believe what he wants. Therefore I keep telling my friend that he should ALWAYS be prepared. Something might beat us to 2012. A major catastrophe could blow up right in his backyard tomorrow. I'm glad to see that he's past the ammo & Ramen noodles mentality and making some tangible progress at preparations. I don't put any stock in doomsday predictions. Hell, if the Maya could predict the end of the Earth, couldn't they have predicted the end of their own civilization?
FlatSix,
Exactly.
I put a little stock in it. There's evidence that the poles started to shift a couple of years ago. Then there's the sunspot thing. The 2012 election date also comes dangerously close to the Mayan's date. If the dems stay in power who knows what could happen... I'm not really worried about it. It's somewhere on my radar, though. I'll keep my ear to the ground like I always do.
Prepare as usual and hope Uncle Sugar doesn't beat the 12-21-12 date.
The sun's surface has been very calm lately. Perhaps it's the calm before the solar storm. I'm buying solar cells and storing backup electronics in protective Faraday cages.
All the facts point to 2012 being the end. There is nothing you or me can do. we are all going to die. Get right with God read John 3-16.
The hysteria over 2012 and prognosticators such as Nostradamuas really bewilder me.
Here we are in a "civilization" that readily believes such tripe, yet disavows what the Bible has to say on the very same topics.
Totally rediculous belief system in these kind of people, IMO.
Prep, then prep some more, and while we're prepping, let's remember there is much more to life than just the physical world we can see.
Shy III
Stop addressing moronic concerns; it emboldens the idiots. The end of the world came for Maya centuries ago and anyone who would tie the end of their calendar to something biblical is doubly stupid and probably blasphemous. Seriously, we have enough problems to worry about without tying in stone age shamans.
Our money is a joke, our culture is an open sewer and we've antagonized pretty much the rest of the world. Those are the things we need to worry about surviving.
What will happen on 12-21-12? Nothing. Just another day. The Mayan calendar has nothing to do with reality. Nothing!
Now, sunspots are a different matter. The universe will do whatever it wants, whenever it wants.
Wow- what a range of responses. The "doomsday" date will come and go and nothing much will change that's already in the pipe at that time. I find it interesting, however, that some people assault belief in the Mayan thing with blasphemy, engaging in the age-old "My God can kick your God's ass" argument. The god of the Mayans was superstitious nonsense just like the god of the Christians, Jews, Muslims, Protestants,etc... is. Believe what you can see, calculate or prove, not what you wish to be. Maybe some people want to put all of their decisions and responsibilities for their own outcomes in the hands of some mystical, invisible, unprovable, unseen and supernatural being, but I don't. Besides, if you really need mythical creatures, I hear Zeus is available and not very busy these days....
There is no GOD, or we wouldn't have to be concerned in the first place. So reading the novel called the bible wont help you except in as much as any good historical fiction novel would with potentially worthwhile suggestions for prepping. I agree strongly with those who've previously posted, FlatSix and 11/17-Anonymous. Its another day. However as I recall, Zeus and Odin, amongst other deities were known for protecting those they found favor with. I think I'll sacrifice a goat or sheep to each for good measure,...keep all your options open..=) Besides, if there really is something to this doomsday stuff, then this prepping work will teach us what we missed for the next doomsday event..=)
All this controversy just because some stone-cutter ran out of room...
I would like to think that come 2012 people start to acknowledge this nonsense for what it is, and thus ending another old world whose time has long come.
But some damn fools would rather self-fulfill their own destructive prophecies.
That's why some of us are survivalists...
I like to believe that 2012 is just another day on the calendar. I do believe that people will try to fear monger the Mayan prophecy. Prior to the date there will be shortages, riots, and other self fullfilling prophecies that will make the date seem real.
On December 22nd 2012 there are going to be many dissapointed apocalyptians. The people who are smiling will be the book sellers and the movie moguls who made all the money selling the doomsday myth. Relax people, the end of civilization begins with resource depletion, (oil, rare elements, natural gas). Until that takes effect there is no need to worry. After it takes effect then it is too late to worry. Just my $0.02
What if 12/21/12 was the date for the Mayan calender to revert back to day one. Much like our 12/31/??. Just a thought.
