A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, I turned 22. Big whoop, right? Many of us have or are destined to turn 22, so it’s hardly special. That is, except for the day that my birthday fell on. Y’see, I turned 22 on the 22nd of the 2nd… and yes, even though I failed maths and generally suck with numbers beyond basic addition and subtraction, I knew that it was a pretty cool once-in-a-lifetime experience (literally).
But what was a trippy happenstance to me was a whole lot more meaningful to a friend who explained that the uniqueness of that particular number alignment meant that I was sure to receive epic things on that day. And while I didn’t buy into her particular mindset, a part of me couldn’t help but hope that the day of 2s would prove her right.
The day ended without much bravado.
Which brings us neatly to yesterday: the 10th day of the 10th month in the year 2010. Although a similar once-in-our-lifetime neat alignment of numbers, the day came and went in much the same way that my 22nd birthday did: without much noticeable hoo-ha.
This got me thinking about the big approaching day of significance that most of us will already fall on one side or the other of: the 21st of December, 2012 (or the end of the Mayan calendar if you prefer). For me, I don’t believe that the day will end with the end of the world, but I’ve met people who do. And, strangely enough, these types of people weren’t all the usual conspiracy-theory types (you know what I mean). Some of these people were very scientifically-minded folk who logically explained the reasons behind their convictions, and it was hard to dismiss them as crazy conspiracy theorists.
What I do believe is a possibility—especially if there are enough people who believe this date holds some apocalyptic significance—is the chance that some sort of mass hysteria might create an event. Not some natural disaster such as that depicted in the film 2012, but a social event where those who believe something like this will happen cause some sort of pandemonium because of the strength of their beliefs.
What do you believe?
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How does this keep coming up? Ok, so some people who aren’t complete conspiracy theorist nuts believe in this. That does not give it any credence! There are scientific explanations for the mayan calendar, such as the mayans like many ancient cultures, had EYES. These eyes, looked up at the stars. They worked out that the stars would go through an “age” approximately every 2000 years.
I explained that with too much anger… to rephrase:
The Mayans developed a calendar that was based upon astronomical observations. The figured they would be around for a while, so extended the calendar out to a significant date, which is when their calendar would start again, i.e, at the beginning of the next age.
None of this is at all different than if I went ahead and created a calendar that ended 200 odd million years from now, when the solar system had completed one orbit of the milky way. I wouldn’t be doing this because something momentous will occur after an orbit is completed, I would be doing this because once the orbit was completed, I COULD GO BACK TO THE START OF MY CALENDAR!
I think people just get bored by simple explanations of things. One of the many reasons why I hate humans.