# When the world is going to end? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 25, 2000, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170 "2000-12-25T11:18:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170/21 "2000-12-27T00:46:36Z")
On December 21[sup]st[/sup], 2012, the world we live in will end, according to the Mayan calendar. On that day, the Fourth Sun will end. Of course, the Fifth Sun will begin immediately afterwards, so most folks won’t notice much of a change. I’m betting there will be a big-arse party in the Yucatan, though. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170/22 "2000-12-27T02:41:26Z")
There’s a story about the end of earth. I wish I could recall where I read it. Anyway, a professor is explaining to his class that in four and a half billion years, the sun will expand into a red giant and engulf the inner planets including the earth. A hand goes up in the back. Professor: Yes. Student: How long did you say before the earth is engulfed? Professor: Why, four and a half billion years. Student: That’s a relief, I thought you said four and a half _million_ years. ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170/23 "2000-12-27T03:44:06Z")
I can’t tell you when it will happen, but I can tell you one thing about the End of The World: You think it’s hard to get a cab _now_… ---
**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170/24 "2000-12-27T04:33:57Z")
Damnit DrMatrix, you beat me to the punch. I wanted to post that joke. _sulks_ ---
**Author:** ![Phobos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Phobos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phobos)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170/25 "2000-12-27T13:26:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Punoqllads \* > \*\*On December 21[sup]st[/sup], 2012, the world we live in will end, according to the Mayan calendar. On that day, the Fourth Sun will end. > \*\* Ah yes, how could I forget that? Here’s the link… [http://www.levity.com/eschaton/Why2012.html](http://www.levity.com/eschaton/Why2012.html) ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170/26 "2000-12-27T14:52:18Z")
\<\< That’s a relief, I thought you said four and a half million years. \>\> Dr Matrix, to set your mind at ease, the originator of that joke (I am reasonably sure) was Walt Kelly. And one of the other folks listening to the conversation thinks a minute, and then says, “Four and half million years, eh? … Before or after lunch?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-world-is-going-to-end/47170.md?page=1)