There are other special things about 2012, though - I'm really looking forward to taking my son to the London Olympics that year.

Not that this has anything to do with the end of the world, conspiracy theories or anything. Sorry.

Maybe we should start one? If you don't send chain letters in support of Griffin, the world gets hit with an asteroid.

Make all checks payable to ATK, c/o Scott Horowitz

All kidding aside, I do actually have a pseudoscientific idea that would probably make me money. It has all the right things:

- it combines and builds on other spiritual (new age) and pseudoscientific nonsense
- it has a semi-plausible explanation (so long as you don't look too close)
- it plays on people's feelings and emotions (a much better money maker than relying on silly things like facts)
- and, most important, it can be franchised out (for a suitably large fee, of course!)

The only thing that's lacking is a doomsday angle. I guess I still have some work to do!

But I'm afraid I can't tell you what it is - there's bound to be somebody who would steal it and try to make it work for them. The last thing I want to be remembered for is for unleashing some more nonsense into the world.

Rest assured, the idea's safe in my hands, I don't think I could ever have the nerve to start ripping people off like that!

(But I'm such a tease..... )

Worry not, O Tacitus, post 2012, the Asteroid Apophis will stride into prime-position for any doomsdayites out there with something to peddle.

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BugMeNot A portal to bypass free-site registration.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer - renowned 19th Century German philosopher.

oh gimmie a link on this piece o space rock!

Google rocks Odds of it hitting are 'just' 1 in 5,500.

Which are admittedly vaguely worrying odds to bet our survival on.

She says we are overdue for a big asteroid hitting us!! Oh dear... I presume she means an extinction level one? I thought we were not due for one. But the article says we are. This is what it says "a NEO larger than 1km [wide] will collide with Earth every few hundred thousand years and a NEO larger than 6km, which could cause mass extinction, will collide with Earth every hundred million years. We are overdue for a big one." Every time I have read anything about extinction asteroids it has said we are not due for one just yet. How come its just changed??

If you want a nice doomsday scenario past 2012, I can think of a bimillennium anniversary of some event not too long past 2012...

But it's not suited for this board .

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To the regular visitor of internet bulletin boards it is clear that it's an excellent idea your parents get to choose your real name.

I seem to remember some book debunking spooks, and a woo-woo's claim that "the Devil doesn't keep Central Time" when it came to a midnight prediction.

I turn 100 (I hope) in 2066--1000 yrs after the Norman invasion for what is worth.

Assisted living Damien--coming to theatres near you.

For an explanation as to why some people thought that the Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world in 2012 (which it doesn't) - the Wikipedia entry is worth a look. Particularly the "End Of The World?" section, which explains (among other things) how the calculations which gave the year 2012 were flawed anyway.

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I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, was in no way fair comment and was motivated purely by malice. I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future.

Taking your quote at face value, I'll accept the "100MY" figure. However, can someone name me a mass-extinction level impact around 65 million years ago? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[Waves hand, bounces excidtedly in seat] Ooh! Ooh! I know! Asteroid Barney, right?

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Relight the Firefly!

"It is quite clear that Occam's razor does not sharpen in your pyramid." (Nicolas)

"Still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest." (Paul Simon)

I'm sorry, you were close but not quite right. It was actually Asteroid Dora.

Oh yes, those new kid toys, Dora the Exploder!

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Knowledge is a curse, but ignorance is worse