Voolavex

Junk Science. Gospel Truth. Down for the Long Count September 15, 2009

The year 2012 is mentioned a lot lately and it makes me curious about a few things that should be more obvious – yet I have not seen anyone address them.  

Basically the Mayan calendar (followed only by Mayans until very recently) predicts that there will a huge change on this planet on 12/21/12 or 13.0.0.0.0. – depending on how you read it. Furthermore it seems this eventuality  is global theme from antiquity – not just Mayan antiquity.  It also appears that no matter how you crunch the numbers all of them are pretty close to this date (the former, not the latter). Scientifically, there will be an alignment of the planets in our solar system that occurs only every (26),000 years (give or take).  I wonder if the number (13).0.0.0.0. is special because it is half of 26?  I don’t know.   Then again, no one else has explained it very well  one way or another either.  I do know many that  many people – mainstream and fringe  –  seem to be cashing in on this entire phenomenon quite handsomely.  One man ( a scientific sort) has created an algorithm using game theory to make similar predictions for 2012.  So I am troubled because if even one of the many supposed events occur – it won’t be very pleasant for this world and this is the very thing that keeps doubt in my mind.  That and fear.

Let’s all agree, for the sake of this piece. that religion is based on predictions, prophets, amazing events, celestial signs. These happen by the hand of God – any God or many Gods – so we should take this theme very seriously.  The idea of  “the end of days” seems to be part of many religions and is signified by wars, fire, floods, explosions and bad behavior among the citizens of Earth.  And then redemption or hell, fire and brimstone. Or some here and some there. While the term “junk science” covers many of these catastrophic events in the mainstream –  no one ever seems to use the term “junk religion” or ask why this silly idea is a thread through so many cultures who have no use for one another now nor a long time ago. Consider this:  In Eastern countries the astrological charts of two people marrying, for example, are very important – yet astrology – in the West is considered a pseudo science with no real meaning. Yet it relies on celestial measurements to predict compatibility. What makes it junk?  Why has it been so important for so many millions of people on Earth. Why is it still? And why were a people such as the Mayans so concerned with dates and calendars and the heavens when they possessed no technical or scientific basis for their observations.  Was it faith or advice? Is it some accident or coincidence that the idea of religious monuments  at  precise astronomical intersections is farfetched, yet we can consider climate change a fact? Why is the idea of Armageddon a religious myth? And why must we reject as junk, one,  but  not the other? Who makes these decisions and why?  If anyone knew this all to be true and inevitable – just as billions believe that Christ is the Son of God, that Allah is the only God and Mohammed is his Prophet, that Moses delivered the Jew out of Egypt and brought us the 10 Commandments, that this is the Age of Kali – all this faith is accepted as gospel – why do we doubt 2012 – for example? And assuming for a second we take a flight and accept it as a possibility. Then what? If Eastern  thought and Western science has seen these changes coming for ages – theoretically and/or metaphysically – what are they going to do about it? In two years? Aside from money being made on the whole business, I can’t see what we possibly possess on our planet that would stop any of it from occurring – even if we knew what “it” was.

So do we attach any credence to The Long Count or is it wild conjecture?  And if we do believe it, then what?  And if we don’t and something  does happen who will be around to claim bragging rights?

I don’t know the answers to any of these questions.  I’ m  not sure what parts I consider reasonable and what parts I hope are wild and impossible theories, if any.   Are we a failed experiment? A final exam gone bad.  Or is this just good sci-fi.  You choose your ending.  Or is something about to come true.  And did we blow it?  Maybe we should all plan to meet on  1-1-13 and see what the outcome is – if anyone is left to care.  I miss Arthur C. Clarke.