LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - For some, doomsday is fast approaching. But,
Dr. Terry Richard, a UALR professor who teaches sociology and anthropology and
studied the ancient Mayan civilization, said Dec. 21, 2012 will be like any
other day.
"It's not unusual-these types of scenarios where individuals think they
can divine when the end of the world is going to come," said Dr. Richard. He
added that while the Mayan calendar is mystifying, it's nothing to panic about.
"The reality is this thing with the Mayan End of the World on Dec. 21
has already been disproven by most experts in the Mayan language [saying] there's
nothing really in there," he explained.
Dec. 21, 2012 is said to be when Mayan astronomers predicted the apocalypse,
but Richard said it's more our society creating delusional beliefs and trying
to make them reality.
"Individuals just really grasp on to these particular beliefs, and it
becomes a reality to them," he said. "In fact, we call it the social
construction of reality. In many cases their reality is constructed, and it
doesn't matter if it's true."
With all of the being said, Richard told THV 11 News how advanced the Mayans
were in science and architecture is true.
"They did some things that were outstandingly ahead of their times--such
as their calendar. The Mayan Calendar was remarkably accurate considering they
didn't have the astronomical tools that we have. So, it is, it kind of adds to
this air of perhaps they knew something that we didn't," he said.
If you needed more reassurance that the world will not end tomorrow, experts
say the Mayan Calendar did not account for leap years, and Dec. 21 may not
coincide with our calendar dates.