Do People Mentally Get 'Off' From the Hype of End of the World Theories/Conspiracies/Claims and?

a reply to: TheIceQueen

I think there are probably several things playing a role in Human fascination with the End of the World scenarios.

Firstly, we have certain instinctual aspects that we're not engaging in modern life. For example, it could be suggested that Humans need a certain level of "threat" to function. We've evolved extremely quickly, socially, and I think many would agree that there are some Human characteristics that seem to suggest we have a lot of "residual" cave man in us, so to speak.

Then we have media (which really stems from my initial point, created by people who crave that excitement and can imagine it and tell it) which reinforces the notion in viewers.

We also have the reality of living in a world more connected than ever before in Human history. If a volcano erupted a few thousand miles away back in 1850 you would have no clue. Now, we see these things happen in real time, all around the world. Even just a century ago we wouldn't have known about the Asian Tsunami, or if we did have reports and stories about it only a minority would hear (literacy rates), and only parts of it. There was no way we could have understood how utterly devastating it was.

I also happen to think that the phrase "Ignorance is bliss" is a valid one. Most Humans are deeply sympathetic to the plights of others, and when we see something disastrous happen and we are incapable of doing anything to help people, it creates overwhelming feelings of futility, which then contributes to depression.

So, I think people obsess about these things because we have an instinctual drive for survival, and to prepare for it. In our world that is hammered home by 24 hour news stories about all the disasters happening everywhere, and it exacerbates the feeling of futility, which increases the feelings of depression, which increases negative thoughts and pessimism about the future.

I would love to see a study where those with depression are given a prescription to include turning off all news media. No reading the papers, go away for the week, have a drink with friends... it might seem simplistic, but I have a feeling many of those who suffer from depression might benefit immensely from just becoming a little more ignorant to what is out of their control.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

When I look at this website (for example) along with other websites that enable the sharing of people's thoughts, etc, I see people partaking in this hype about the end of the world, and obsessing about multiple theories (practically new theories every day) about the world ending and impending catastrophic events like "a super volcano that is going to erupt at any moment" or "a tidal wave that is going to hit (blank blank) country and trigger an earthquake that will make the magnetic poles shift" or "the outbreak of ebola and how it is spreading to our countries in large amounts- Western countries that is (when it obviously is not) and how it is going to wipe everyone out", etc..

I've a pet peeve conspiracy about Oxford commas, but I digress. Conspiracy theories, while often entertaining dependent upon the subject matter, represent for many an oft very personal means of protest against authority in general or in particular the powers that indisputably control their lives. Human nature is synonomous with speculation by proxy of desire to question all that exists around us; to discover why other human beings choose to believe without question and follow without straying the path of acceptance--to kneel before the way "things" are.

The tone throughout your first paragraph reminds of one who also believes in conspiracies--or at least is open to them--yet first must find confirmation to fully explore them through intelligent discourse with other closet conspiracists. Hence another of the foundation motivations to do investigate conspiracies when and where they arise: the need to discover what questions have arisen in the minds of others; to find some degree of codependency or justification for the veracity or lack thereof to the issues that matter most.

Anything is possible. Is "anything" likely or imminent? On the frontier of that question begins the exploration for truth in conspiracy.

These people constantly obsess about these things and seem to get some sort of psychological arousal/thrill from it, which isn't a mystery or anything in terms of why- from a psychological stand point. It's almost as if it is a fetish that many people have.. It's ridiculous. Yet at the same time very curious. I'm expecting people who do all of the above that i'm describing to read this post and surely snap back in replies, so i'll address those of you directly when I ask WHY do you get so pumped up over the idea of something catastrophic happening, the world perishing & ending, people dying, your loved ones dying and you dying (this is what your theories predict after all)? Why out of all things to obsess about and consume your time and constant daily thinking about, would you choose this, something so unhealthy (not to mention irrational, with no ACTUAL comprehensive scientific basis besides the things collected by you and others during this craze which is then deemed to be "evidence"- although to the rational mind it is not in anyway so)..

If the statements and attempts for derived consensus contained within your first few sentences were true, would you be here on ATS? No need to "snap back" or defend my own personal interest in conspiracies. Human nature, as you yourself admit, is justification and explanation in full. Life is mundane, can be boring, oppressive, a daily slog through the range of emotions, and it is often very exhausting and painful. Scenarios lie at the heart of mental adventure (in my case), so that being the case would it surprise you that wondering, ruminating, questioning and running what if's stimulate all facets of a healthy mind (again in my case). There's just nothing like giving that wheel of thought a big spin and regardless of where it lands, setting off to penetrate the unknown on your own within yourself or with a friend.

