We have all read about the Mayan Prediction that the world will end on 12/21/2012. The object of this blog is not to conjecture about the likelihood of this occurring. It is far more Machiavellian than that. What I want to explore is this: What if we had irrefutable proof that the Mayans were correct? How would our behaviors change between now and 12/21/2012. What would the impact be on our daily lives? On the economy? On law and order? On the food supply? And so on.
I invite you to express your opinions - let's see if the general consensus is that we would hold it all together, or simply degenerate into a hedonistic drunken orgy. The floor is yours!
So here is my opening salvo.
ReplyDeleteLet's assume there are two types of people - those who have enough saved up to last them from now through 12/21/2012, and those who do not. What if those who had enough quit their jobs, and spent their time spending all their money - after all, it is guaranteed that everything ends on 12/21/2012! So now we have to measure the impact on the provision of goods and services, food, clothing, entertainment etc. of people leaving their jobs en masse - would the power stations close down, would the food supplies dry up? And so on. And what about the impact on prices? If there is restricted output, prices will rise. But wait a minute! We do not know by how much. So those people who thought they had enough to last out my now be caught in an inflation spiral! Do they go back to work? If so, where?
Happy conjecturing!!
I think that the actions would be different in each country. If we reflect on the behaviors in America after hurricane Rita, Americans would be more fearful. On the other hand, if we reflect on the Japanese response to the tsunami, they have shown a tremendous amount of dignity and respect.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that if you'll be Mayan, I'll be Urine.
ReplyDeleteGupta The Munificent
I'm just back from the mountains and in the noble words of Randy Newman twould be best to "think about Jeeesus and drink wine all day......" and musing, "it's great to be an American". But as I'm not, an American, (but I have a yew years left on my USA holiday Visa) I shall ignore Gupta that mag wag and give this debate the gravitas it deserves. Peter dear boy, I return unto the treadmill for the first time today since the holidays began to stash as many shekels as humble teaching will allow.... in preparation for the first of the big pre-apocalyptic bashes and to pay the boatman his exorbitant fee he now no doubt charges (given the amount of souls who are about to descend upon him, plus 5000 years of inflation) to get across the river Styx. After a couple of days contemplation I shall return to this blog armed with charm and insightfulness and pen a further contribution.... john skotnes
ReplyDeletePS Great idea Peter..... this should be fun
ReplyDeleteBTech design students At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology are being briefed today on a fun project - can design save the world. They have to come up with a two - three minute video showing how design can save the world.... I think it will be great to post these when the project is done.... It'll enrich the debate!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your musings here and am saddened that it seems to have lost its initial traction. As the year progresses, it would seem that interest in this subject would be waxing. Do you intend further postings or do you beleive this blog will languish due to lack of interest?
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