To Be or Not To Be?

My knowledge about apocalyptic discourse extends as far as the computer plug that I am using right now. I have watched "I Am Legend" and "The Day After Tomorrow." I have not gone as far as thoroughly researching the topic and exploring the many theories in circulation. A Fox News article informed me of some possible 'armageddon' situations; computers taking over the world sounded the most interesting. Here is the definition of the term that many people understand:

On a more serious note, although the subject does not frighten me a large amount, it is still able to amaze me with its strength in manipulating the masses. The following examples showcase the gravity of the situation and its power over the people.
-"Deep beneath the ground in Kansas, one entrepreneur has started building upscale survivalist bunkers for the high-end set." (click here for article)
-"TIME takes a look at movements that have scared people into believing their days were numbered." Click here for article.
-Many books, such as the one on this website, attempt to reveal prophecies which in turn explain the demise of the entire world.

Many advisers have come to the conclusion that this is a marketing fallacy, intended to stir up economies. Others believe that this is all one enormous joke and are solely looking at the creative products that result, such as video games (Fallout or Deus Ex), movies and books (The Hunger Games), TV shows (The Walking Dead), spoofs (Oprah and Obama as Antichrists), etc. Others, many others, allow me to be continually surprised by how seriously they have taken this apparently foreseeable event. Although the bible and its interpretation has led to these hypotheses, advertising and media coverage have played a very large role in the worldwide popularity the presumed Apocalypse has acclaimed. Thus, both religious and secular groups alike have become involved, perhaps only adding to the chaos that has ensued. This is congruent to last week's talk about gender and sexuality, expect here, the roles are reversed; non-religious groups are instead adding fuel to the fire.

-Arina


Note:

-This is a very informative website that summarizes what the Apocalypse is, describes its authenticity, content and arguments against it.

-Scholarly articles are sparse on the topic but here is an interesting one that discusses the function of the Apocalypse.