The simulation or speculation of loss of life has been entertainment for the masses since time immemorial. Speaking to conspiratorial disasters resulting in megadeth ... no one I know wants such an event to happen, however, many--myself included--find contemplation of such scenarios absolutely fascinating. Waiting for the zombie apocalypse--aren't we all?

It's really bothering me lately, because so many people are doing this, every where I look people are participating in this mass state of delusion.. I get that it is probably a psychological thrill and adrenaline rush to brew up these theories and think of such things occurring (something that your subconscious mind probably finds to be exciting compared to everyday repetitive life), but isn't there something else that one would seemingly find to obsess and brew about, something that is gee, I don't know, not a form of obsessions about everyone and everything being wiped off of the planet and the world ending as we know it? Something that ISN'T unhealthy to your mental state of being (which it is to obsess on a constant basis about horrific end of the world conspiracies/theories)..

Everyone is doing the ice bucket nonsense as well. I'd wager there's even a conspiracy about that. Mass states of delusion in your opinion seem to be a condition attributable to anyone out there who dares to question why, who refuses to accept the face value truth of history or present day events as taught or reported. Count me in, I am definitely one of "those". Again, I get the sense, with respect, that your attempt to demonstrate absolute maturity and rational mindset at the expense of the so-called lunatic fringe, is in truth an effort to find justification to engage in the same practices you decry. To that I must say let loose the dogs of conspiracy!

I just don't understand it (personally). And I know that most of you would not admit to it and that many of you don't even realize it, but how can you practically 'get off' to obsessing about various forms of an apocalypse? Do these types of people (if you're not one of them, you know what i'm talking about) 'get off' from this stuff?

As mentioned above, respectfully, I suspect that you "get it" quite well.

originally posted by: AphoticJoe
a reply to: TheIceQueen

When I look at this website (for example) along with other websites that enable the sharing of people's thoughts, etc, I see people partaking in this hype about the end of the world, and obsessing about multiple theories (practically new theories every day) about the world ending and impending catastrophic events like "a super volcano that is going to erupt at any moment" or "a tidal wave that is going to hit (blank blank) country and trigger an earthquake that will make the magnetic poles shift" or "the outbreak of ebola and how it is spreading to our countries in large amounts- Western countries that is (when it obviously is not) and how it is going to wipe everyone out", etc..

I've a pet peeve conspiracy about Oxford commas, but I digress. Conspiracy theories, while often entertaining dependent upon the subject matter, represent for many an oft very personal means of protest against authority in general or in particular the powers that indisputably control their lives. Human nature is synonomous with speculation by proxy of desire to question all that exists around us; to discover why other human beings choose to believe without question and follow without straying the path of acceptance--to kneel before the way "things" are.

The tone throughout your first paragraph reminds of one who also believes in conspiracies--or at least is open to them--yet first must find confirmation to fully explore them through intelligent discourse with other closet conspiracists. Hence another of the foundation motivations to do investigate conspiracies when and where they arise: the need to discover what questions have arisen in the minds of others; to find some degree of codependency or justification for the veracity or lack thereof to the issues that matter most.

Anything is possible. Is "anything" likely or imminent? On the frontier of that question begins the exploration for truth in conspiracy.

These people constantly obsess about these things and seem to get some sort of psychological arousal/thrill from it, which isn't a mystery or anything in terms of why- from a psychological stand point. It's almost as if it is a fetish that many people have.. It's ridiculous. Yet at the same time very curious. I'm expecting people who do all of the above that i'm describing to read this post and surely snap back in replies, so i'll address those of you directly when I ask WHY do you get so pumped up over the idea of something catastrophic happening, the world perishing & ending, people dying, your loved ones dying and you dying (this is what your theories predict after all)? Why out of all things to obsess about and consume your time and constant daily thinking about, would you choose this, something so unhealthy (not to mention irrational, with no ACTUAL comprehensive scientific basis besides the things collected by you and others during this craze which is then deemed to be "evidence"- although to the rational mind it is not in anyway so)..

