The past year was a tough one for New Zealand and the world, with horrific earthquakes, deadly tsunamis and reports of catastrophe from every corner of the globe.
Ancient Mayan prophecies have combined with modern paranoia about the end of the world to produce claims that the world will end in 2012, most probably on or about December 21.
The exact form this apocalypse might take varies, with some predicting galactic upheavals, a collision with Planet X, or Judgement Day itself, while new age philosopher Terrence McKenna's Timewave zero - a numerological formula that claims to calculate the ebb and flow of "novelty" - comes to an abrupt climax in December.
Others think that the change will be more benevolent, and is more a state of mind that an actual apocalypse, while there is also the unique theory that our computers are going to turn against us and melt our brains, as seen in this incredibly informative video:
Debate on this issue is now closed. Here is a selection of Your Views:
