I’ve often wondered how doomsayers can monetize their theories of the end of the world. It’s one thing to scare someone, but it’s quite another to get them to willingly hand over a wad of cash. It’s the classic door-step salesman problem: How do you get a homeowner to sign a contract after spending 30 minutes boring him/her to death with the reasons why they really should trust them — sweating in a badly-fitting suit — although they’ve only just met?
As far as I can work out, it seems the best way to profit from this doomsday tripe is to write a book. Apparently, publishers have little concern about what’s printed on the pages. If the cover art looks scary enough, and the numbers 2, 0, 1 and 2 are in bold type, the publication will sell itself. If that doesn’t work, hobble together a YouTube video with depictions of the Earth in flames… and Planet X (because Nibiru is so planet-killin’ cool). Oh, and add narration of some idiot with a superiority complex.
If this amazing marketing ploy isn’t upsetting enough people, build a website. Besides, if you fill that site with enough text, you’re bound to hit all the doom keywords and have a flood of Google search traffic. Hell, if this is the case, you can supplement the future royalties of your best-selling novel with some juicy advertising revenue. Yeah, that will work.
Oh yes, and sell fridge magnets (really).
However, all these ploys (including the awfully flawed “How to Survive 2012” YouTube clips) aren’t a patch on what I’ve just seen: a “I Will Save Your Life In 2012 If You Buy My Book” website.
It’s one of those classic “I can show you how to earn $5000/hour” set-ups. One long page, filled with text that takes a whole evening to read. This particular site is called the “2012 Official Countdown” and the URL is http://www.2012officialcountdown.com (I won’t link to it). A screenshot of the top of the page can be seen to the right.
So how do I know this is a scam? You mean apart from the transparent desperation to tell you that the government is lying to the world? The insane statements that “well-meaning experts” have got it all wrong (those silly scientists)? Or is it the the complete overuse of bold type, red type, yellow highlights and claims that they are the only ones that know the “truth”?
Actually, I can look past all that crap, and skip to one key detail that suggests to me that the author has an even looser grasp on reality than all the other crackpots I’ve encountered (thank you Greg for pointing this peach out):
Mr. Sayer is a respected Internet scholar with a concentration on the topics of history, spirituality and exposing untruths.
So Mr Sayer is, in fact, a guy that spends all his time on the Internet? You mean he’s a graduate of Google University? Poor guy, he must be a little warped. Oh, no, actually he’s more than a little warped:
There is one thing that remains completely undisputed by anyone who is truly informed…
“Every Major Religion… Minor Religions You’ve Never Heard Of… Non-Religious Spiritualists… And Even Atheists And Agnostics Agree…”
In 2012… something will happen.
What?
Aaaah… that’s the issue in dispute. That’s the issue that is causing all the debate.
And that’s where you’re having the most trouble deciding what is fact… and what is pure Hollywood fiction.
Hi. My name is J. Michael Sayer. And… I have the answer.
Unfortunately, the superiority complex is strong in this one. Mr Sayer is a self-professed “Internet scholar” who “has the answer.” The answer to what? Well, something bad is going to happen in 2012! No, really? Really. What’s more, he presents his material like a true soothsayer on a mission. People are pleading for his help! He has the answer! He helps people by telling them the answer! (After clicking on the PayPal button.)
I’ll be honest, I felt a legion of braincells die as I read through the story that ensues. For some reason “James” decides to chronicle the events of Hurricane Katrina and how we can prepare for a similar catastrophe in 2012 if we read his book. But the book is just a re-hash of all the old theories that have come before (as I outlined in No Doomsday in 2012) — ancient civilizations/prophets predict doomsday in 2012 etc. Even though the Mayans never predicted doom when their Long Count calendar ran out, and Nostradamus never accurately predicted what he was going to have for dinner, let alone the events that would happen hundreds of years after his death. In short, it’s all total rubbish.
Plus, there’s Planet X. Only this time, the planet killer is hiding behind the Sun, waiting to strike! Isn’t the Planet X theory dead and buried already?
The one thing that really ticks me off however, are questions like, “How much is it worth to you to have the peace of mind you need for your family?” Apparently, the package James is offering is “worth” (it seems you can put a price on bullshit these days) $7,850. Why? That’s because he’s put 157 hours of “research” into this package (so it looks like he charges $50/hour for his Internet surfing expertise). But wait! He doesn’t want to sell it for $7,850.
