However erroneous 2012 is as an "end of the world" prediction, will it be the most anticipated such date ever?

Hard to say. There have been other dates of apocalyptic predictions that were very widely anticipated. The Y2K scare was one good example, but there have been others further in the past; for example, apparently there was actually a considerable amount of talk around the year 1000 that Jesus would return.

>unless it is thoroughly debunked in very public ways in the next year or so.

It has already been thoroughly debunked. It's just that on self-respecting media outlet wants to report on something that's NOT going to happen, and there are millions of gullible, ignorant people who would go on believing it anyway because it's just so damn FUN to believe in nonsense (why do you think kids believe in fairies and Santa Claus?).

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Just like "88 reasons why the rapture will be in 1988" and Y2K 2000, yes, 2012 will be in the news, all the more as the date draws closer.

I wish people understood though, that there is no doomsday... at least not prophesied in the Bible. The Bible "end times" were not last days of planet earth, but last days of the old covenant world which did happen to Jesus' generation. (70AD). The old covenant was God's temporary contract with His people, and the new covenant is a better contract, which came from the blood of Jesus, who truly took away sin and returned us to God's presence. The new covenant has no end. It is everlasting. Jesus' return is linked to ending the old covenant, and ushering in the new.

Maybe after 2012 produces no 2nd Coming, people might start looking into the prophesies and give the imminent time statements a closer look... what was soon to happen 2000 years ago, cannot still be soon today.

Dec.21, 2012 is simply the end of the long count mayan calendar, and when a new cycle begins.

Why would you believe it will end in 2012? That will just be the beginning of the end, which will happen in 2014. At least that is what God told me over 40 years ago. 33, 60, 1833, 1974, 1984 (the late great planet earth novelist), 2000 and countless others were the most anticipated dates of the end times, so that is why we, the undeceived are living today and looking forward to a better future when nonsense becomes unacceptable belief.

I maybe shouldn't have said that last long sentence, because it could hurt sales of my book and future books. But then again it might get skeptics interested.

'Date setting' is part of the human psychology and has been with since the beginning. Nothing however beats the beginning of the first century when Messianic Jews were waiting and Jesus came along changed the entire Western World. The end of the world was adopted by the early Christians as the Fall of Rome was beginning.

2012 doesn't even have scientific support, not like the Y2K in 2000. Since when has the Mayan calendar had much to do with anything but the Mayans. Now it's a predictor. PT Barnum was right 'there is a sucker born every minute.'

Y2K didn't deserve the hype because it was computer and religion based. December 2012 is cosmic and marks the beginning and end of a cycle.

A consciousness shift is already in the works. The date is less important, its a time frame. More of an Apocalypse (revelation and awakening) then Armageddon (final battle). Its already happening.

The doom and gloomers will be there to witness that date come and go, while embarrassing themselves again.

When people know God they know God has no secrets from anyone.. If you are not now aware of this fact it would serve you to reread the Conversations with God books. If you haven't read these books as yet, you will remain confused on this issue and probably most other issues. Forget all the end of the world nonsense, but I believe something of significance will occur in 2012. If you fear this date or anything, for that matter you do not know God. No one needs to reach death to know God. It is your choice. God bless

Most anticipated in history? I doubt it. Have you forgotten Y2K so soon?

That said, it's been thoroughly debunked in very public ways ever since it showed up. It hasn't helped considerably.

Yes, I believe it will steadily grow even among the skeptic because of the significance of the date, that some cosmic event suppose to happen, and such. Also, I'll have a chance of pointing at the believers and say "HAHA, I told you so!"

Delicious anti-climax.

No one I know really knows much about it...yet. I'm sure the Movie will have some running for the hills, which should be fun to watch.

But no, I doubt it wil be the most anticipated and most will shrug it off.