October 19, 2004

Doomsday, Anyone?

Posted by nerdling | October 19, 2004 02:00 PM

As an early concession to both the upcoming holiday and the upcoming election, I thought I'd post about something that tends to get people worked up, with the bonus that it is more than a little bit spooky.

Beginning on or around November 2, 2000, someone with the screenname Timetravel_0 began posting on a public forum that he was a time traveler from the year 2036. Later identifying himself as John Titor, this mysterious figure has prophesized the end of the world as we know it, beginning with a civil war that starts in the year 2005. Civil insurrection begins after the presidential election of 2004 and according to Titor, the year 2015 brings a brief—but important—WWIII, wiping out most major cities in the United States and resulting in a world that looks something like a set from The Postman.

That's the brief recap, but I'll just say that the vote is pretty split. There are those who absolutely believe in John Titor and those who think he is the cheapest form of charlatan. All I know is that he disappeared on March 24, 2001 after informing his readers that he would be returning to his own time, and he has not been heard from again.

Those who believe him have found proof in some veiled hints made in his posts, while his detractors believe he was purposefully vague to avoid discrediting himself. For his part, Titor claimed that he was vague because he could not disrupt the course of world events with his predictions. I'm not much on science, but a great deal of his posts (including pictures) deal with the mechanics of time travel, and he apparently made many predictions about discoveries in physics that have since come to pass.

Either way, I've included below a selection of his responses, starting with his list of things to know and do should a civil war break out. Those interested can find more information at johntitor.com.

1. Do not eat or use products from any animal that is fed and eats parts of its own dead.

2. Do not kiss or have intimate relations with anyone you do not know.

3. Learn basic sanitation and water purification.

4. Be comfortable around firearms. Learn to shoot and clean a gun.

5. Get a good first aid kit and learn to use it.

6. Find 5 people within 100 miles that you trust with your life and stay in contact with them.

7. Get a copy of the US Constitution and read it.

8. Eat less.

9. Get a bicycle and two sets of spare tires. Ride it 10 miles a week.

10. Consider what you would bring with you if you had to leave your home in 10 minutes and never return.
Does anything happen in the year 2012? I've heard stories about the world ending.

In my 2012, I was 14 years old spending most of my time living, running and hiding in the woods and rivers of central Florida. The civil war was in its 7th year and the world war was three years away. Yes, there are unusual events in 2012 but they do not cause the world to end. Unfortunately, I have decided not to discuss events that you or I can do anything about. It is important that they be a surprise. Perhaps you are familiar with the story of the Red Sea and the Egyptians?
Why can't you name the five presidents you have in your time?

Over the past few postings, I have tried to describe the limits of what I will talk about and why. Here is a short recap list. In future postings, I will place the following number next to each question as to why I will not discuss it.

1. I will not disclose any information that will cause someone to personally gain by its knowledge. This means no stock or sports tips.2. I will not disclose any detailed information that would allow someone to avoid death by probability. This means no earthquake or bombing information.

3. I will not disclose any information that may compromise any future actions by individual people or threaten their family and well-being.
The reason the job of President was split into an office of 5 has 4 main reasons. With 5 [presidents], foreign policy is more consistent, power shifting between parties has less of an impact on the overall government, individual strengths between presidents add to the strength of the overall office, and one president is elected for each major area in the United States.
Where is the new US capitol?

The new US capitol is in Omaha Nebraska.

The United States is still a representative republic in 2036 but it was touch and go for a while. After the war, the U.S. had divided into 5 general areas based on their economic and defensive strengths. Many people blamed the government organization for the war and the last Constitutional Congress was held in 2020 to officially scrap the Constitution and start over. Fortunately, this exercise in anger pointed out how hard it was to come up with anything better. It was decided the document wasn't at fault. As a result, there have been a few small changes to the Constitution and the executive branch but you would easily recognize it. The average citizen is more educated about the Constitution and aware of the rights and responsibilities it gives them. Federal power has been decentralized and the focus of daily politics is in the state senates. Federal law has also been streamlined but much harder to change or make additions to.
What event started the war? Can it be stopped?

The war is a result of faulty politics and desperation from Western leadership during the US civil war. Yes, I suppose you could stop it.
Does the current relationship between Arabs and Jews have anything to do with the coming war?

Real disruptions in world events begin with the destabilization of the West as a result of degrading US foreign policy and consistency.

This becomes apparent around 2004 as civil unrest develops near the next presidential election.

The Jewish population in Israel is not prepared for a true offensive war. They are prepared for the ultimate defense.

Wavering western support for Israel is what gives Israel's neighbors the confidence to attack.

The last resort for a defensive Israel and its offensive Arab neighbors is to use weapons of mass destruction.
How and why do the Arabs [and] Jews become entangled in the civil war of the U.S.A?

They are not directly involved but political situations are dependant on Western stability, which collapses in 2005.
The Arab countries appear to have weapons of mass destruction. Do they use them against America?

Not against America but they are used against each other.
Comments

That is rad, real or not. Thanks for posting about that, it's quite an interesting read.

Posted by: Jim at October 19, 2004 07:13 PM

Although I can't bring myself to fully believe all this stuff, the current situation of our nation and our world is such that I'm giving it some pretty serious thought. That, in and of itself, is kind of sad.

But it's also really kewl, and if this guy isn't an actual prophet from the future, he's still a pretty brilliant thinker. Somebody should write a book or make a movie about this possibility. Preferably, one that does not involve Kevin Costner.

Posted by: scotty at October 20, 2004 11:06 AM

What's wrong with Costner?

Posted by: Marleigh at October 20, 2004 11:08 AM

Um, have you seen The Postman?

Posted by: scotty at October 21, 2004 08:14 AM

Yes. I liked it. Not as much as my boyfriend did, but I did enjoy it.

Besides, Waterworld was way worse than The Postman.

Posted by: Marleigh at October 21, 2004 09:25 AM

"The Postman" was a great movie. Not only that, Kevin Costner made one of the best Westerns of all time ("Open Range") and the best baseball movie ("Field of Dreams").

"Kewl"...that's baby talk, right?
Dan

Posted by: dan at October 24, 2004 07:08 AM