http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/2012-end-world-theories-nasa-scientist-eases-public/story?id=17848248#.ULocXYaFD2Q

"The most specific questions are about this rogue planet Nibiru," he said. "I think, if it were four years ago, you could say, 'maybe.' If it were real at this point, it would be the brightest thing in the sky." 

This next portion shows the danger of irresponsible reporting on end-of-the-world theories:

"But over the past few years, some of the questions he's receiving are increasingly alarming, and include a number of children who, faced with a perceived threat of impending doom, say they are planning their own deaths.

"I get 1-2 a month from a person who self-identifies as 11-12 years old, who is contemplating suicide," he said. "It happens often enough to disturb me … to hear that children are considering ending their lives."

"Morrison said that one letter was from a middle school teacher in Stockton, Calif., who said that the parents of a student said they were planning to kill their kids and themselves. Another was from an elderly person, who said that her best friend was a little dog. The writer asked when the dog should be put to sleep, so it doesn't suffer when the world ends.

"Though he finds these messages alarming, Morrison said that he only has limited information on the people writing in. He said he does whatever he can to soothe their fears, but at the end of the day, people's beliefs and fears are out of his hands.

"I can tell them there is absolutely nothing to be worried about. But I am in no position to provide psychiatric advice," he said."

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Earthchangers College to add comments!

Join Earthchangers College

Blog Topics by Tags

Monthly Archives