Thursday, November 5, 2009
Response to NewBlogger
Response to DarkMatter
Response to RH
Implications
This prediction is dividing people. There are believers and nonbelievers. The separation is already happening. There are masses forming support groups for the event as well as people forming blogs dedicated solely to the denouncing of the believers. Disunity rarely has a positive impact. Unless the Prediction is discussed or researched in an unbiased manner then as the date gets closer this division will become bolder and possible repercussions might occur.
The 2012 Prediction: Putting it All in Perspective
· The Sun is predicted to start a new solar cycle that coincides with the end of the Mayan Calendar. The sun does this periodically and the last cycle ended 20-30 years ago and we are still here.
· Around December 21, 2012, the Earth will be at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. This has never happened before and no one knows exactly what will happen. Some predict immediate pole shifts, which will cause devastating weather change, while others predict nothing will occur.
· The 2012 Prediction seems to be especially controversial because, as humans, we are innately fascinated with death. Death is interesting. The media knows this and that is why the news today focuses around tragedies. This fascination contributes to the fear associated with the 2012 Prediction as well as to coerce some to take precautions by forming support groups throughout the world.
· No one exactly knows what is going to happen on December 21, 2012. Since no one can predict the future, then trying to predict what exactly is going to happen on such a far away date is impossible.
· Finally, this prediction is dividing people. The believers and the nonbelievers. Division is rarely good and unless collaboration is executed soon, then as the date get closers, individuals may start acting upon this division in conflicting ways.
These are the points that I wish for you to take and reflect deeply upon as this date gets closer. Whatever happens on December 21, 2012, good luck and thanks for taking the time to read my blog.
Response to DarkMatter
Annotated Links Continued
At this link, a nonbeliever writes, in an informal tone, why there will be no “doomsday” in 2012. He breaks down his argument into three sections: Mayan Calendar, The end of the long count = the end of the earth, and Doomsday. It is very interesting to see the evidence of the Mayan cultural that he elaborates on and how it ensures that 2012 will not be the end of time.
Finally, this link explains why not worrying is important. It breaks down the issue from a general side and then a psychological side. This site also mentions some side effects that are contributed by worrying. If you want to know helpful ways to reduce worrying or in what ways worrying can negatively affect your life, then you might find this site interesting as well as insightful.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Just Imagine
After putting much thought into this, I believe this question does not have an answer. The reason why is because we will never know what the world would be like without controversy or division. This is a sad truth. Since the world will never be this way, then we cannot know whether or not we can function.
On a different side, disunity also unites us. This might seem oxymoronic, but those within the same division become more united. The believers will have a stronger bond with fellow believers and vice versa. So my big question to my readers is, do you think the group unity caused by the mass disunity cancel each other out? Or, would a world with no controversy be more or less bonded than one with controversy?
Annotated Links
This link discusses the suns natural solar cycles and the predicted cycle for 2012. NASA predicts that in 2012 the cycle will be much like the one in 1998. Also, this site offers great insight into the significance of solar flares in respect to the Earth and why we should not fear a great solar storm in 2012 as some might believe.
If you are interested about our seemingly innate fear of death, then this link would be the one for you to go to. At this site, it explains in detail specifically about the phobia of death. Also, this site offers insight into why some might develop this fear. Finally, this site stresses the effect that the fear of death can have on an individual’s life.
This link is the one that I find the most interesting. Dr. Stephen Diamond discusses human acceptance from a psychological viewpoint. He relates the mention of acceptance in different religions and the role that it plays within them. Finally, Dr. Diamond offers ways in which we might partake in order to make ourselves more apt to accept rather than deny.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Reponse to NatureNurture
Response to ATD
Monday, November 2, 2009
Self-Analysis
Impact
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Class Links!
Dark Matter
This blog discusses the crisis period that the field astronomy is currently in. The bloggers also proposes causes for the unexplained increase in speed of expansion of the universe. It is a very interesing blog. I highly suggest you take a look!
Drinking Age
This blog discusses the controversial issue of the allowed age for drinking in the United States. The blogger explains both sides and relates the issue to her life. She makes the problem seem interesting as well as very crucial. Her use of personal experiences and easy to follow language make this blog meaningful and informative.
Ethical Limitations of Scientific Breakthrough
This blog discusses the effect of scientific breakthroughs on people's nature of acceptance. The blogger deals specifically with stem cells and the controversy that surrounds this potentially helpful procedure. The blogger has an informed tone with convincing persuasive evidence supporting his claim and stance on the issue. I suggest you keep an open mind and look into this.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Response to NatureNurture
Theory Post
Monday, October 26, 2009
Unexplained Trend
I open this question for you. “Why do you believe Europe has the largest number of believers of the 2012 prophecy, than any other part of the Earth?”
Analysis: Explained
I hope this simpler breakdown of the Analysis will make my research, claims, and suggestions easier to understand.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Analysis of December 21, 2012: The Whole Deal (Updated)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Analysis of December 21, 2012: The Whole Deal
I offered the following question in my first blog, “Why is it in such a time of necessity for scientific-backing, some still heed the prediction of a civilization that was prominent over 680 years ago when whims and drastic explanations for unknown events ruled?” This deals with acceptance. Webster defines acceptance as, “an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound.” Dr. Stephen Diamond, claims that acceptance is a related to being mature. If we think about this outside of this subject, then this appears to be true. People of higher maturity appear to accept new ideas more easily than immature individuals. The information that I just analyzed might seem backwards. Based on my research, I just inferred that those that accept such prophecies are typically more mature. This is not what I am trying to say. I am trying to express that those that are more mature will not immediately denounce the possibility of zed prophecies, but look into them and then decide if it is valued or not. This is why prestigious organizations that require the minds of a level-headed workforce, such as NASA, are looking into the possibility of the 2012 prediction. So when believers of the 2012 prediction claim that since NASA is looking into it, that makes the prophecy more creditable, this is another one of the many “kinks” that I am always finding in their support for the idea.