21 Dec. 2012 is not just another day...it's my birthday! But to put the Mayan calender in perspective, it's like the odometer on your car; when it 'maxes out', it just starts over.
The Grill Sgt.
If the end comes, then it comes... I have no ability to stop it... I only hope my PV systems, Rainwater system, and food growing system are all intact...
By the way, I like Nostrodomos and his predictiions... especially the one about the 30 year war with Greater Arabia, with the sons of Mohammed... the Greater Arabia include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Israel, Egypt, and a few minor countries..
If we didn't believe something was going to happen then why prepare? I plan to be ready irregardless of the 2012 date.
I SAY PREP TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY,FORGET ABOUT THE END OF TIME DATE,ONLY GOD KNOWS.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD I WILL PRAY FOR YOUR LOST SOUL.FROM JAY IN NC
I have a question;
Before I ask the question, I wanted to mention that independent living, could mean giving up physically delivered mail.... it is well documented that the mail service that has served us well since the 1800's may someday expire due to cost.... and home delivered mail is becoming too costly to keep this old dinosaur alive.
In recent times, I have weened my utility and credit card payments from regular mail delivery to email only.... Using a Computer to Pay Bills is one of my best experiences, it has worked well for me... I not only pay all my credit cards and utility bills from my trailer (no checks, envelops, or stamps), it is easy to do... I was even persuaded to accept on-line 'paperless' statements on my bank account and credit cards. And Bill Paying works good, in reverse, too.... I receive my monthly SS deposit directly to my bank account by computer transfer..
It is getting to the point, that the only regular mail that I still receive are my utility bills, grocery store fliers, Comcast, AT&T wireless ads, insurance ads, and some old age, medical ads... when I cut off the water and electricty services next year, that will eliminate receiving two more utility paper bills... so my personal dependence on home mail delivery would be reduced even more.
I am getting to the point that I may someday, 'not' have a physical mail box...
So my question is, are there any members of this list who does 'not' have a physical mailbox? I wondered if living without a physical mailbox is even possible? There might be a problem with getting a Drivers License (without a home mailbox), but, if one had a bicycle of some kind (electrically assisted, pedal, or both) a driver's license might not be required (and a lot cheaper, with no gasoline, repair, liability and collision insurance costs).
Gig
the calendar in my checkbook ends THIS year!!!! its even more modern than the mayan calendar. you have 6 weeks until the end of the world as we know it
Gig- in Illinois, we can renew our license plates and such online, so I guess you wouldn't need the mailbox, depending on your state's laws. Besides, you still have an address, mailbox or not, so it shouldn't matter. You'll just need to stay on top of things so you don't miss any critical dates due to not being notified via snail mail. General delivery or a rental mailbox is always an option; check it once in a great while and you'll be fine.
My thing is, I can't wait to get rid of the &*$(*#&$ telephone and cell phones.
The end of civilization would be the partial loss or more of electricty and all that it runs . The guy pushing a shopping cart filled with sticks and aluminum cans will not know about any such " end of civilization " . The guy who drives a car and finds out electricity runs the gas pumps will cry alot , then cry some more . Crazy Joe in South Jersey
These idea of catastrophe on 21 December 2012 is preposterous. It's 5 March 2016.
My personal feelings are no one knows what the next day - or second - holds for them, so I agree, M.D., constant preparedness is best. We DID live through Y2K - maybe we'll survive 2012.
I think an important concept is what I call "cross preparedness", sort of like cross-training. Being prepared for one type of disaster makes you prepared for many others with just a little extra gear/knowledge. I live 990 feet from the Atlantic Ocean in a hurricane zone, so for decades I've had to prepared to evacuate/ride out the storm/live with no power or running water for weeks/face armed looters when police cannot be summoned (falling trees take phone lines out). It takes just a little extra gear to be at least somewhat prepared for, say, a terrorist dirty bomb attack on the naval base two miles north of me.
