Global Q&A: ‘Do you think the year 2012 has any special cosmic significance?’

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Oscar Capobianco, 67, Writer-Actor

It is important for me, because it represents the day, month, and year of finalization of a great cosmic cycle already predicted with marvelous accuracy by the Maya, called the Large Time. A new awake of the galaxy. And it invites us to redefine our awareness, to be more oneself joined with the ‘whole,’ with the Creation, and every form of life that is know in this existence. It is a change not an end. It is a turn of the rudder to put the bow to the infinite, and not a change of the life’s ship. Thus I expect it; thus I will live it as a special invitation to be a better sentient being, and to deserve the enormous privilege of life.

Medellín, Colombia

Julián Andrés Rodriguez Comas, 25, Chef

My personal view is a bit contradictory, because I have the certainty that yes, this year will be a special one in some way, but I do not know exactly what form it will take. … I doubt very much what most media say about the end of the world. I have expectations that if several cultures agree that the end of their respective calendars is the year 2012, then this will be the year that each one of us and part of humanity, will have the opportunity to begin a new path that allows us to arrive, and find personal tranquility that we have always sought.

Bucharest, Romania

Andrei Darlau, 47, Translator

I think we’ll face some significant evolutions toward preparation of a new world war. It’s possible that the war won’t start in 2012, but we will see some important premises in this direction. A cosmic significance? It’s very possible. Something of great importance may happen, something that will have a huge impact for the coming years. I would not go further in saying that it’s the end of the world, or the vibrations will change, but something of major importance will take place.

Toowoomba, Australia

Tim Philp, 28, Food Processing

Cosmic as in astrology; or astronomy! I’d say 2012 will be a pretty big year in world events. I’ve been hearing stuff from NASA that there will be big solar storms, which may well cause some damage to earth. But I think 2012 will be a big year, and will be very significant. What that will be I’m not entirely sure. 

Lima, Peru

Angélica Inchaustegui, 47, Sales Executive

About 2012, there are many views on the end of the world, but I think it may be a change of life, entering a new era—like entering another dimension. I feel a lot of confusion, having previously always said that the world will end, and what I see are climate change, and people change their ideas and concepts. Really, who only decides when to change the world, solar systems, et cetera? Only God will.

Kungsbacka, Sweden

Linda Krantz, 40, Salesperson

I’m sure that it has! But I really don’t know; I’m so busy with everything going on in real life so I have not thought much about such things. 

Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Nadya Lyutskanova, 66, Machine Engineer

Certainly, there will not be any end of the world in 2012! The creators of man and Earth did not make us in order to destroy all that. There might be some changes, but no catastrophes. Cosmic mastermind dictates how things will evolve; I definitely believe that. I hope that during 2012 people realize that things are up to them and stop waiting for someone else to solve their problems.

Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.

Reda Thabet, 70, Retired Lawyer

I don’t think so at all. … There’s a lot of things about it, but I doubt it, very doubtful. As I have a belief in God … and He told us in many, many ways that nobody will know when the time comes. … Only He knows it, and he wouldn’t reveal it to anybody … so I just don’t believe in any of that stuff. 

Puerto Montt, Chile

Raúl Alarcon, 40, Salesman

Yes, I think that 2012 has a special cosmic significance, but I do not believe it will be as people are saying; it’s the end of the world or things like that. I believe that only God knows how and when all this will end. No matter how many prophecies or forecasts there are about the matter, I think the Almighty is the only one who has the last word about it. 

Dunedin, New Zealand

Victoria Cossou, 42, Veterinary Nurse

Cosmic significance … no. Well, I don’t believe all the end of the world things that are going around. I just don’t feel that this is the year that’s going to happen. To me, this year is going to be a good year, but nothing cosmic. It’s just a feeling that I get. I’m not depressed about the future; it’s all good. 

Sweden (visiting Dubai)

Sophie Jahn, 23, Financial Manager

Well I don’t really believe in that because they say that every year—like this is going to happen, and the world is going to go under to war; there is going to be a tsunami, or something; you know, whatever. And they said that the world would go under at 2000 and it never happened, so I just believe the world won’t go under yet, and life will go on for a long time. And I just try to be positive, and don’t believe in all that because that will just make you a bit scared. 

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: Do you think there should be zero tolerance limit for drinking and driving?