Class Links!

If you think my blog is interesting, then I believe you will enjoy these also:

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.

Response to NatureNurture

According to my research, death is an innate fear. The question is "Do we fear death as a child?" My answer is that death is an innate fear, but we are not very aware of that fear as a young child. It is not until we learn about death and experience it that we fully realize the magnitude of death. You cannot fear something that you know nothing about.

Theory Post

The common ground that I believe each side of the argument (believers vs. nonbelievers) can agree on is that no one can know for a fact what is going to happen on a date that is so far ahead in time. Both sides can agree that what ever is meant to happen will and that arguing about the issue will not make the overall situation any better. We all need to embrace the future together and support each other all the way. The sense of togetherness can help to strenghten those that feel weakened by the fact that they are powerless to what is meant to happen. Do not waste life worrying, but live the life you have to its fullest. Despite what is going to happen on December 21, 2012, enjoy life now and try to make the best of it. The importance of unity is so vast that it cannot be denounced in the world. The separation of believers and nonbelievers will do nothing but further divide us.

Unexplained Trend

I have done more thinking of the subject over the weekend and I have noticed a trend in the research that I have found. I have noticed that a majority of believers are typically young and most do not reside within the United States. I asked, “Why?” The younger portion of the research coincides with my analysis that less mentally mature minds will typically choose a side with little to no actual deep thought placed on it. The other trend, the geographic trend, baffles me. From what I have been reading, it seems the most concentrated area of believers is in Europe. I am mentioning this not only to share a very interesting fact, but to also express that I cannot find an explanation for this trend. It is not that they are uneducated, but it seems that they, for some reason unknown to me and it is not published in anywhere on the Internet, believing the idea of the end of the world in 2012 easily. I will continue to research this trend in particular, but I am not finding any information explaining why this demographic area is more saturated with believers than any other area in the world. There is not one vital difference between Europe and the rest of the world. There is not something that Europe has that somewhere else does not and vice versa.
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

My analysis contains a lot of information that might seem overbearing and a bit scattered for some. That is why I am dedicating this blog to further explain my analysis of the 2012 prediction. I start my analysis by simply describing the prediction and what it is. Then, I go into the supporters and the denouncers of the prophecy. I explain the very different attitudes that the opposing sides have against the subject. Next, I bring up another related subject, our ability to accept ideas. I use my research to claim that less mature people are generally less apt to accept ideas and I use Dr. Diamond’s analysis to support this claim. I also describe why Nasa is looking into this subject. The subject is not more valid due to NASA’s investigation, it is just that workers of NASA are more mentally mature and accept the possibility of the truth of the prediction. Finally, I also bring up humans interest in death. I use my research to show a long trend of the fascination of death in the human timeline. I then go into the psychology of the idea of death and use my research to try to explain why we are so curious about the subject of death. I end my blog my reminding you that no one truly knows what is going to happen on a date so far ahead in the future. I also make a prediction of what, I believe, people will do as the date approaches.
I hope this simpler breakdown of the Analysis will make my research, claims, and suggestions easier to understand.

Analysis of December 21, 2012: The Whole Deal (Updated)

If you have been reading my blog, then you already know about the prediction for December 21, 2012 and you also know that I have “debunked” two claims of supporters about this day. For those who have not, the 2012 prediction coincides with the exact day that the Mayan Calendar ends. Many believe at this date, the world as we know it will come to an end too. From a scientific viewpoint, some scientists believe that the Earth will end one of its current cycles and start a new one, which according to Dr. Gregg Braden, happens every 5,125 years. Others believe that the entire prediction is "crazy" and a waste of our time. Based on my research, the truth is no one exactly knows what is going to happen on December 21, 2012. It is like the weather man predicting the temperature for that day, today. It is impossible to try to guess at what is going to happen on a particular day that is so far ahead in time. Theorists can predict and scientists can project, but no one knows for certain because no one can predict the future. We are all human. Although this subject has recently become very debatable and more well-known, it is the source for a much more interesting subject; the subject of people’s denial and acceptance of ideas. 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.