We both agree a mere $1,000.00 to change everything about your life and the future lives of your family members. That’s a bargain.
But he’s not even selling it for $1,000! What a guy. A hero.
You won’t pay $99… $89… or even $79. This price cutting is getting crazy.
Oh James, you’re making me cry. You’re such a crazy, crazy guy!
After some more nonsense about throwing in an mp3, another book, and a little piece of his soul, James is flogging this whole kit for $49.95. Amazing, right?
What is amazing is that I actually read that entire page and I’m not dribbling. This is 100% pure-home-grown bullshit, a scam. And I can call it a scam because absolutely none of what he is promoting is provable, and every theory presented can be debunked with real science. Unfortunately, this is the most brazen attempt yet to screw people out of their money. Although I’m fairly sure most people will see the page and know it’s a con, some will see it as a lifeline, unfortunately.
Another very unfortunate thing is that I found this page via a Google Ad on Astroengine.com. It’s now blocked, but I suspect we’ll be seeing more and more of these websites pop up the closer we get to December 21st, 2012.
For more detail about the science behind the pseudo-science of the 2012 doomsday theories, read the whole No Doomsday in 2012 series…
astroengine.com 
I don't think this is a scam, I have plenty of 2012 books that I paid $30+ dollars for and seminars that cost hundreds of dollars for 4 hour presentations on this subject. I admit the page seems a little overboard but I do think 2012 is a real event and if I can get more information on this topic I will since every other scientist seems to ignore and discredit topics like this and make lame reports that we already know about.
Rest assured Tom, the entire 2012 nonsense IS a scam. Whether you brought your 2012 book from this silly “countdown” website or from Barnes & Noble Bookstore, it doesn't make the publication any more or less reputable. Also, during my research, I've actually read many, many off-the-shelf 2012 books. The science content is usually minimal (or wrong) and all of them assume the Mayans or some other ancient civilization had the ability to see into the future. Magic, in other words. Do you believe the Universe functions via magic and not physics?If you want more information on the topic, read what scientists really have to say on the subject — it's those guys you should be listening to, not Internet “scholars” like James here. Nothing is going to happen in 2012. Why? There is absolutely no evidence.
I agree, because one thing people are forgetting, TO live in this ECONOMY and WORLD. You need money. So he devotes much time to putting this together. I don't blame him for charging. Because If he gave it all out for free, than he would have no money and be homeless. So think a little more realistic people. Plus if you want to know if there's truth in his book. You can know for yourself by getting spiritually connected to you're higher self. Which I have done and I know that there is truth to his points. Especially because I've taken science and the spiritual aspect of things. Maybe not everything is 100% accurate but it's his own interpretation. Therefore if you explore yourself you can pick out what will and wont help you. But seems majority of this book is helpful. I've bought book like these before for other things that actually had very useful information. Like the astral projection books. These people aren't all scams. Open yourself up. But don't live in the knowledge given, just know it and keep digging. Never stop having one thing be the answer to all. Keep looking. And This book is just a stepping stone to you're exploration.
its bullshit dude if they relly whanted to help people they would be selling it for free or at lest a small price if it is true (wich its not) 1.why would he whant money for it if it will worth nothing in about 2 years or so 2. he must be a evil man to make people pay alot to get his so called help. and 3. on these Book writers web sites they tell you little to nothing about how to survive just what will happen. its always to learn how to survive buy my book for like 60$. and this is not just for this guy they all say the same stuff. so all this survive 2012 or 2012 will happen book stuff….. is a scam
I agree Tom, I don’t know what but something is cooking. The possible tilting of earth’s rotation(the sun coming up days too early in Norway, Greenland and Alaska…), the reversing of the earth poles, the extraordinary activity of the sun, the galactic alignment of 2012 http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Galactic_Alignment, which only happens every 25.800 years and which coincides with the end of the very exact Mayan calendar, the announced fall of the dollar and the chaos that will follow… MANY THINGS WORTH INVESTIGATING…
NICE INSULTS ALEX, YOU ARE THE TYPICAL IDIOT THAT GETS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS. I’D RATHER SPEND MY TIME RESEARCHING THIS THEN WATCH TV.
I signed up in February 2011, so he is still robbing people. I did get in and downloaded the info.
