How Will 2012 Affect Society?

How Will 2012 Affect Society?

By D G Cuthbert


Over the years there have been countless predictions as to how and when the apocalypse will occur, mainly from religious groups and cults. All of these predictions have obviously been incorrect, but that doesn't mean that they haven't been damaging.

Whenever an apocalypse prediction is approaching, it's a pretty safe bet that a dedicated group of believers will lead mass suicides, and usually demonstrations to recruit other believers. A prime example of this is the recent 21st May 2011 Apocalypse prediction, where an American preacher predicted the Apocalypse, proceeding to spend vast sums of money to advertise his theory to the World. The infamous "Millennium Bug" is another example of the kind of mass panic which can be caused by these theories.
Normally these theories affect only a fairly small group of people, but what would happen if this kind of thing happened on a mass scale? In the next 12-18 months, we may very well find out.
The Mayans, an ancient civilisation, had a calendar which ends on 21st of December, and many have predicted that the end of the World will come on this date, although many modern Mayans dismiss this idea, and others suggest that it is a time of change rather than destruction. While the Apocalyptic predictions are nothing we haven't seen before, the hype and belief surrounding the Mayans' prediction is far greater than anything which has occurred in the lead-up to any other Apocalypse prediction.
Whether or not the Apocalypse actually occurs on this date is, at this stage, more or less irrelevant. If the World does end - and I'm not suggesting that I believe it will - then everything will be destroyed. If the World does not end, then I believe that there will be major changes to the way our society functions. I say this not because I'm a believer that the Mayans have successfully predicted anything, but because so many people believe that the Mayans' prediction will come true.
Let's look at why this is. In the lead-up to most Apocalyptic predictions, there have been cults organising mass suicides. With the Worldwide belief in the Mayans' prediction being vaster and more widespread than anything we've seen for many generations, there is expected to be mass suicide on a huge scale. As well as the obvious issue of being a major influence on friends and relatives' lives, this is likely to have a huge impact on the global economy; in addition to the huge strain that this is likely to have on the Emergency Services, how will small businesses manage with the loss of Employees?
Unfortunately, mass suicides are not the only concern. When anyone is asked: "If you had one week to live, how would you spend your final days?" I can't recall anyone answering: "I would go to work as normal". While some believers' final days may be spent relatively harmlessly, with skiving off work perhaps the most detrimental of their plans, others may unleash their darker demons, strongly believing that the worst backlash they could face is a few days in jail before the Apocalypse ends their sentence. Potentially there could be a huge increase in crimes such as rape and murder.
While the thought of any normal citizen taking this path is scary enough, imagine the consequences if someone in a high position of authority strongly believes that the World will end on this date. Given how far the belief in the Mayans' prophecy stretches is it really impossible that any of the World leaders believe that the Apocalypse is coming? With the level of responsibility they have, and the resources at their disposal, how would they spend what they believe to be their final weeks? The possibilities are simply chilling.
Assuming the World does not end, the aftermath of the Mayans' prophecy could change our society for a very long time. Jails could become ludicrously overcrowded due to the increase in criminal activity, individuals' lives could be destroyed by the loss of loved ones or becoming victims of horrific crimes, and the economy could potentially collapse; in addition to huge overspending on items like luxury cars - if someone strongly believes that these are their final days, will they continue to "save for a rainy day" or squander their riches on overpriced items - companies could face massive shortfalls in income; many companies rely on the extra income at Christmas to continue trading, but those who believe the World will end on 21st December are unlikely to waste their money on presents for a Christmas that they don't believe will arrive.
So where does all of this leave our society? Well, 21st December 2012 may well pass without event, or maybe society as we know it will crumble. However, we are a race of natural survivors, and as long as there is an inhabitable World here for us on 22nd December 2012, we will be here, possibly trying to rebuild our society.

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