Just my two cents, but I wouldn't become too dependent on the internet. For it to work, there has to be electricity, a working connection to your home, working servers, all the same things working wherever you want to send your message/payment/whatever too, and it's pretty well accepted many groups are working on mass viral attacks and other types of cyber-warfare to shut down the internet in the U.S. in case of serious trouble - or just some rogue hackers playing a "prank".
Final comment - my wife is Filipino, and the Philippines have just been hit by four horrendous typhoons in a row. In many ways, they did better than the U.S. would, because so much of what they rely on is low tech - how would the U.S. have fared with four Katrinas in six weeks? A bicycle that got submerged in water still runs after being dried out and maybe a little oil (and not necessarily $12 an ounce bicycle lube we buy from bicycle specialty stores - maybe some used crankcase oil). I have a saying - "think survival - think Third World - low tech".
As far as I'm concerned, the world ended on Election Night, 2008.
Mother Earth will take care of herself and get rid of the beings that are damaging her. She has survived a long time and I doubt she will suddenly have a hissy fit on 12/21/12.
one big nice solar flare will do the trick. Sunspot activity has been at an all time low this year. Have only seen one so far. We are coming up on a new solar cycle that will see a big increase in solar activity. If one does not fry us, it will bring down most of the electrical grid, throw us back to the early 1800s(not a bad thing in my opinion). One thing for sure, if something like that was to happen don't look to the government for help.
TMJ
I think the end as told in Mona clee's book Overshoot comes closer to what may happen than hollywoods spectacular. Power and water will stop working, not all at once but will be interupted, more and more often till it just quits. Things we take for granted like soap, cleaners and toilet paper will get harder and harder to find. The only food for sale will be from your area, and only what the producer can spare. In short not with a bang, but with a wimper
12/21/12, to me, means that I don't have to worry about Christmas shopping that year. I can do that!
Bear
I am going to put a reminder in my memo pad to stay in the bunker that week.
http://www.red-dot-scopes.com/
I am gonna make sure I stay in my bunker that week.
http://www.red-dot-scopes.com/
I'm not sure.
I'm pretty convinced that the Mayan calendar just starts over, much like our annual calendar does from 12/31 to 1/1 - from what I have learned, the Mayan calendar is based on the 12 signs and the placement of the Earth and solar system as it rotates around the center of our galaxy (see, back then they could actually see most of the visible stars and they had a few thousand years to pass down their observations).
Of course, one never knows for sure, until it happens, so being prepared for anything is always the best bet. Sadly, far too many people have become accustomed to living life as a consumer, and taking care of themselves is a foreign concept to be sure. Those are the people we are preparing against.
I worry more about the possibility of Obama being reelected than I do about the Mayan Calender coming to an end in 2012.
I just realized that my planner ends on june 30th 2010! clearly time and the world as we know it stops just because my calendar stops. Has anyone considered that maybe the mayans just thought that a calendar that went thousands of years in the future was good enough for the time being?
all of you people saying that god is a myth and that you should only believe in things that you can prove should know that nearly everything in science are just theory and speculation waiting to be disproved. If I believed only what I can see I would say that I don't believe that any of you atheists have brains. I've never seen them and there definitely isn't any evidence of them.
Some of these people remind me of those poor souls outside of Noah's ARC in the rain or those poeple in the 1930's Warsaw ghettos saying "Nothing is going to happen, we are too smart". You know it has already happened before. But dying isn't so bad if you are ready for it.
What's the point in worrying about things you are not 100% sure of, or do not have absolute knowledge about? That's right, no point in worrying. Consider your children/loved ones and give them the best things in life that they deserve before this poxy date occurs, that way IF it does happen at least you did your best by your kids. If it doesn't happen, then hey! they had all that precious time with you that they will never forget. Live for today....tomorrow never comes 'Rock on People'