Dec. 21st 2012 and the World's End

[Tindomul]

So, I would like to know what everyone's thoughts on this topic are. Do you have any, have you heard of this before?
Their are claims that many cultures such as the Mayan and their calendar which ends on Dec. 21 2012 (the winter equinox), and our own with revelation or what not, Nostradamus etc... and more point to the same date as the end of days. Including a computer program that scans the internet for news articles and theories etc.
If its true that all these things actually do point to that day, then yea, I'm a bit freaked out. If not, then I'll be busy getting Christmas gifts for my family that day.
To me there is no doubt that this world, the way we live and experience it is going to end. Humanity is approaching a swift conclusion, or drastic change. Its all very simple to me. How many fish can you put in a fish tank(over population) before they all start running out of enough food(famine), the water gets dirty(pollution), they get aggressive (war), they get sick(diseases), and finally die out (extinction-->end of world).
I did that to my fish tanks a few times (never intentionaly ofcourse)but its the same lesson that humanity in my opinion has yet to understand.
if you notice, reports on global warming/climate change are everywhere, every day. The world is finally waking up to the cold reality, but is it enough? Will we act.
Your thoughts and comments appreciated.

P.S. what would you do with your orchid collections if you knew you had 5 years of civilization left before water, safety, potting supplies and all the things we need to take care of our collection disappeared? Assuming you have already taken enough precautions to protect your families.

[Tindomul]

P.S.
The poll will automatically close on Dec 21 2012, When either life goes merrily on, or Fungus inherits the Earth!

[Phantasm]

People have been predicting the end of the world for several thousand years........Nobody has a crystal ball, and mostly like the end is a few billion years away, long after we have destroyed ourselves. It is much more likely to get in a car accident, have a heart attack or for that matter get skewered by a manta ray than have the world terminated on Dec 21, 2012.

[Tindomul]

Well, my idea of end of days also includes destroying ourselves and leaving the earth behind to recover from our abuse. So I would like to know, how long do you think before our civilization collapses or if you dare to predict how long before the last of our kind dies.

I strongly doubt that the earth itself will be destroyed within our lifetimes. But there is a big ? in my mind as to whether or not humanity as we know it today will survive my lifetime. I have a feeling I'm going to be around for the big show, and see the fireworks at the end. And perhaps if I am lucky I will inherit the world, along with the fungus.

[Phantasm]

Well, there isn't much doubt that we are just a brief phase in the history of the earth. If you accept the evolutionary version of human life then our ancestors have been here for a bit over a million years. They have endured many disasters over time and we are the product of that survival. Our greatest danger is ourselves through overpopulation and pollution of our environment. In the extreme case, it will evolve to war over diminshing resources but a few should survive and start over once again.

An asteroid could hit us and the planet could be reduced to cockroaches once again. It would alter its climate again and evolution would continue the process. Of course who knows what life forms would rule the plant at that point?

[Tindomul]

Well if humans have their way, I forsee a world full of Humans, Cockroaches, and genetically engineered lawn grass to resist drought. Rare sightings of Pigeons and European Starlings would be what is left of the rest of the natural world.
If a meteor hit, then it would be Mulluscs. They would once again rule the world. Nothing but snails, slugs, conchs, clams, and squid. And gigantic tortoises.

[MARIAOB]

MY TWO CENTS.

I BELIVE THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT WILL EVENTUALLY COME TO AN END WHEN AND HOW I DO NOT THINK ANYONE KNOW. WE HAD PAST CIVILIZATIONS AND DINOSAURS ON THIS PLANTED AND THEIR TIME CAME TO AN END AND SO WILL OURS. I THINK THE EARTH TRUNS ON A CYCLE AND RE-STARTS EVERY FEW BILLION YEARS OR SO. BUT I THINK WE WILL DESTORY OURSELVES WAY BEFORE THE PLANET WILL DESTORY US. WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF SPACE AND RECOURCES AS OUR POPULATION GROWS SO DOES THE NEED FOR FUEL, ENERGY, FOOD, AND LAND. THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST IS DISSAPEARING. THIS YEAR ALONE 3865 SQ MI OF FOREST WAS LOST TO CATTLE FARMING NOT SO BAD WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT IN 2004 10,532 SQ MI WERE DISTROYED. THE POLAR ICE CAPS ARE MELTING. The warming has opened up new opportunities for agriculture, commercial fishing, mining, and oil exploration in Greendland. For the firs time farmers were able to grow potatos. EVENTS LIKE THESE ARE HAPPENING ALL OVER THE WORLD AND IN OUR OWN BACK YARD. Glacier National Park is loosing it's glaciers. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Ok no more cause it's getting depressing.

[Tindomul]

Further more, 5 years ago the world population was around 6 billion. A number that took 10,000 years to reach (since the start of civilization). They project our numbers to swell exponentially to 9 billion in less then 50 years. 10,000 years to reach 6 billion, 50 to add another 3 billion. OK. Anyone else disturbed by that number??? I just don't think Mother Earth will give us the chance to get to that number. How many humans can you put into this fish tank called Earth before they all die out?

[MARIAOB]

PLANET EARTH IS AREADY FIGHTING BACK WITH STROGER STORMS, LAND SLIDES, FLOODS/DROUGHTS AND FIRES. THE ONLY THING IS LEFT FOR US TO JOIN IN AND WE WILL AS SOON AS WE STRAT RUNING OUT OUT OF NATURAL RECOURCES AND THAT'S WHEN IT WILL END WITH WW III.

[caseydoll]

I am very disturbed by the number of people on this planet! I don't want to make anyone angry and I don't mean this to be insulting but when are we going to realize that you shouldn't keep having children just because you are able? Why does anyone in this day and age need to have 6 plus kids? This world wasn't made just to support the human race. I know that sounds awful but I have believed that for many years. Also, I have nothing against hunting but I have had more people argue with me that hunting is necessary to keep the animal population down but why do you think that is? Because we crowd them out of their habitats so we can build the next Wal-mart or big fancy house. I don't mean to go off topic but I think it's a big problem and if we expect to save our planet I believe that we need to change more than buying different light bulbs and cars. (Don't hate me now!!!)

I'm not too worried about the end of world prediction though. I think it's extremely interesting! I think I will be doing Christmas shopping that day too! btw great topic Tin!