The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of beliefs and proposals positing that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur in the year 2012. The forecast is based primarily on what is said to be the end-date of the Mayan Long Count calendar, which is presented as lasting 5,125 years and as terminating on December 21 or 23, 2012. Arguments supporting these scenarios are drawn from a mixture of archaeoastronomical speculation, alternative interpretations of mythology, numerological constructions, and alleged prophecies from extraterrestrial beings.

Directed by Roland Emmerich, and starring John Cusack and Amanda Peet, 2012 takes the “natural disasters foretold by ancient calendar” angle. Sun storms are affecting Earth, culminating in tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes. The story itself appears to be standard for disaster movies – short on science, long on stories of numerous individuals, and high on amazing special effects, with a small dose of conspiracy.

If the world might end in 2012 then we might as well enjoy the few years we have left with the help of an herbal vaporizer.