Analysis of December 21, 2012: The Whole Deal

If you have been reading my blog, then you already know about the prediction for December 21, 2012 and you also know that I have “debunked” two claims of supporters about this day. For those who have not, the 2012 prediction coincides with the exact day that the Mayan Calendar ends. Many believe at this date, the world as we know it will come to an end too. From a scientific viewpoint, some scientists believe that the Earth will end one of its current cycles and start a new one, which according to Dr. Gregg Braden, happens every 5,125 years. Others believe that the entire prediction is "crazy" and a waste of our time. Based on my research, the truth is no one exactly knows what is going to happen on December 21, 2012. It is like the weather man predicting the temperature for that day, today. It is impossible to try to guess at what is going to happen on a particular day that is so far ahead in time. Theorists can predict and scientists can project, but no one knows for certain because no one can predict the future. We are all human. Although this subject has recently become very debatable and more well-known, it is the source for a much more interesting subject; the subject of people’s denial and acceptance of ideas.
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

Why Are People So Interested With Death?

The other day in class, I had to defend this very blog and a very interesting question was asked to me. Why are people so interested in death? I had no clue. So over the past few days I have been doing a lot of research to try my best to answer this very question (that is why I am writing this first blog on Wednesday rather than my usual Tuesday). I learned that our fascination with death is innate. Plain and simple. Evidence of this extends all the way back to the Ancient Egyptians which mummified their bodies out of the respect for death itself. People, even today, still worship death. Those in Mexico and a select few other Central American countries celebrate a day remembering the dead, “The Day of the Dead.”
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

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.

Busted Claim 1

The first out of many claims of support for the “End of the World: 2012” prophecy is the claim of an increase in solar flares and solar storms and their effect. I will start off by saying it is an unquestionable fact that the number of sunspots have increased over the past 11 years and seem to be slowly increasing. The theory of how sunspots relate to this prophecy is that it is estimated between 2011-2012 the sun will be in its solar maximum cycle. This is no cause for alarm because the last solar maximum occurred in 2000, and obviously I am still here today writing my blog and you are here reading it. But this particular maximum has everyone worried. My guess is that this fact along with the prophecy has people looking for some way to talk about the end of the world without sounding like a complete lunatic. I do not understand why everyone is trying so hard to predict the end of the world. If the world should truly end, do you think that since they knew how it ended they will be spared? Or would the personal satisfaction will overcome the fear of perishing? To these questions, I have no answer. I respect valuable scientific backing and the unsupported idea that this maximum cycle will be extremely different from the last cycle with no scientific data supporting this claim, I cannot respect this. In the next blog, I will look at another factor that is deemed supporting the theory and until I come across an indisputable fact that point towards oblivion then I cannot help but be skeptical.

http://dsc.discovery.com/space/my-take/solar-storm-sten-odenwald.html

End of Days Theories and Their Effect On Society/Economy

Will you die in 3 years? According to the Mayans, you will. 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? Many claim that there is scientific backing, like the polarity levels are the lowest that they have been in two thousand years and the likelihood of a massive solar flare is great. There is one thing that supporters are forgetting. The Mayans had no earthly idea what either of these two attributes were and how they are related. If the Mayans predicted the end of the world was in 2000, then these facts would still be true, the magnetic field would have still been at an all time low and we would have still been due for a massive solar flare. Also, a big “kink” in the conspiracy is that many professionals in the field of astronomy like astronomer Philip Plait argue that the Mayan calendar does not end in 2012. He relates the calendar to a car’s odometer. When your odometer reaches 9, it must go back to 0; the Mayan calendar is the same way. The calendar happens to need to “turnover” during the month of December, 2012. Then, the calendar will continue many more years with a different starting number. Over the grand scheme of the idea of the end of days, there is scientific evidence supporting both sides. Anyone with a scientific view will realize that since there is conflicting evidence, the most prestigious level the “End of Days” claim can be is a theory; a theory, just like Big Foot, the Yeti, or if Walt Disney is frozen. I do not read of anyone stocking up on supplies and forming groups across the world to prepare for Big Foot attacks.


http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/28/disastrous-commercial/