Here you go. The 3 PDF’s this con-man is selling. Do me a favour and team up with me. DISTRIBUTE THESE FILES FOR FREE AND PUT A SIMILAR MESSAGE AS MINE IN FORUMS.
Official2012countdown is a FRAUD, J Michael Sayer is a THIEF (And so is clickbank, that still take the payments). There is no money back guarantee, as promised, even though I gave very good reasons for it. GET HIS FILES FOR FREE, FROM ME. Yes, I’m a curious idiot that paid the 49 dollars in February 2011, I read it all, he IS FULL OF IT. Even though he has a lot of interesting info, readily available(free) on the internet(copy & paste), his proof and conclusions are very poor to say the very least. I COPIED HIS PDF FILES AND DISTRIBUTE THEM FREELY. NO CHARGE, NO 49 DOLLARS, NOTHING. I will e-mail them to you at request. viciozoo@hotmail.com
there are 3 pdf files; 2012FreeReport.pdf, 2012 Official Guide.pdf AND the equally useless 2012 Survival Guide.pdf HAVE THEM FOR FREE AT viciozoo@hotmail.com
Regards,
vicioI spend
Tom, if you believe this garbage (and it seems you do by stating you actually purchased books on the subject) then you're as dumb as the creator of this website. And I mean DUMB.
NICE INSULTS ALEX, really shows your “level”. YOU ARE THE TYPICAL IDIOT THAT GETS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS. I’D RATHER SPEND MY TIME RESEARCHING THIS THEN WATCH TV, probably what your DUMB ASS is doing. Get a life
I have decided to cash in and write a 2012 book 2. If every lowlife can LIE and have people spend there hard earned dollars on these LIES why should i not sell these LIES to dumb gullible people like TOM for lots of CASH$$$$$$$$$$$$$ bahahahaDO YOURSELF A FAVOUR TOM LOOK AT THIS SITEhttp://www.2012hoax.net/REMEMBER THE PEOPLE PUSHING 2012 ARE MAKING MONEY FROM IT!
I couldn't agree more. “2012” is just a remake of “When Worlds Collide”
I couldn't agree more. “2012” is just a remake of “When Worlds Collide”
But you forgot the most important part! They “guarantee” refund within 60 days if you are not happy…any email address that you have been sent email from, if you attempt to reply will bounce as “undeliverable”. AND although they say they are “spam free” HAHAHA…you will be innundated from MORE crap that their friends are trying to sell. Try and get a refund from these asses. There is NOTHING new. Nothing I did not know and read 10 years ago. As for refund? HA. No response. No refund. Such total and complete BS. DO NOT waste cash on these scammers.
This is a scam, if the world was going to end in 2012 then why would he want all that money? If it was real this info should be free
I never got what I ordered.. Just lost my money..It went through click bank and I could not get it back… ronaldhsmith@earthlink.net
I lost my money. Never got what I ordered. ronaldhsmith@earthlink.net I went through clickbank http://www.2012officialcountdown.com/?a=affid1
I think the best way to get to people's minds about the issue is to talk about the facts first, then about the frauds. With the way you are writing, you are still going to have doubters.
Browser extension countdown until the 2012 “doomsday”: http://www.igorware.com/extensions/2012-countdown
Official2012countdown is a FRAUD, J Michael Sayer is a THIEF. There is no money back guarantee, as promised, even though I gave very good reasons for it. GET HIS FILES FOR FREE, FROM ME. Yes, I’m a curious idiot that paid the 49 dollars, I read it, he IS FULL OF IT. Even though he has a lot of interesting info, readily available(free) on the internet, his proof and conclusions are very poor to say the least. I COPIED HIS PDF FILES AND DISTRIBUTE THEM FREELY. NO CHARGE, NO 49 DOLLARS, NOTHING. I will e-mail them to you at request. vicio67@hotmail.com
there are 3 pdf files; 2012FreeReport.pdf, 2012 Official Guide.pdf AND the equally useless 2012 Survival Guide.pdf HAVE THEM FOR FREE AT vicio67@hotmail.com
CONTACT AT DIFFERENT E-MAIL —> viciozoo@hotmail.com
hi victor
yes please let me see this bullshit hes selling i could do with a luagh
garydrinkwater1@ntlworld.com
2012-official-countdown by J. Michael Sayer is AN ABSOLUTE SCAM. AND NO MONEY BACK AS PROMISED. And the money back guarantee is a lie, I gave him clear reasons, although not required, why I wanted my money back and never got an answer. He doesn’t solve anything, email me at njblok67@gmail.com and I will give you his PDF files for free.
