Posted on 12/16/2012 7:01:53 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Doomsday Phobia: China Goes Nuts For End Of The World After Screening Of Apocalyptic Movie '2012'
BY IBTimes Staff Reporter | December 13 2012 10:06 AM
While many have written off the possibility of the end of the world this Dec. 21, 2012, some have made extreme moves in fear of doomsday and have even developed a phobia for the event.
People in China have been acting out in panic for the end of the world after a screening of doomsday film "2012."
According to the Asia Times, a screening of the 3D film "2012" in China last month has prompted a number of Chinese people to act out in panic for the doomsday prophecy and a heightened sense of importance for apocalyptic coverage in the media.
The online newspaper reported several instances of rash behavior which happened after the screening of the apocalypse film last month ahead of December 21.
One woman mortgaged her apartment in Nanjing for 3 million yuan ($482,000), took out her entire family savings and even borrowed money from friends in preparation for the end of the world.
"Since the world will soon come to an end and we'll all be gone, what should we keep our property and money for?" the woman told The Asia Times, which pointed out she is an educated university professor.
Another man, a carpenter in Chongqing, spent 110,000 yuan of his family savings "dining and wining" despite the birth of his new daughter. Similarly, a man in Xinjiang spent 1 million yuan of his family's savings to build an "ark" to flee to. A businessman in Zhejiang got a similar idea when he decided to advertise for "modern Noah's arks" for 1 to 5 million yuan. He said he received 21 orders since he advertised the places to be safe for even nuclear radiation.
Prompted by an end of the world report, a pair of cousins in Zhejiang quit their jobs and went on a robbing spree, committing 12 thefts in two months. They were eventually caught by the police amidst a binge on food and drinking.
Another woman in Hohhot threw all of her possessions out of window, believing they wouldn't provide value after doomsday.
So why all of the fuss over the end of the world? The Asia Times said many blame an "ideological vacuum" which causes many to believe "any novel ideas." It also cited the cause as a "growing sense of security" in Chinese society.
"Life nowadays seems to be full of crises," the newspaper wrote. "When you eat, you are worried over food safety. When you invest, you are worried you may lose all your money. When you travel you are worried about the possibility of a fatal accident. When you turn on TV, you see wars and disasters. When you are to get married, you are worried that you cannot afford owning a home. When you are sick, you are worried that you cannot afford medical care... Thus some people become increasingly nervous and anxious, thinking a world full of uncertainties and crises is close to its destruction."
P!
Someone must have renamed 2016: Obama’s America for the foreign market.
Maybe they should all jump off a foot-high box at the same time to see what happens.
I would love to see “2012” in 3D. I’m a fan of the disaster-movie genre, with its ensemble casts, laughable dialogue, ridiculous situations and pseudo-science. I enjoyed “2012” when it came out, but only saw it in regular format, not 3D.
That movie had it all! Earthquakes, volcanoes, Los Angeles sinking into the Pacific, hair-raising and preposterous escapes, and even John Cusack, who was well-cast. Even Woody Harrelson was really good in his character.
I can’t help but think that wherever he is, Irwin Allen must’ve really loved that film. :)
Anything that causes the Chinese regime some grief sounds good to me.
When you believe in nothing you will believe anything
Being a godless communist society for so long has not helped them
You would think that would-be communist overlords would have realized by now that stupid people are not worth leading
That would cause earthquakes and millions of Chinamen busting through our floors feet first.
The John Cusak movie?
How could anyone take that seriously?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120818064534AA1Rjg7
“Could America save on shipping costs by digging a tunnel to china through the center of the earth dudes?”
There is some suggestion that “apocalypse fear” is built into humans who, unlike animals that are limited to reacting to disasters, are able to imagine disasters yet experience close to disaster stress from just their own mind.
This applies to disasters and even strange events to the point that people honestly believe they have experienced something they haven’t. For example, it is a well known phenomenon that when UFO movies are aired in a location, after a delay of a week or two there will be claims of recent UFO abductions.
How could anyone take that seriously?
You think it's funny now, but when the Chinese paperboy shows up shouting "I want my 2 trillion!" you won't be laughing.
Hey, now, I’ve got a friend up in Portland, OR who thinks that movie is a documentary. Really.
She’s one of those 2012ers who think the world’s gonna end in a few more days.
Yeah, I know......I have a lot of weird friends. Most of them from Portland. I guess I’m King of the Island of Misfit Toys (one of my nicknames among my peers) owing to motley assortment of friends.
“Better Off Dead” - I likey.
his camaro was bitchin.
You get extra points for the Dead Milkmen line... ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.