2012 Conspiracies..

[Heyyou]

Remember the millenium scare in 1999, where all those professionals from places like IBM said that when the clock strikes mid-night on January 1st 2000 all the computers in the world would turn to 1/1/1900 and crap out? Planes would fall from the sky, the lights would go out etc. Every company paid big bucks to have every file in their systems upgraded to accept 2000. Homeowners bought generators and stocked up on gasoline. Well, when the clock struck 12:01AM what happened? NOTHING! You can put the 2012 BS in the same context.

 

[seekermeister]

Imperfect1,

Totally agree --- being able to get off of this planet (and having somewhere hospitable to go) would be our only hope of survival.

Meanwhile, I would be eating all those fattening things I've been depriving myself of, not to mention indulging in other treats of various sorts!

Sorry to be a party pooper, but what makes you think that there is another planet out there that would be a suitable habitat for you? I know that is a popular concept, but a very faulty one. Even if such a place existed, it would be subject to all of the same dangers as the one that we live on and call home. I also know that in the modern world that the word "home" doesn't have the meaning that it once did, and should still have. I spent the majority of my adult life moving around the country due to employment considerations, and never spent more than a year or two in one place, until recent years (retired). Where I now live is not really a home, but it is the closest thing to it that I have had since childhood, and have come to enjoy it enough that I don't intend to move again, so long as I have a choice.

I realize that your comments were just being facetious, so forgive me for using them for launching my little rambling rant from, but I do so because many people do not appreciate the value of the planet that we live on. No, I'm not an environmentalist or of any mindset related saving the whales, seals, dogs, cats or any other critter including humans, except in less material terms. I shall not go directly into that, partly because I'm not inclined to do so, and partly because it wouldn't be tolerated anyway. What is important is that we all need to prepare ourselves for events that we would prefer would never happen...because they will regardless, but not by some Mayan calendar.

That preparation does not include tossing it all to the wind, and going into binges of behavior that we have trained ourselves to avoid for health or other forms of well being, but it does mean coming to terms with life...ours and others. Doing so will probably not prevent a cosmic collision, as is being discussed, and may not save our lives in this flesh, but our lives will continue long after this flesh is dead, and life shall continue on Earth long after the dust settles. The Earth shall never end...neither will we.

 

[Imperfect1]

Imperfect1,

Totally agree --- being able to get off of this planet (and having somewhere hospitable to go) would be our only hope of survival.

Meanwhile, I would be eating all those fattening things I've been depriving myself of, not to mention indulging in other treats of various sorts!

Sorry to be a party pooper, but what makes you think that there is another planet out there that would be a suitable habitat for you? I know that is a popular concept, but a very faulty one. Even if such a place existed, it would be subject to all of the same dangers as the one that we live on and call home. I also know that in the modern world that the word "home" doesn't have the meaning that it once did, and should still have. I spent the majority of my adult life moving around the country due to employment considerations, and never spent more than a year or two in one place, until recent years (retired). Where I now live is not really a home, but it is the closest thing to it that I have had since childhood, and have come to enjoy it enough that I don't intend to move again, so long as I have a choice.

I realize that your comments were just being facetious, so forgive me for using them for launching my little rambling rant from, but I do so because many people do not appreciate the value of the planet that we live on. No, I'm not an environmentalist or of any mindset related saving the whales, seals, dogs, cats or any other critter including humans, except in less material terms. I shall not go directly into that, partly because I'm not inclined to do so, and partly because it wouldn't be tolerated anyway. What is important is that we all need to prepare ourselves for events that we would prefer would never happen...because they will regardless, but not by some Mayan calendar.

That preparation does not include tossing it all to the wind, and going into binges of behavior that we have trained ourselves to avoid for health or other forms of well being, but it does mean coming to terms with life...ours and others. Doing so will probably not prevent a cosmic collision, as is being discussed, and may not save our lives in this flesh, but our lives will continue long after this flesh is dead, and life shall continue on Earth long after the dust settles. The Earth shall never end...neither will we.

You're more than welcome to be a party pooper if you so wish, and to have all of the views you espoused. I disagree with you on several points, however -- but not all.

First and probably most importantly, I believe there are most likely
many, many life sustaining planets (and perhaps other celestial bodies as well) in the skies, because of the incalculably vast number of stars that we are already aware of, not to mention the probably trillions and trillions and trillions of others, of which we are not yet aware. Our problem is not the lack of a hospitable place to go, it is that we have not devoted the time, resources, energy, and funds to develop the technologies we would need if people, in mass numbers, decided/needed to leave this planet. I believe that eventually we will though, assuming our planet is still here and in tact at that time.

Which brings me to the 2nd point on which I disagree with you -- Our sun, like any star, won't last forever and neither will the Earth or any of the other planets in orbit around it. That's just a fact.

And 3rd, I also doubt that our species will last forever. I think that there is a fairly high chance that we will blow ourselves up -- or create some other equally catastrophic event that will end mankind as we know it, (including contaminating our environment so badly that it is no longer habitable) --- or even if, by some miracle, we can control ourselves from doing so, the chances are always present that the planet may be destroyed by the forces of nature before we have developed the means of saving ourselves.

 

[MadSupra354]

(What I think will happen) The day should be normal, but everyone will be so paranoid that there will be riots and chaos.
Or nothing will happen.

 

[seekermeister]

Imperfect1,

I could counter each of your points with many of my own, but there would be no point, because it is clear that you wouldn't accept any of them. There shall come a time when you will understand on your own, and I doubt that time is very far off.

