Ep 7. 2012

Season 1 Episode 7 of Brad Meltzer's Decoded is named "2012," and it takes a deep dive into the end-of-the-world Mayan prophecies surrounding the year 2012. The episode is part of Brad Meltzer's Decoded series, which follows a team of investigators as they explore historical mysteries and conspiracy theories.

The episode begins by discussing the ancient Mayan civilization and their intricate calendar system. The Mayans believed in cyclical time, and their calendar was based on a series of repeating cycles, one of which ended in the year 2012. This has led many people to believe that the Mayans predicted the end of the world in 2012.

The investigators first visit a man who believes that the Mayan prophecies are true. He has spent years building an underground bunker to protect himself and his family in case of a catastrophic event. He shows the team his bunker and explains that he's been preparing for the end of the world for years.

The team then visits a Mayan expert who explains the intricacies of the Mayan calendar system and debunks the idea that the Mayans predicted the end of the world in 2012. She explains that the Mayans saw this as simply the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

Next, the team investigates the possibility of a polar shift causing the end of the world. Some people believe that the earth's magnetic poles could shift, causing catastrophic events like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. However, the investigators speak with experts who explain that although a polar shift could occur, it is highly unlikely to happen in 2012.

The team also delves into the idea of a massive solar storm causing widespread destruction. They speak with a NASA scientist who explains that solar storms can cause power outages and satellite malfunctions but are not likely to cause the end of the world.

The episode also explores the idea of a rogue planet colliding with Earth. Some theories suggest that a planet called Nibiru will collide with Earth in 2012, causing the end of the world. However, the team speaks with a physicist who explains that there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

Finally, the team investigates the possibility of a man-made disaster causing the end of the world. They speak with a former CIA agent who explains that there are many threats to national security, including cyber-attacks, nuclear war, and bioterrorism. While no one knows if these events will occur in 2012, it's crucial to be prepared for any eventuality.

Overall, "2012" is an intriguing episode that explores some of the most popular end-of-the-world theories surrounding the year 2012. The team of investigators provides a balanced perspective, looking at both the evidence supporting and debunking these theories. While it's clear that the world didn't come to an end in 2012, the episode serves as a reminder that it's always important to be prepared for any eventuality.