If the statements and attempts for derived consensus contained within your first few sentences were true, would you be here on ATS? No need to "snap back" or defend my own personal interest in conspiracies. Human nature, as you yourself admit, is justification and explanation in full. Life is mundane, can be boring, oppressive, a daily slog through the range of emotions, and it is often very exhausting and painful. Scenarios lie at the heart of mental adventure (in my case), so that being the case would it surprise you that wondering, ruminating, questioning and running what if's stimulate all facets of a healthy mind (again in my case). There's just nothing like giving that wheel of thought a big spin and regardless of where it lands, setting off to penetrate the unknown on your own within yourself or with a friend.

The simulation or speculation of loss of life has been entertainment for the masses since time immemorial. Speaking to conspiratorial disasters resulting in megadeth ... no one I know wants such an event to happen, however, many--myself included--find contemplation of such scenarios absolutely fascinating. Waiting for the zombie apocalypse--aren't we all?

It's really bothering me lately, because so many people are doing this, every where I look people are participating in this mass state of delusion.. I get that it is probably a psychological thrill and adrenaline rush to brew up these theories and think of such things occurring (something that your subconscious mind probably finds to be exciting compared to everyday repetitive life), but isn't there something else that one would seemingly find to obsess and brew about, something that is gee, I don't know, not a form of obsessions about everyone and everything being wiped off of the planet and the world ending as we know it? Something that ISN'T unhealthy to your mental state of being (which it is to obsess on a constant basis about horrific end of the world conspiracies/theories)..

Everyone is doing the ice bucket nonsense as well. I'd wager there's even a conspiracy about that. Mass states of delusion in your opinion seem to be a condition attributable to anyone out there who dares to question why, who refuses to accept the face value truth of history or present day events as taught or reported. Count me in, I am definitely one of "those". Again, I get the sense, with respect, that your attempt to demonstrate absolute maturity and rational mindset at the expense of the so-called lunatic fringe, is in truth an effort to find justification to engage in the same practices you decry. To that I must say let loose the dogs of conspiracy!

I just don't understand it (personally). And I know that most of you would not admit to it and that many of you don't even realize it, but how can you practically 'get off' to obsessing about various forms of an apocalypse? Do these types of people (if you're not one of them, you know what i'm talking about) 'get off' from this stuff?

As mentioned above, respectfully, I suspect that you "get it" quite well.

It is one thing to think outside of the box (as unfortunately most humans do not) and to create an imaginary box and fill it up with ridiculous, deprived end of the world obsessions. There is a difference between being an independent thinker who develops their own opinion instead of listening to the opinion they are told to have and people who come off with insane theories and begin obsessing about the doom of the entire world and inhabitants of it.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

I look people are participating in this mass state of delusion.

But it is not. We all know the super volcanos have gone up before, we all KNOW that things have collided with earth before...on and on now add the fact that humans are really rotten and have created all kinds of means to end the whole planet. How can you call it delusions. I think the ones who like discussing the various topics are not afraid since we are all going to die anyway why be afraid to talk about it.

Is it any different than discussing what if you get cancer like someone else in your family did?

Please note many of our greats like Sir Isaac newton did the same, made time lines toward the end of the world and such. These guys actualkly answer your question way better than anyone on here will worth a read.

Sir Martin Reese, one of today’s leading scientists, published a book entitled Our final hour (Our final century in the UK) in which he argues that the human race has only a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the 21st century. Apocalypticism is not the exclusive domain of the lunatic fringe.

topinfopost.com...

People who are full of fear should avoid reading these things in my opinion or until they can learn discussing is nothing to be afraid of and not to take any prediction to heart until a scientist tells us something will be hitting us on such and such date, no need to worry even the greats speculate.

I don't enjoy doom threads or doom for the sake of it.

Though IMO it might bring to the surface group survival bonding of sorts in such that it might be an awakening that we might be able to shift things for the good for the survival of humanity from being awake and aware of the things that are destroying it and the things that are healing it.

Humanity is used to living in large groups and having group mentality, it is only recently that society has shoved us into our own insular worlds. We are part of a greater whole and that realisation is intriguing and inspirational and that produces good effects.

