The ancient people measured time in cycles called "baktuns" of 394 years each, and the winter solstice coming Friday marks the end of the 13th baktun. Some who study the calendar say the date for the end of the period is not Friday, but Sunday.The Mayan calendar is based on the position of the heavenly bodies -- the sun, the moon and the stars -- and was meant to tell the Mayan people about agricultural and economic trends, said archaeologist Alfredo Barrera...The hubbub about a calamity occurring comes from a Mayan stone carving called monument 6, made in 700 A.D., which predicts a major event at the end of this baktun, Barrera said. But half of the broken tablet is missing, so one may only speculate on what the complete message may be.
Whatever it is, it's not about the end of the world, he said. "We don't have a prophecy or inscription related to the finish of the world. It just mentioned a deity."Barrera said he believes the hullabaloo about the end of the world has been whipped up by online speculation -- and he finds it a bit ignorant...In Merida(, Mexico), Mayan priest Valerio Canche conducts an ancient ritual to honor the dead in light of the upcoming end of the 13th baktun. "It is considered the closure of the great cycle of Mayan time," he said. "But, of course, the cycle (14th baktun) begins the following day. For the Mayans, it's not the end of the world."
Meanwhile, my friend Andrew and his wife Brenda are hosting an "End of the World Party" tonight for several of their friends. They figure it's a good excuse to get together and spend some time together -- just in case.
On top of that, the Gazette is asking its readers what final meals they would like to treat themselves to on the final day of humanity. I saw everything from taco pizza to funnel cakes to pasta to burgers to BBQ ribs & cheesy potatoes. Frankly, I was surprised that people weren't seeking more exotic offerings.
And the Iowa City Patch posted a link to a 6.39 minute video titled "David Heffner: Reluctant Apocalypticist". It shows some of the steps an Iowa City man has gone to create his own survivalist hidey-hole.
It's easy to mock the apocalypse. After all, every predicted apocalypse has left us high and dry. But one can't help wondering if this apocalypse is gonna be the one that rocks our world -- literally.
On the other hand, life will end for each and everyone of us eventually. Probably not all at once, but one at a time. That's our fate. We get born. We get a few years to experience life. And then we die. And for some of us -- assuming that 12/21/12 isn't the actual end of the world for all of us -- tomorrow will be the end of the world for some of us. Because of old age. Because of illness. Because of car accident. Because of gunshot. Etc. Etc.
Let the mock apocalypse instruct you. Don't wait until some prophesied end-of-world to appreciate your life and the people in it. Enjoy a good meal. Spend time with your friends or family. Learn a new skill that will enrich your brief existence. Because tomorrow (or some other tomorrow that you likely will least likely suspect) will be your personal apocalypse. And who wants to end the world with regrets?
On top of that, the Gazette is asking its readers what final meals they would like to treat themselves to on the final day of humanity. I saw everything from taco pizza to funnel cakes to pasta to burgers to BBQ ribs & cheesy potatoes. Frankly, I was surprised that people weren't seeking more exotic offerings.
And the Iowa City Patch posted a link to a 6.39 minute video titled "David Heffner: Reluctant Apocalypticist". It shows some of the steps an Iowa City man has gone to create his own survivalist hidey-hole.
It's easy to mock the apocalypse. After all, every predicted apocalypse has left us high and dry. But one can't help wondering if this apocalypse is gonna be the one that rocks our world -- literally.
On the other hand, life will end for each and everyone of us eventually. Probably not all at once, but one at a time. That's our fate. We get born. We get a few years to experience life. And then we die. And for some of us -- assuming that 12/21/12 isn't the actual end of the world for all of us -- tomorrow will be the end of the world for some of us. Because of old age. Because of illness. Because of car accident. Because of gunshot. Etc. Etc.
Let the mock apocalypse instruct you. Don't wait until some prophesied end-of-world to appreciate your life and the people in it. Enjoy a good meal. Spend time with your friends or family. Learn a new skill that will enrich your brief existence. Because tomorrow (or some other tomorrow that you likely will least likely suspect) will be your personal apocalypse. And who wants to end the world with regrets?