“concrete evidence is scarce”

I was deeply disappointed to read that not only might the world not actually end on December 21, 2012, but that the evidence doesn’t even show that it’s what the Mayans believed:

Trying to determine how 2012 — specifically, Dec. 21, 2012 — turned into a worldwide doomsday watch is a thankless pursuit, although the 2009 movie “2012” can claim a hefty share of the credit. Neither a great nor an awful disaster movie — anything starring John Cusak at least earns the price of admission — but that’s all it is. Put it in the same category as “Independence Day” or “The Day After Tomorrow,” and move on.

Though this latest version of apocalypse has been tied to the ancient Maya calendar, one of the few certainties of the doomsday phenomenon is that contemporary Maya aren’t cowering in anticipation of cataclysmic solar storms, magnetic pole reversal, earthquakes, monster tidal waves, colliding galaxies, alien invasion or the end of civilization. That alone should be reason for healthy skepticism.

The problem with disproving such Chicken-Little theories — which also happens to be the problem with proving them — is that concrete evidence is scarce. Like all myths, this one has some basis in fact. And, as with all myths, pseudo-scientists and New Age soothsayers have contorted the few actual facts to fit what they want to believe. Doomsday heralds, for the most part, have little or no grounding in Maya history, culture or archaeology. Even a quick look at scientifically supportable facts should be enough to deter anyone from remodeling that Cold War-era underground bunker.

Huh? You mean this latest end of the world was all a bunch of hype?

I am, like, so disappointed and stuff.

I guess there will be no way to avoid the last minute Christmas shopping rush next year — to say nothing of Inauguration Day.