Apocalype Soon...

   Around the world, countries and individuals are taking precautions for the apocalypse, predicted to occur at the end of the Mayan calendar or Dec. 21.

   Their efforts are unnecessary. Due to an excessive amount of media attention and convincing Internet scammers, we are manipulated that the world will end in less than a year. Movies, music, books, TV shows and other illustrate what Dec. 21 may be like and scare their audience into believing the Mayan calendar's end symbolizes the world's collapse.

   In most cases, the Internet and its sly scammers are spreading the majority of information on the apocalypse and increasing supporters and creating consumers. Internet surfers can learn about the apocalypse from details on    homemade websites.

   These websites often include history of the Mayan calendar, a countdown, a list of followers, blogs, video blogs and merchandise. The merchandise consists of tourist items such as t-shirts and mugs but also incorporates expensive survival supplies.

   On December212012.com, a survival kit for a family of four costs $179.99. For a 275-meal supply, you are charged $123.70. With each tool and supply as important as the next, your total can reach to around $800 quickly. This creates an easy profit for the seller.

   With all these survival supplies being portrayed as vital, it is evident that the media's over-dramatization of the apocalypse transforms scammers into entrepreneurs and believers into gullible targets. The massive attention this date is given by the media and internet masks how the conclusion was drawn that the Mayan calendar connects to the apocalypse.

   The ancient calendar uses three different dating systems:  the Long Count, the Tzolkin and the Haab. Believers of the apocalypse focus on the Long Count. It reaches its limit on Dec. 21. This means that after Dec. 21, the Long Count starts over.

   To some, this is enough evidence to conclude that when the Long Count ends, the apocalypse begins. To the Mayans, it was a huge celebration to experience the end of a whole cycle.

   What caused us to fear Dec. 21 when it was originally considered a day for excitement? Predictions for natural disasters in the near future keep believers anxious. It is expected that previous storms are simply predecessors that will fail in comparison to the upcoming disasters.

   Unfortunately, destructive storms such as the earthquake in Haiti are rarely ever predicted so it is unclear whether these predictions are by trained scientists or rumors.

   In the end, no pun intended, you must make the decision: celebrate the end of the Long Count cycle with family and friends or quiver in your new $10,000 bomb shelter?