A critical history of 2012 mythology
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union January 1, 2011 John W. Hoopes 12 citations
The widespread belief that December 21, 2012 would bring physical catastrophes, a transformation of consciousness, or a New Age originated not from ancient Maya sources but from early speculation by credentialed academic experts. This idea grew as it was reinterpreted through speculative, counterculture metaphysics by individuals with both academic and non-academic backgrounds. The article provides a historical review of the key contributions that led to the emergence of the 2012 phenomenon, tracing how scholarly ideas were transformed into popular mythology.