Bizarre: Skeptics Cashing in on 2012
I’m a skeptic at heart, but when things pass by BS detector I can be a believer of sorts. So while I dismiss Planet X, I believe there could be a scientific basis to the Long Count calendar. If I were to devote my time to writing about skeptical topics, I’d try to avoid saying things like:
- Previous end of the world predictions have failed, so therefore so will this one (terrible logic)
- 2012 authors are just in it for the money (biased opinion)
Regarding the latter, it is something I have been regularly accused of – despite spending thousands of hours operating a forum that costs me money to run, and selling a book at the cheapest price I can (Survive 2012 at Amazon UK is just £3.67 with free shipping). I do run ads on my websites, but it is mostly to offset costs rather than get rich. For example, 2012 Connect costs me $20 per month to operate, and ads brought in $3.20 so far this month. Not exactly a get rich scheme!
The thing is, unless you are a volunteer, most people are in it for the money to some degree. And now, with delicious irony, some 2012 skeptics – James Randi etc – are trying to make a profit from 2012!
For up to $3,152, enjoy a 7-day cruise – where top skeptics will tell you the world is not about to end!
You’ve heard the claims: “The world is ending in December!” “The Mayans predicted a shift in cosmic consciousness at the end of 2012!” In this fun exploration of unlikely doomsday predictions, we’ll set sail from Tampa, Florida to the heart of Mayan civilization, with stops in the Rotan Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico. Between guided tours and talks about prophecies of impending doom and other skeptical topics, you’ll have ample time to scuba, snorkel, enjoy the beach and the jungle, and see some of the most beautiful Mayan ruins.
But the best part? You’ll be spending the week with Randi and scores of other seafaring skeptics like you, sharing laughs, learning, and like-minded community while the world doesn’t end.
So, while I provide my time and info (virtually for free), because I genuinely believe that something terrible could happen this December – and I implore people to prepare (just in case), these self-righteous money-grabbers will take you to the very place the Mayans made their prophecy, just before the end of the Mayan calendar, and they will charge big bucks to tell you that 2012 writers are just in it for the money and all previous doomsday predictions were wrong. If there is a Mayan god, who would he strike down first?
I’ve definitely noticed a BIG “change in the tide” since July, 2012. The World is NOT Ending is the new apocalyptic buzz.
There is undoubtedly a growing number of junk books and products shouting this theme (the Cruise is the epitome of it). Then there are ‘respected’ scholars/scientists promoting themselves and their careers by writing on this “popular” topic. I suppose the latter is fair enough, but I have no tolerance for the former.
Finally, there are a very few skeptics who take the time to write books/blogs and create awareness, etc because they truly just want to get their word out. They aren’t really gaining much of anything. These are the ones I find I respect the most – they are also among the most hard-working in terms of research and respect for those holding diverse opinions, in my experience.
It really ticks me off when skeptics of any type assume or claim anyone saying the end “could” (let alone “will”) happen is a con-artist/scammer – even people who aren’t earning or asking for a dime (which I believe is the majority). I’ve seen many skeptics dramatically springboard off the “fact” of the Evil Doomsayer to promote their own Good Skeptic position, so people will automatically “buy into” what they’re pitching instead. The worst of the skeptics are turning out to be just as endangering to society as the worst of the doomsayers in multiple ways.
So, I think now is a great time for more “consumer beware” type posts such as this one in the 2012/apocalyptic/survivalist online community. I’ll be reporting on it, that’s for sure.
Thanks for this post…and thanks for all the hard work, time and money you do put into this site!
@joan
Nicely put.