Complex Numbers

Mayan Kampf

I gotta link a Cracked article again.

http://www.cracked.com/article_17445_6-best-2012-apocalypse-theories-are-all-bul...

The 6 Best 2012 Apocalypse Theories (Are All Bullshit)

You may have noticed a recent trend of trying to fit every hackneyed doomsday prophecy into the same red-letter year of 2012. The theories are obtuse, their connections are flimsy and the perceived consequences are completely unsubstantiated.

Unsurprisingly, these prophecies are enormously popular.

I'll be honest: I love conspiracy and eschatology theories. They're one of my primary forms of entertainment, behind baiting creationists and looking for sources of schadenfreude.

Entertainment. This means I don't take them seriously. I just like trying to force my mind into the pretzel logic that most conspiracy theories require.

Oh, one thing. Remember Cracked is a comedy site. Don't get scientific information from them. From the article:

As for the winter solstice thing, that's just when the Sun is at its greatest distance from Earth.

Actually, in the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs near perihelion (closest approach to sun). The winter solstice is because the north pole points further from the sun, decreasing the angle of the sun's rays impacting Earth, and shortening the days. I'm sure you already know this, but just in case there are people who actually believe theories of eschatology out there, I thought I'd set the record straight. Axial tilt is the reason for the season!

Our poles shifting because the Sun is aligned with the center of the Milky Way makes about as much scientific sense as saying you shouldn't drive at sunset because your car might crash into the sun.

I did that once. Hot.