With the devastating earthquake, and subsequent tsunami that affected Japan and other Pacific nations this weekend some people are claiming that this is a sign that the planet is doomed, the clock is ticking, and that on Dec 21, 2012 the world as we know it will end. Frankly, this is utter bullshit. That is not to say that everybody who says it is willfully misleading others or fabricating the truth. Quite the contrary, it is to be very honest about your beliefs, very sincere, and still believe something that is categorically wrong. Like the idea that this earthquake has anything to do with any ideas about 2012.

This natural disaster was devastating without a doubt. The seismic activity has endangered homes, offices, business, nuclear power planets, you get the picture. An 8.9 earthquake is quite powerful and definitely capable of “shaking things up as it were.” To add insult to proverbial injury, the seismic activity caused a tsunami that created problems not just for Japan, but for coast lines all over the Western Pacific ocean.

As the days progress, rescue crews will work to the point of exhaustion and beyond attempting to help as many survivors as they possibly can. International charity organizations such as the Red Cross will be accepting donations for their efforts to bring food, water, medicine, and other basic provisions to those in the most need.

Once again, the people of Earth will be called upon to think of each other, to sacrifice something so that those in need may be provided for. This is not unusual, in fact, massive charity efforts frequently follow these kinds of disasters in the modern world, and with good reason. Our technology has brought all the people of this planet closer together than ever before. We are no longer ignorant of the suffering that may occur on the other side of the world, unless we choose to be.

For the most part however, we all see images like those coming out of Japan now, or those which came out of Haiti a little over a year ago, we are moved to do something, anything for our fellow human beings. While I often look at modern society and despair at the way we seem to be collectively oblivious to our own destructive nature, how many of us are willing to allow apathy and leisure dissuade us from pushing for positive change, it is, perhaps ironically, times like now when I am reminded of humanity’s nobility. Our ability, no our need to empathize, and share with those less fortunate gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, we can manage to survive our own actions. As for the theories about 2012, they may as well be bedtime stories about the boogie man.




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