A brief take on the 2012 business, recorded for The Academic Minute, a podcast from WAMC radio distributed on a number of college and NPR stations here in the US.
http://wamc.org/post/dr-david-stuart-university-texas-austin-mayan-calendar
Of course the idea that no actual 2012 prophecy exists gets very little widespread distribution in the media. It hasn’t a chance against the shameless doom-and-gloom, junk-science narratives of The History Channel or, even worse now, The National Geographic Channel.
I never understood how Natgeo could invest some money in archaeological surveys and explorations and release such crappy “documentaries” on their channel… I’m deeply sad:
As you might know, my father George Stuart worked for many years at NGS, overseeing nearly all of their Maya and Mesoamerican interests. Once he retired they really went downhill. The TV department is especially sad, as you say. They used to produce fairly decent documentaries; nowadays it’s all terribly dumbed down and sensationalistic (Last night’s incomprehensible “Maya Underworld” being a fine example). No one seems willing to produce well-grounded and compelling science shows that I can show my students or that can inspire smart kids. Frustrating indeed.
Of History Channel can expect all this and more! … Just look at your program: Ancient Aliens … What I do wonder, and much, is that NatGeo is provided to these occurrences … Too bad they have fallen so low.
I wouldn’t be too concerned with the lack of Mass Media Coverage… after all, everyone LOVES the “Two Minute Countown” in the movies and this is no different. I hear the next one is being worked up to be 2023, though this has no relation to anything at all, which will make it even more “Iconic”!
Keep up the “serious work”, as I really enjoy the “Inside Track” to Decipherment from the Expert, Himself!