I don't get it

Summary:

We've been hearing about this 2012 thing for quite a few years now... What I still don't get is why people are making stuff up like this.

I don't get it

Julie D. (guest) 19 Jul 2011 14:08

Why are people making stuff up about 2012? What's the benefit for them, what do they get out of it? Besides from scaring people, having them worry about the future of their children… Not everyone who fabricates fake videos and comes up with flawed theories can possibly make money out of it? Then why?

My daughter will be starting kindergarden in September 2012. If anyone in school tells her about this 2012 crap, I'm seriously going to kick some behinds. It's one thing for me to have a bit of anxiety about it (you guys are helping a lot, and I'm actually starting to rediscover astronomy with the curiosity I used to have for it when I was a kid), but I won't have anyone tell my daughter about all this nonsense.

Just wondering. I don't understand how people can get a kick out of scaring people and think this is actually fun. Or that it makes them look smart.

Re: I don't get it

RickardM 19 Jul 2011 14:28

I have a theory about why, although it might be totally wrong. Never the less, I think that for some people it could be a way of facing their fear of death. By making up claims that are sure to result in death you gain some power over your own faith. I know, it's not in any way healthy, but I know (at least from somewhat personal experience) that accepting things to go south can be the only way to handle fear. And if you in the process manages to convince a bunch of other people that your fears are real, then suddenly your not alone in your fears (that you deep inside now are irrational). Basically, I think that many of the people making up new scenarios are just as afraid of it as the people falling for the hoax, and most of the even more delusional. So, when money isn't the biggest motivational factor I think the second biggest one are control (control over your faith, to spare you from uncertainty).

I have to say though, even though some of this fits my situation, I've never ever made up claims in order to scare people. What I did do however, was to convince myself that 2012 was indeed the end. By doing so I thought I had time to "prepare" myself mentally (this process never affected anyone besides me, and my fiancé who had to put up with my mental colapses). When I found out that there wasn't a single thing to fear, i felt both cheated and a grant amount of relief. As the situation is now, I can't even understand why I felt for it to begin with=)

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Facts are stubborn things.
- Ronald Reagan

Re: I don't get it

Awesomeee 19 Jul 2011 14:28

Why are people making stuff up about 2012?

They do it for attention and money , They like to tell alot of psuedo-scientific BS

Besides from scaring people, having them worry about the future of their children

Well there was always doom predictions when you were a kid you'r mom was worried because there was some other BS lurking around , there always was and always will be , nonsense everywhere

Not everyone who fabricates fake videos and comes up with flawed theories can possibly make money out of it? Then why?

Here is you'r answer: Youtube Views:394848393939393 Thats a little too much….

My daughter will be starting kindergarden in September 2012

Thats great!

If anyone in school tells her about this 2012 crap, I'm seriously going to kick some behinds.

Well maybe , they should teach what Psuedoscience/false science is and maybe when you'r daughter hears about 2012 she will know its nonsense , but shes too young i guess , if somebody teaches her how to spot nonsense she will not get it i think…

It's one thing for me to have a bit of anxiety about it (you guys are helping a lot, and I'm actually starting to rediscover astronomy with the curiosity I used to have for it when I was a kid),

When debunking 2012 you actully get to learn good stuff I know….

Anyways i wish you good luck Julie

-Awesomeee

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No man knows the day nor the hour when the world will end.

Become a debunker and help out those that are being fed up with lies spread by False scientists going after you'r money.
Practice what you want to and dont give up on you'r dreams my dream is to become a basketball player 'NBA'

Re: I don't get it

3WMElliott 19 Jul 2011 14:44

Not everyone who fabricates fake videos and comes up with flawed theories can possibly make money out of it? Then why?

Attention, recognition, being seen as an authority. You come across it quite a few times on the beloved YouTube, you soon see who holds weight in the community - and it doesn't have to be someone knowingly spreading rubbish just to get attention, people can firmly believe what they say is true despite numerous faults within their claims.

The argument is whose worse - those that don't have a clue about what they're talking about, or those that knowingly post false information to advance status or wealth.

Re: I don't get it

obaeyens 19 Jul 2011 17:22

The argument is whose worse - those that don't have a clue about what they're talking about, or those that knowingly post false information to advance status or wealth.

In both cases people will laugh at you for the rest of your life.
And you will get very hostile reactions back when nothing happens.

So if you want to promote the hoax be ready for the consequences when nothing happens and it all backfires.
Remember the LHC?

Re: I don't get it

Astrogeek 19 Jul 2011 14:44

Hi Julie;

I'm happy to hear that our little site is helping you with your 'bit of anxiety'. Congratulations on your daughter, by the way.

I agree, that not every proponent is "in it for the money". There are a lot of people who promote this idea who don't make a dime off of it, but they are the 'true believers', who think that they are helping people by warning of what they think is imminent disaster. The major proponents, however, are making something off of it, whether it is fame, or fortune, or simply the attention that they want.

The good thing about this is that this is being used for good as well. For example, I go into elementary and middle school classrooms and talk about this hoax, and use it as a tool to educate the students about critical thinking and logic.

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"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind

Re: I don't get it

obaeyens 19 Jul 2011 17:18

There is a positive side to it. You can educate you daughter how to detect BS and when she gets older it could benefit her.