by J. Gean

Created on: February 13, 2010

In the 1998 movie Armageddon, a huge asteroid capable of destroying the planet is headed for a direct hit with the planet (2). Oil drillers work frantically to drill a hole in the asteroid in an attempt to nuke it before it hits Earth.  Independence Day (1996) depicts a scenario where huge alien space ships invade Earth threatening to annihilate it’s inhabitants (3).  Deep Impact (1998), Apocalypto (2006), Red Dawn (1984), Red Dawn (re-make to be released Oct 2010),  Omega Man (1971) and Resident Evil (2002) all predict, in one way or another, an end-of-the-world scenario (4).

Fictional accounts of the end of the world or Armageddon can be fascinating and entertaining to say the least.  But recent events in our culture have been causing many to be a bit more concerned.

We now have something called the 2012 Phenomenon where many people believe that some sort of catastrophic event will take place on December 21, 2012.  This belief arises from the Mayan calendar where the date is believed to be the end-date of a 5,125 years cycle.  The New Age community believes that some sort of dramatic shift of consciousness will occur near the end of 2012.  Others believe that a planetary re-alignment is in the works.  The Mayans themselves do not attach much significance to the date at all (5).

The History Channel has promoted the doomsday theories behind the 2012 Phenomenon by airing several shows including Decoding the Past: Mayan Doomsday Prophecy (2006), 2012, End of Days (2006), The Last Days on Earth (2008), and Seven Signs of the Apocalypse, and Nostradamus 2012 (2008).  The Discovery Channel followed suit when it aired 2012 Apocalypse in 2009; a movie depicting earthquakes, volcanoes, solar storms, and various other catastrophes (5).

This all sounds very familiar.  There was a time, not too long ago, when many people believed that everything would shut down due to a computer software glitch.  Basements and shelters stocked up on canned food, bottled water, and all kinds of survival gear in anticipation of the “Y2K Bug”.  Everyone hunkered down and prepared for the worst.  Party goers at the 1999/2000 New Years Eve event at Times Square were not even sure whether or not the electricity would be there to operate the descending “Ball” when midnight arrived.

A great sigh of relief expired from planet Earth when the clock struck 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2000 and nothing happened.  One would be inclined to think the same will occur in December of 2012.

The Tormont Webster’s Dictionary defines Armageddon as “any great conflict causing widespread destruction”, “the mountain region of Megiddo”, or “the scene of the final battle between the forces of good and evil as prophesied in The Bible” (Rev 16:16) (1).

Sources:

1. The Tormont Webster’s Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary © 1982.

2. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/synopsis

3. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116629/synopsis

4. http://nationallampoon.com/articles/the-list-top-20- movies-about-the-end-of-the-world

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon

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