The end is near.
Or is it?
If you believe in the alleged Mayan prophecies, the world is set to end in just five days. Yes, FIVE DAYS. Better wipe out that savings account and do all the living you can before it all ends!
Think that sounds crazy? Just do a search on Google or Yahoo for "Mayan Apocalypse." Pages and pages of results, all surrounding what's going to happen on Dec. 21, 2012 when the Mayan calendar ends. Galactic alignment? Magnetic pole reversal on Earth? Catastrophic solar storms?
Even NASA has weighed in, offering a question-and-answer format on their website about why the world isn't going to end on Dec. 21.
"The world will not end in 2012," NASA officials say on the site. "Credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012."
Here's what NASA has to say about the Mayan calendar ending on Dec. 21:
"Just as the calendar you have on your kitchen wall does not cease to exist after December 31, the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist on December 21, 2012. This date is the end of the Mayan long-count period but then—just as your calendar begins again on January 1—another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar."
That hasn't stopped some people from panicking.
The Huffington Post reports that a Chinese man built an ark, a la Noah's Ark, to prepare for the Mayan apocalypse. According to the Huffington Post, the man used his entire life savings to build the ark.
Some people are just having fun with it.
The Adler Planetarium selected a "Starmaggedon" theme for its monthly Adler After Dark event, slated for Dec. 20. There will be an apocalypse-themed panel discussion and even specialty drinks (like Nibiru's Smash).
A blogger from The Washington Post put together a list of "12 things to do before the Mayan Apocalypse." Among her suggestions: advertise your apocalypse readiness on a bumper sticker or T-shirt, "Quit your job, and don’t be shy about stating the reason," and "Stop bathing."
If the world were going to end, how would you want to live the final days of your life? Tell us in the comment section!
