From the outstanding science desk of
Boing Boing, the editor refers the curious and eschatological alike to this definitive series of
questions and answers from archeologist John Hoopes for
Psychology Today on the
2012 Phenomenon. As the editor concedes, if this detailed treatment on the history, scholarship and day-keeping of the ancient Mesoamerican peoples, the Zeitgeist, event-marketing, the architecture of modern computers, pseudoscience and appeal to fill a spiritual vacuum cannot debunk, disenchant or otherwise unstick one's fear over the end of the world, then probably nothing short of Christmas Day 2012 will.
I also like how Hoopes does not totally dismiss and dash the predictions of the Maya (a designation that is an over-simplification in itself, like the kitsch of Tiki
culture) and the cult that’s formed around it, grasping the enormity of such cycles within cycles and articulating the mathematics for it as well as a keener sense for the procession of the heavens is certainly impressive, and from a sociological stand point could signal positive change, however, it is an insult to the Mayan peoples and to ourselves to burden artifact with prophesies of own making.
I also like how Hoopes does not totally dismiss and dash the predictions of the Maya (a designation that is an over-simplification in itself, like the kitsch of Tiki culture) and the cult that’s formed around it, grasping the enormity of such cycles within cycles and articulating the mathematics for it as well as a keener sense for the procession of the heavens is certainly impressive, and from a sociological stand point could signal positive change, however, it is an insult to the Mayan peoples and to ourselves to burden artifact with prophesies of own making.