It is ingrained in our DNA to be part of the greater community and for true integration and that means more than just living in the same towns and having friends it is realisation that there is more to humanity than factory machines, breeding and chasing the financial dream, the true reality is far greater and far more satisfying to our psyche as it is the stuff we are made of, it is reconnection to the absoluteness of the universe.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

The world is in such a bad way and things are increasingly getting worse, so this is one of the reasons that most people can sense that something major is about to happen, and they want to be prepared. You obviously don't have this sense, so in your case, ignorance is bliss.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

I dont take joy in knowing that people suffer from the disasters you reference. But, I do believe the increasing frequency and intensity of these disasters are a sign that Jesus is returning. I find joy in Jesus' return, as it will be a time that true justice will be dispensed. I dont think it is foolish to believe that perfect justice will finally be served. If there is not justice, there is no point in anything. Evil must be put in its place, and mankind has proven itself incompetent at dispensing true justice.

originally posted by: Maigret
a reply to: TheIceQueen

The world is in such a bad way and things are increasingly getting worse, so this is one of the reasons that most people can sense that something major is about to happen, and they want to be prepared. You obviously don't have this sense, so in your case, ignorance is bliss.

LOL. No, i'm aware of the situation and what is going on around the world- however I don't obsessively go on a constant 'the world is coming to an end' online binge (based off of no scientific evidence and just doomsday porn addicted individuals theories).

Just out of curiosity, you call "being prepared" posting nonstop about how the world is going to end and searching on google nonstop for ways that it will end and "signs" being "prepared"?! LOL.
Yeah that sounds like some hardcore preemptive planning and 'doomsday prepping'... Most of these people (that I am referring to) have no idea how to even load a gun or start a fire without a lighter, let alone know what and the hell to do with themselves once the internet stopped working.


Theres a vast difference between knowing what is going on around you and being in koo-koo lala doomsday porn land spreading senseless hype on the internet.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

To be honest, yes, they do, although it may be subconscious, they do.

I have to agree with those that buck the evolution, response to the world's problems, primal response stuff. I happen to believe that it's just escapism. It's the idea of fantasy, a reset switch, and probably even becoming someone else. I was never one to stock-up on supplies until August 29, 2005. I am a New Orleans native and that date changed my views. This was the mythical storm that we all knew would hit one day, but never thought that it would actually happen. Since then, I have invested in prepping for that type of scenario. But I thought, "what if some of the other possible but not likely scenarios were to occur?" So I modified my supplies to be more generalized. I
On the idea of the reset: I, and many others I know, were able to use this as a chance to start something new. We were forced to break our constant daily routines. No more weekday jobs, doing the same mundane tasks. I became a residential contractor, and in doing so, learned a crazy amount about building techniques, electricity, plumbing, foundations, business, etc. Once again, things have come in handy ever since. Others got out of their old jobs and were able to become their own bosses, thus becoming successful and having opportunities that would have been much harder, if not highly unlikely, to come by. So, in a way, Katrina took so much away, but also gave back. Relax. I know not everyone has good stories. I do have friends and family that were so damned adversely affected. My family is now sporadically placed throughout south Louisiana instead of being centralized. I'll not forget those have died.
On fantasy: I believe that doom porn provides people with the idea of change from normal life; the chance to become someone they've always wanted to be. It's a change from common life. Not everyone is so happy with where they are. A catastrophic scenario would be a forced change that everyone would have to make. It's not just giving up your lifestyle or making a career change. I mean, c'mon... what guy doesn't think that in a TEOTAWKI scenario they'd become some bada%$, or survivor. It becomes a daily drive with a sense of purpose and survival. No more 9-5, dinner, kids to bed, rinse and repeat.
I know some people take the prepping thing so seriously, and some too far, but for a great majority of those I know, doom porn is more about, I don't know...role playing? I certainly don't hope that anything happens, especially something permanent. But i sure love the s**t out of the idea of a temporary break from life. Hurricane Isaac caused lost power for thousands for up to 7 days. But not me. Oh not me. My family and I were sitting comfy with a fridge, portable A/C unit, TV, and XBOX, all powered by my generator and dozens of gallons of gas. I had an abundance of food and clean water and lighting. Kerosene lanterns for the just in case. Oh and did I mention that during the outages I got to ward off would be looters from my property with my handguns? Were it not for prepping and the joy of doom porn, we may have been one of those families that got robbed or killed.
So it's not all about the end of the world, just the end of the world as we know it (or a break). Get it? I apologize for the long-winded reply.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

I think the reset button theory is very credible regarding people who look forward to a disaster that will cause mass havoc. Most of them see themselves as heroic survivors of such a scenario. As such it's just another hero fantasy.

