2012: A Claim With Poor Evidence

I agree with a lot of what you said! Just because their calendar ends at that date does not mean the world will end - I mean, the Mayans were one of only how many civilizations that have existed in the history of the world? And I haven't paid too much attention to all of the hype about this, but have scientists/etc considered when the calendar was actually made? Could it possibly have been made when their civilization was collapsing?
As to the part about humanity falling apart, I do agree that it probably has nothing to do with the calendar, but I can't agree that it isn't symbolic of the end...

Agreed: I don't think there is nearly enough evidence to support this extraordinary claim. It is also interesting that there is scant evidence in Mayan records about the world ending. I really like the logical reasoning in this blog, and the incorporation of scientific thinking. There is an open mindedness about the possibility of the claims being true, but it is accompanied by the request for more evidence.

Y2K was supposed to be the end of technology and a major issue. However, people put too much emphasis on an unlikely series of events. Because the date on the computer would change from a 6 digit code, people thought all computers would malfunction. Similar to the Mayan calender, people are putting to much empahsis on little details or coincidencies and linking them together. Good post!

I agree with you. I think people are reading way to much into something that has extraordinary claims. After all like you said I don't think they had a reason to continue with it. Their calendar was already pretty long. I think they just decided they had planned enough in the future and there was no need to continue. It is important to remember when hearing about such extraordinary claims one must have extraordinary evidence. Like you said there is very little evidence to suggest why the calendar ends. I also agree with you about Y2K. Another issue that could be used as an example is the rapture. Last spring semester people were walking around campus talking about the end of the world, yet nothing happened. I also think people are putting emphasis on little details that really don't have a meaning behind them.

Yes. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence!" This calendar is an argument from antiquity fallacy. I do believe the world will be end for the sake of the age of the earth, but at least not this year. Like you mentioned in your entry, our human being always have a lot of problem, which might shorten the age of the earth. But simply believing a claims without any evidence sounds really silly. I like the topic you chose. I think someone just makes use of Mayan calendar to spread some rumors and create apophenia. I guess the only positive result of this extraordinary claim is to stimulate people cherishing their lives before their death.