For all your end of the world needs, and then some: click here (armageddononline.org)...
Why do you suppose that sites like this are so (relatively) popular? Who is their demographic?
7 comments:
Anonymous
said...
These sites appeal to the young adult group would be my guess. These sites are popular because of tv and the video games people play.Plus peoples imagination runs wild. this is an interesting site.
I agree with Lisa that it's young people who are drawn to this, though I would add that lately they seem to be drawn to zombie end-times scenarios. (One of my dance students has written three novels about the topic, one of which I've read). I think that the largest part of the allure comes from a desire to be drawn away from the mundane, day-to-day life and thrust into a scenario in which the survivors are the best of the best, whether morally, as in Christian end times literature, or physically as in the more recent zombie apocalypse phenomenon. Regardless of the type of apocalypse, the good guys and bad guys, the strong and weak, are clearly demarcated...zombies vs. humans, raptured people vs left-behinds, etc. It's very black and white which is tempting when we live in a world colored by infinite shades of gray. Additionally, I imagine there's a sense of exclusivity and elitism that comes with imagining that you may be one of the few to successfully navigate an apocalypse and engineer a new beginning. Which is why most of the people I know who are drawn to apocalypse material are also drawn to survivalist material. I imagine that for some there is this sense of helplessness that accompanies our modern world and becoming engrossed in the literature makes people feel more prepared and more in control if, as they say, everything literally goes to hell.
I too agree with what has previously been stated: sites like the one listed would seem to have most appeal to the young and those who enjoy pondering the end of days scenarios (who, in my experience, are often younger).
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themed media can be entertaining. It is interesting to ponder the possible ways that present civilization and society could break down completely, and what it would be like after.
As we discussed, on a broader scale having and end time allows people to take their mind off of their current situation. The repetition of everyday life can get a bit dull, and imagining situations like these can be thought provoking.
This site also is aimed towards a modern, western audience, who are at least somewhat familiar with the general concepts it discusses (e.g. conspiracy theories). There are certainly peoples throughout the world who have some form of apocalyptic beliefs that would be completely different than what is presented on this site.
As mentioned before this site seems to be for a younger crowd, from the teens into the twenties and those who believe in an apocalypse. the amount of info is rather surprising. While I would have never thought of sites like these existing, I am not surprised at all.
Excellent comments, folks. As you point out, Megan, it's intriguing how apocalyptic scripts can play to the human ego, placing the individual front and center amid the cosmic mechanics. Scary, sure... but also quite the rush!
This website seems accurate enough to be a source. The information seems really straight forward if someone was looking for a little background knowledge on the apocalypse. I feel the site is targeted towards people who are looking for information on whats in ancient texts so they can plan accordingly in order to survive.
7 comments:
These sites appeal to the young adult group would be my guess. These sites are popular because of tv and the video games people play.Plus peoples imagination runs wild. this is an interesting site.
Lisa
I thought this sight would be of interest to the people who enjoy dwelling on the end of days scenarios. interesting content.
Bob
I agree with Lisa that it's young people who are drawn to this, though I would add that lately they seem to be drawn to zombie end-times scenarios. (One of my dance students has written three novels about the topic, one of which I've read).
I think that the largest part of the allure comes from a desire to be drawn away from the mundane, day-to-day life and thrust into a scenario in which the survivors are the best of the best, whether morally, as in Christian end times literature, or physically as in the more recent zombie apocalypse phenomenon. Regardless of the type of apocalypse, the good guys and bad guys, the strong and weak, are clearly demarcated...zombies vs. humans, raptured people vs left-behinds, etc. It's very black and white which is tempting when we live in a world colored by infinite shades of gray.
Additionally, I imagine there's a sense of exclusivity and elitism that comes with imagining that you may be one of the few to successfully navigate an apocalypse and engineer a new beginning.
Which is why most of the people I know who are drawn to apocalypse material are also drawn to survivalist material. I imagine that for some there is this sense of helplessness that accompanies our modern world and becoming engrossed in the literature makes people feel more prepared and more in control if, as they say, everything literally goes to hell.
Megan Allen
I too agree with what has previously been stated: sites like the one listed would seem to have most appeal to the young and those who enjoy pondering the end of days scenarios (who, in my experience, are often younger).
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themed media can be entertaining. It is interesting to ponder the possible ways that present civilization and society could break down completely, and what it would be like after.
As we discussed, on a broader scale having and end time allows people to take their mind off of their current situation. The repetition of everyday life can get a bit dull, and imagining situations like these can be thought provoking.
This site also is aimed towards a modern, western audience, who are at least somewhat familiar with the general concepts it discusses (e.g. conspiracy theories). There are certainly peoples throughout the world who have some form of apocalyptic beliefs that would be completely different than what is presented on this site.
Max Hesser-Knoll
As mentioned before this site seems to be for a younger crowd, from the teens into the twenties and those who believe in an apocalypse. the amount of info is rather surprising. While I would have never thought of sites like these existing, I am not surprised at all.
Tazheem Rubio
Excellent comments, folks. As you point out, Megan, it's intriguing how apocalyptic scripts can play to the human ego, placing the individual front and center amid the cosmic mechanics. Scary, sure... but also quite the rush!
pdk
This website seems accurate enough to be a source. The information seems really straight forward if someone was looking for a little background knowledge on the apocalypse. I feel the site is targeted towards people who are looking for information on whats in ancient texts so they can plan accordingly in order to survive.
-Taylor E.
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