 

[Imperfect1]

Imperfect1,

I could counter each of your points with many of my own, but there would be no point, because it is clear that you wouldn't accept any of them. There shall come a time when you will understand on your own, and I doubt that time is very far off.

Fair enough. We'll just agree to disagree, okay?

 

[seekermeister]

So be it, for there appears to be no choice.

 

[Wishmaster]

Due to the sheer numbers of stars, planets, and galaxies out in the universe I think the chance of other Earth like planets is likely quite good.

Even if a earth type planet is a 1 in a million chance, theres still a very good chance there are more, and very well may have life of some form.
Either Intellegent, or just microbial.


However, the chance of us actually being able to get to one of them is a complete different matter.

The chance of us being able to make that journey is significantly less, than the chance such a planet exists.
At least IMO.

 

[Heyyou]

On the very slim chance that the end is next year, I would suggest getting a few Visa cards now, and when it becomes obvious to you that time is running out, go to France and have a ball maxing out the cards. Don't bother making any payments because the world will end long before they catch up with you.

 

[seekermeister]

Due to the sheer numbers of stars, planets, and galaxies out in the universe I think the chance of other Earth like planets is likely quite good.

Even if a earth type planet is a 1 in a million chance, theres still a very good chance there are more, and very well may have life of some form.
Either Intellegent, or just microbial.


However, the chance of us actually being able to get to one of them is a complete different matter.

The chance of us being able to make that journey is significantly less, than the chance such a planet exists.
At least IMO.

That might be true, if life here were by chance, but it is not. All forms of life, including bacterial, require a very long and complex chain of other lifeforms to continue existence. To find a planet with a single lifeform, regardless of how small, will never happen.

It seems clear to me, that even science has proven that no life bearing planets exist, outside of our own, within a distance that makes it a viable option for migration. Therefore, thoughts and discussions along these lines are strictly academic.

 

[Hopalong X]

Hey guys, anyone know Bruce Willis' phone number?

Hey guys, anyone know Bruce Willis' phone number?

We better get busy building those Trillion dollar titanium plated shuttles! :shock:

Barman and I just want the Titanium shuttle and Bruce's phone number so we can go blow the crap out of the asteroid if it comes.
Can't build enough shuttles for 10 Billion people or more.
Too many serious people with no sense of humor here and the OP thread.

:roflmao:

 

[bigmck]

Remember the millenium scare in 1999,...... Every company paid big bucks to have every file in their systems upgraded to accept 2000. Homeowners bought generators and stocked up on gasoline. Well, when the clock struck 12:01AM what happened? NOTHING! You can put the 2012 BS in the same context.

The things that you describe were all necessary. Back then I had a message board on my website. it posted the date of the message. On Dec 31, 1999 things were fine. The next day the date appeared as Jan 1, 19990. I had to spend time looking on the web until I finally found the fix that the author of the message board had made. The date then read properly.

 

[Heyyou]

Remember the millenium scare in 1999,...... Every company paid big bucks to have every file in their systems upgraded to accept 2000. Homeowners bought generators and stocked up on gasoline. Well, when the clock struck 12:01AM what happened? NOTHING! You can put the 2012 BS in the same context.

The things that you describe were all necessary. Back then I had a message board on my website. it posted the date of the message. On Dec 31, 1999 things were fine. The next day the date appeared as Jan 1, 19990. I had to spend time looking on the web until I finally found the fix that the author of the message board had made. The date then read properly.

No fix needed on my end. I got Jan 1, 2000.

 

[bigmck]

On the very slim chance that the end is next year, I would suggest getting a few Visa cards now, and when it becomes obvious to you that time is running out, go to France and have a ball maxing out the cards. Don't bother making any payments because the world will end long before they catch up with you.

France........That would not be my choice if I knew there were six months to the end of time. I would pack up a few things and head to Las Vegas. Everything I need is there. There is a way to pass the days (gambling and golf). There is a way to pass the nights (shows and houses of ill repute). In between there are fine restaurants. == Where would you go?

 

[bigmck]

It seems clear to me, that even science has proven that no life bearing planets exist, outside of our own, within a distance that makes it a viable option for migration. Therefore, thoughts and discussions along these lines are strictly academic.

I am sure you have heard the theory of Wormholes. If they exist it would cut much time off of travel and open up many more possibiiites.

 

[Heyyou]

On the very slim chance that the end is next year, I would suggest getting a few Visa cards now, and when it becomes obvious to you that time is running out, go to France and have a ball maxing out the cards. Don't bother making any payments because the world will end long before they catch up with you.

France........That would not be my choice if I knew there were six months to the end of time. I would pack up a few things and head to Las Vegas. Everything I need is there. There is a way to pass the days (gambling and golf). There is a way to pass the nights (shows and houses of ill repute). In between there are fine restaurants. == Where would you go?

Sounds great! The only thing about gambling is it would take it's toll if you don't keep winning, being time is short.

 

[bigmck]

Sounds great! The only thing about gambling is it would take it's toll if you don't keep winning, being time is short.

I believe you say something about credit...............

 

[2010MegaScooter]

And, oh, Haha supposedly the world ends on the 21st on October so thats a week from now (When this message was posted. .)

 

[Golden]

Due to the sheer numbers of stars, planets, and galaxies out in the universe I think the chance of other Earth like planets is likely quite good.

The Drake equation states that:

where:

N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible;and

R* = the average rate of star formation per year in our galaxy

fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets

ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets

fℓ = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point

fi = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life

fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space

L = the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space.[

Drake equation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[bigmck]

The Drake equation states that:

where:

N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible;and

Looking at N, I believe the number is much smaller judging from samples of population in my fair city.