2012 is when the Mayan people though the end of the world would be. They didn't call it 2012, they used their amazingly accurate astronomical (notice I didn't type ASTROLOGICAL) calendar and noticed that there would be a certain, eerie alignment on what we call December 21st. I don't think that it's really going to be the end of the world, I think the galactic clock is just heading back to '12' - a new hour (turn) starting. That's what the alignment indicates, anyway.

If indeed the world ends in 2012, it'll be because of the panic started by all people who take these things at face value and don't do their research.

If anything, the world is in REAL danger of coming to an end near 2021 as there is a dangerously large asteroid that will come within striking distance of Earth's orbit. Don't hear much talk about THAT now, do we?