Happy New Year: 2011

A new year has arrived. Like the majority of people, I’m keeping my fingers crossed; 2011 is the hope of a brighter future.

Of course, man, in his infinite folly, must always seek a means to prophesy his future.

THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT, 2011
02/03/2011 - 01/22/2012 (Metal)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animals’ signs. The Rabbit is a lucky sign. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

(Spring Liao, 10/15/2007)

2012 will bring its own adventure: 23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013: Year of the Dragon.


According to the Mayan calendar, we have exactly one year, eleven months and twenty days until the end of the world (oh my!) 12/21/12. The end. Fin. No more. The Winter Solstice spells certain doom.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to buy into the Mayan End of the World hype. Sure, it sounds invigorating – tectonic plates shifting, limousines packed with dysfunctional families hurtling through rapidly crumbling Los Angeles landmarks, satellites in a rapidly decaying orbit aligning themselves in a star-shaped pattern reminiscent of some ancient cabal ritual - stimulating but it just doesn’t have enough meat to attract my attention for long.

At least I won’t have to send out Christmas cards that year.

Man is infatuated with his own demise. Our collective mantra is, “The time is coming”, a phrase that transcends oceans and cultures. “Soon It will be upon us”...

Judgment Day

No, not that Judgment Day.

The Time of Reckoning, by God! (My but there are a lot of Capitalized Letters today.)

“Christ will come on Saturday May 21, 2011; ...this is Judgment Day, according to Scripture.” The End of the World is 21 October, according to several bizarre Christian web sites. You can read more here.

Please note: I am not saying that the Christians and Mayans are in need of intensive therapy. Some  of them, however, would benefit from copious injections of their favorite tranquilizer or perhaps some Jim Jones pseudo-grape Flavor Aid fresh from the jungle.

The End Times are not upon us. It is rather narcissistic for us to think that we are essential to the flow of Time itself; Time will continue even if our species winks out of existence. The cosmos doesn’t care. It is safer to say “The End of the Age of Man” and turn to whatever spiritual beliefs you follow (if you actually buy into the May 21/Dec 21 scenarios).

If you are a staunch Christian “End Times” believer, I urge you to read Mark 13 (the entire  passage, please. You know how I hate verse plucking) and then pay close attention to Mark 13v32.

The rest of us will enjoy a new year filled with promise, the hope of prosperity, and good will.






My scientific side: On Entropy, the Arrow of time, and ...