Episode 8: 8: Did People Really Believe the World Would End in 2012 – The Mayan Calendar Misunderstood

This episode explores the widespread myth that the world would end on December 21, 2012, based on a misunderstanding of the Mayan Long Count calendar. While that date did mark the end of a significant calendar cycle (the 13th bʼakʼtun), the Maya saw it as a time of renewal, not an apocalypse.

The myth was fueled by Western misinterpretations, media hype, and pseudoscientific claims — including solar flares, magnetic pole reversals, and the fictional planet “Nibiru.” Hollywood further amplified the fear with the release of the movie 2012, turning speculation into sensationalism.

Although many didn’t take it seriously, some people built bunkers, joined survivalist groups, or altered life plans out of fear. NASA and scientists actively debunked the myths, but the idea persisted because of its emotional power and viral spread.

In the end, nothing happened on December 21, 2012. The episode highlights how fear, media, and misinterpreted history can combine to create global myths — and how easily we can be fooled when we stop questioning the facts.