I have read the 2012 Official Countdown Guide and I’m asking for the FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, I learned nothing new of interest. More over, I can give you a lesson or two, especially about the NWO, and their plan for a one world dictatorship, etc. Also it was very disappointing to see, as soon as I paid and got in, that there was another level of payment to the TOP SECRET section… you seem very keen on making money.
BESIDES THAT A FEW NOTES:
We all watched transfixed in horror as a great tsunami wiped out thousand of people without a second’s warning. Somehow the mainstream media left out the
important fact that the afflicted area of Thailand was the region that housed its child-sex slave traffic trade.
OUTRAGES, WHAT ABOUT WHERE MOST PEOPLE DIED, NO CHILD PROSTITUTION THERE, INDONESIA, SHRILANKA, ETC.
The next event was the annihilation of the Big Easy. Hurricane Katrina was no surprise, but the city of New Orleans paid it no heed.
Yes, this too was a great catastrophe of natural causes raging omnipotent upon thousands of humans. The media neglected to include
the fact that in 5 days following Katrina hitting land, the city of New Orleans was scheduled to welcome with open arms more than
100,000 gays and lesbians for its appropriately named “Southern Decadence” festival.
DISGRACEFULL, YOU…. I AM NOT INTO INSULTS… PEACE.
BUT YOU ARE DEAD WRONG ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS AND FALL VERY SHORT OF GIVING CONCLUSIVE ANSWERS.
AND I DON’T BELIEVE IN THE CREATOR AS A GOD IN ANY FORM OR SHAPE.
There is much more that must come to pass before the Creator returns to deal with Satan, and the mess
he has made of your creator’s beloved planet and people. We have yet to see the antichrist, though
many people predict he is a present day world leader.
He(god) is more powerful and knowledgeable than anything we can imagine. It only takes some investigation
of all that he created on Earth and in our solar system to understand how actually omniscient the Creator is.
You must truly believe in God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit to be granted the freedom
to dwell on Earth amidst all of her unspoiled beauty and wonders in the new age. This can only come
about after this age of man ends. Only those whose strength of belief will be there for the danger of
the evil seed cannot have a glimmer of possibility of tearing it all asunder again.
This Section Contains Top Secret Information Only Available to Premium Members That Seek The Truth.
This was what i supposedly purchased, but I didn’t get access to the truth revealed – the secret reports
2012: The Truth Revealed Guidebook $49.95
Prepare To Live: The 2012 Survival Guide $39.95
The Truth Revealed Portable MP3 Module $29.95
Truth Revealed… Secret Report $19.95
Plus… Updates For Life!
The 2012 Membership Zone $120.00
Total Value Of This Must-Have Package… $259.80.
But you’re getting it all… right this minute… for just $49.95.
NONE of the relevant questions are answered and most of what you promise in your sales promotion is given. Even though it is obvious that you did SOME work gathering the information most of us with interest on the subject already know, getting it from the internet as freely available anywhere, accept with you. I have to say though that you, in my opinion, are barking up the wrong tree and definitely don’t give any solutions or groundbreaking information. I’m very disappointed and would even call it a scam.
I’LL CONTINUE MY QUEST ELSEWHERE AND IF AT ALL POSSIBLE WILL FIND THE ANSWERS AND SURVIVE WHAT WILL COME.
STILL AS YET, I HOPE YOU WILL SURVIVE ALSO.
REGARDS, PEACE AND GOOD LUCK IN OUR QUEST FOR SURVIVAL.
2012-official-countdown by J. Michael Sayer is AN ABSOLUTE SCAM. AND NO MONEY BACK AS PROMISED. The money back guarantee is a lie, I gave him clear reasons, although not required, why I wanted my money back and never got an answer. He doesn’t solve anything, email me at viciozoo@hotmail.com and I will give you his 3 PDF files for free.
I wrote this to Mr. J. Michael Sayer and have not received an answer OR needles to say my money back as “guaranteed”
I have read the 2012 Official Countdown Guide and I’m asking for the FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, I learned nothing new of interest. More over, I can give you a lesson or two, especially about the NWO, and their plan for a one world dictatorship, etc. Also it was very disappointing to see, as soon as I paid and got in, that there was another level of payment to the TOP SECRET section… you seem very keen on making money.