Another interesting aspect of this “hype” with the 2012 prediction is human’s innate affixation with death. The interest in death goes far back in history. From mummifying bodies out of respect for death to the séance boom in the 1920’s, the effect of the aspect of death on our life has and still does affect people. Some even fear death to the point of developing a phobia of it. Today, it is very prevalent that death interests us. From shows like Ghost Hunters, tourism to houses where deaths have occurred, death in media, and the huge impact of death in movies, it is obvious that we are still interested in death like our ancestors. Psychologists believe that our innate lure with death starts when we are young with simple curiosity and the maturation of the thought of death is dependent on our personal experiences and our initial guidance with the subject, which is clearly different for everyone. If this maturation process is not sound and concrete, then a person can become emotionally insecure with the subject and thus reject and fear it. Death is a curious issue for all, but its effect on the lives of people is determined by the individual’s mental development of understanding the subject and all that it encompasses.
While no one exactly knows what is going to happen on December 21, 2012, the prediction of the world ending will still be in the minds of many. As the day approaches, those that do not fully understand the subject will most likely innately choose a side with little thought or consideration. When the day is very close, there will no doubt be large groups of people that will perform thoughtless actions. Just remember that these people cannot help but be curious. Our innate fascination with death and variable mental developments, will lead to acceptances and denounces of the prediction and it will be up to the individual to decide where they stand and what actions they will act upon.
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Truth-About-21-December-2012-and-Planet-Nibiru&id=3092634
http://www.greatdreams.com/2012.htm
http://www.december212012.com/articles/general_information/Is_There_Science_Behind_2012_Prophecies.htm
http://forum.ebaumsworld.com/showthread.php?p=5552245
http://www.greatdreams.com/end-world.htm
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/05/19/no-doomsday-in-2012/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acceptance
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/200806/secrets-psychotherapy-part-4-change-or-acceptance
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/10mar_stormwarning.htm
http://www.unexplainable.net/artman/publish/article_8375.shtml#
http://www.endoftime2012.com/
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Fascination_with_death
http://www.dealingwithfear.org/fear-of-death.htm/#
http://library.thinkquest.org/16665/mass.htm
http://books.google.com/books?id=oeLg05VoZgcC&pg=PA64&lpg=PA64&dq=psychology+interest+in+death&source=bl&ots=lI7FVLwknT&sig=sBP56v9Fx4eNMjMsFYc4rIb79gM&hl=en&ei=KgjdSs_lEIrW8AbWorC3BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=psychology%20interest%20in%20death&f=false
http://www.spiritlakeconsulting.com/SLC/sharedfiles/library/devpsych/mcdeath.htm
http://colfa.utsa.edu/Sociology/masters/topics.html
http://www.december212012.com/believers_list.htm
http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/death.html
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=189768
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Why Are People So Interested With Death?
Humans and the fascination with death have coincided hand in hand throughout history, from the Greeks and their god/goddesses to popularity of séances in the early 20th century. It is just within us, as humans, to be curious about what is after life. This instinctive lure contributes to the popularity of “End of Days” myths as a whole.
Death is such a powerful subject that it has its own phobia, thantophobia. This power also contributes to the aura that such prophecies, like 2012, emit. Death’s obviously powerful hold on certain people along with our innate curiosity with it, allow for myths that combine these two factors to become very strong and very sensitive. This is the best concise answer that I can give to, Why are people so interested in death?
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html
http://www.phobias-help.com/phobia_fear_of_death.html
Monday, October 12, 2009
Response to RH
In response to the comment by RH on my second blog, I plan to, in the next couple of blogs, identify what some believers of this prophecy believe to be concrete facts that support this claim and, with science and research, accurately describe why these facts are not as sound as they may first appear. Then, describe more generally, the effect of such prophecies on the public and in what situations are such outrageous claims more apt to penetrate the conscience and logical minds of humans. I believe that people in certain environments and states of logical development are more likely to believe extreme assertions than others in different environments and more advanced stages of logical development. I think it will be really interesting to see, scientifically, the ways that the brain reasons and the factors that contribute to gaining acceptance from the mind. Also, I would like to conclude my blog with enough scientific facts to hopefully quiet the seemingly loud and obnoxious claims of anarchy that will, in turn, emerge our society in disorder and chaos. My goal is for my blog to be a beacon that will remind people of reason and hopefully lessen the amount of hearsay and hocus pocus that seems to excite people and at the same time scare them to death. I think over time people forget the vast importance of reason and its essential role in everything that we do, see, or think. Our society in the United States has become so great due to reason and to denounce its value now would be a disgrace to everything that we, as democratic, free Americans, stand for.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Busted Claim 1
http://dsc.discovery.com/space/my-take/solar-storm-sten-odenwald.html
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
End of Days Theories and Their Effect On Society/Economy
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/28/disastrous-commercial/