Those who are obsessed with/look forward to an apocalypse (end of all human life) always seem to regard themselves as among the chosen few who will be rewarded with eternal life. Even more than looking forward to eternal life, I've noticed that they lick their lips at the thoughts of the death throes and eternal torment of those "left behind".

I think there's another category of people who want to take reasonable precautions to have enough food, water, and medical supplies to survive a short-term catastrophe like an earthquake/tsunami/flood etc.. Their motivation seems to be different from the other two groups. They simply want to survive short-term.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

What is really happening is that people are tired of their traitorous government.

People are tired of lies, wars, death, stealing.

People want a change even if it is doomy

The world is set up against me. That's how it feels. The cards are stacked. The dice are loaded.

Other people seem to have control over me, preventing me from being what I want to be, doing what I want to do.

Hell, I wouldn't care if the whole damn' house of cards fell down tomorrow. I'd be better off. All the rules would be suspended. All my debts would be cancelled. All my obligations would vanish. All bets would be off.

And guys like me, guys who've been shoved around and laughed at and sent to the back of the line every time, guys like me will have our chance. And I'm gonna be prepared. When the Big One comes, I'll be ready and waiting.

*

And yes, there's the variant that goes

...folk like us, folk who've been shoved around and laughed at and sent to the back of the line every time, we'll get our reward. God will see to that. And He'll see to it that the sinners are punished, too. Not us. The faithful will be prepared. When the Master comes, we'll be ready and waiting.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

I can't speak for anyone but myself but I know I would like to see something apocalyptic happen. I feel like there are more on this planet who deserve justice than there are who deserve mercy.

a reply to: corvuscorrax

Justice and mercy are not deserts. Everybody is entitled to them in equal measure.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

Yes, it's called "fearporn" for a reason. Some people love things that make them scared of the future such as end of the world prophecies.

a reply to: TheIceQueen

One thing I do not think has been mentioned is the 'competition factor.' People find a nugget of information and want to post it before someone else (people like to be the one in the know, no?) ...and in their push to garner attention to their thread/topic, they err on the side of overstating the danger. I'm willing to bet half of the people who say "we're all gonna die from this" don't REALLY think that. But it gets a lot of attention, so there you have it.

Now, that said, we all must admit that no one knows what the future holds. Apocalyptic events occur all the time on a local level. And to a person living in that particular area, the 'whole world' did come to an end.

I don't worry too much about doom porn, when I see it as such. I just move on. Also, I DO keep an eye on certain situations. Ebola, I feel, IS something to stay abreast of. But I'm not walking around in a Hazmat suit... yet. (LOL)

Two reasons:

First:
Our society is becoming more and more stratified, with the elites at the top, with positions that are staying in the same families. Most bank executives have a previous bank exec in their families. Most members of US congress have at least one former member in their extended families. Most movie stars you can name have a parent who worked in showbiz. And more and more are crossovers. Jon Stewart's brother is the President of the New York Stock Exchange. Is yours?

The common people intuit that the rest of us are really basically peasants. And the only time when that changes is when there is a catastrophe of an epic scale that re-arranges the fabric of civilization. A another mere war simply won't do it. Most blacks in the US were farming the same fields, for the same white families, as before the civil war. Most Germans and Brits who survived the war were in the exact same social class afterward. A catastrophe, especially if there is a high death toll, will shuffle the whole deck of cards, and some people who are on the bottom will be running the next show. "The first shall be last" and all that.

Second:
It REALLY IS the end of the age. You can tell when a society is approaching the end. The French even have a term for it: "Fin de siecle". At first there is a flowering of the popular arts. (We called it "The Sixties" in our culture). Then comes a period of consumption by the elites, a "Gilded Age" like before World War I. Then all the art dries up. Just like in ancient Greece and Rome, as the barbarians gathered at the gates. Music sales in all genres are in a long-term slump, since the 2008 market crash. Fashion and Movies are merely recycling the hits of previous generations, or doing "reality TV". We've had 8 years of economic stagnation, world-wide.

Not that this means we really WILL experience an apocalypse right now; but it feels that way in the Zeitgeist. People hunger for stories with what they feel. A lot of the little people feel like they don't really have a future. THAT is a crisis, even if the little people are wrong. It's a crisis because they have no long-term hope in the future. So they prepare for the worst.