BESIDES THAT A FEW NOTES:
We all watched transfixed in horror as a great tsunami wiped out thousand of people without a second’s warning. Somehow the mainstream media left out the
important fact that the afflicted area of Thailand was the region that housed its child-sex slave traffic trade.
OUTRAGES, WHAT ABOUT WHERE MOST PEOPLE DIED, NO CHILD PROSTITUTION THERE, INDONESIA, SHRILANKA, ETC.
The next event was the annihilation of the Big Easy. Hurricane Katrina was no surprise, but the city of New Orleans paid it no heed.
Yes, this too was a great catastrophe of natural causes raging omnipotent upon thousands of humans. The media neglected to include
the fact that in 5 days following Katrina hitting land, the city of New Orleans was scheduled to welcome with open arms more than
100,000 gays and lesbians for its appropriately named “Southern Decadence” festival.
DISGRACEFULL, YOU…. I AM NOT INTO INSULTS… PEACE.
BUT YOU ARE DEAD WRONG ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS AND FALL VERY SHORT OF GIVING CONCLUSIVE ANSWERS.
AND I DON’T BELIEVE IN THE CREATOR AS A GOD IN ANY FORM OR SHAPE.
There is much more that must come to pass before the Creator returns to deal with Satan, and the mess
he has made of your creator’s beloved planet and people. We have yet to see the antichrist, though
many people predict he is a present day world leader.
He(god) is more powerful and knowledgeable than anything we can imagine. It only takes some investigation
of all that he created on Earth and in our solar system to understand how actually omniscient the Creator is.
You must truly believe in God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit to be granted the freedom
to dwell on Earth amidst all of her unspoiled beauty and wonders in the new age. This can only come
about after this age of man ends. Only those whose strength of belief will be there for the danger of
the evil seed cannot have a glimmer of possibility of tearing it all asunder again.
This Section Contains Top Secret Information Only Available to Premium Members That Seek The Truth.
This was what i supposedly purchased, but I didn’t get access to the truth revealed – the secret reports
2012: The Truth Revealed Guidebook $49.95
Prepare To Live: The 2012 Survival Guide $39.95
The Truth Revealed Portable MP3 Module $29.95
Truth Revealed… Secret Report $19.95
Plus… Updates For Life!
The 2012 Membership Zone $120.00
Total Value Of This Must-Have Package… $259.80.
But you’re getting it all… right this minute… for just $49.95.
NONE of the relevant questions are answered and most of what you promise in your sales promotion is given. Even though it is obvious that you did SOME work gathering the information most of us with interest on the subject already know, getting it from the internet as freely available anywhere, accept with you. I have to say though that you, in my opinion, are barking up the wrong tree and definitely don’t give any solutions or groundbreaking information. I’m very disappointed and would even call it a scam.
I’LL CONTINUE MY QUEST ELSEWHERE AND IF AT ALL POSSIBLE WILL FIND THE ANSWERS AND SURVIVE WHAT WILL COME.
STILL AS YET, I HOPE YOU WILL SURVIVE ALSO.
REGARDS, PEACE AND GOOD LUCK IN OUR QUEST FOR SURVIVAL.
NEVER GOT AN ANSWER OR MY MONEY BACK, EVEN THOUGH I INSISTED.
These days sayer is claiming it took him 11,557 hours which are worth $78,850. That would be 4 solid years of 8-hour days – at a charge-out rate of less than $7! That’s called commitment.
I will since every other scientist seems to ignore and discredit topics like this and make lame reports that we already know about.
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Great post! I love your blog! Here is a link to a website I found that has lots of information on it
http://www.ufomystery2012.com it talks about ufo’s, crop circles, planet x, the new world order, and has a ton of information on 2012 too.
I think that by doing your own research and studying hard,that you can achieve anything in life.
Shiraz Makdoembaks.
http://freedailyhoroscopes.weebly.com
I am also writing to let you understand of the fantastic discovery my cousin’s girl gained going through the blog. She figured out numerous things, which included what it’s like to have an awesome helping nature to have many people smoothly grasp specific tricky subject matter. You really did more than our own expected results. Many thanks for churning out such essential, healthy, educational not to mention easy guidance on that topic to Gloria.