BC?, AD?, Why Not Just BP?

[Frank Harrist]

and its cycle stops (and restarts) on Dec. 21, 2012.

That, to me means that they hadn't figured the calender any furthur forward than that. It doesn't mean the end of the world, just the end of the calender and so the figuring must begin again. I don't believe there are any records which state that Dec. 21, 2012 is the last day of life on earth. Not to mention the fact that no person has ever been proven to be able to predict the future. That whole preumption is preposterous!

I use CE/BCE usually or just whatever is being used by the others in the discussion. I also like KYA and MYA, but as mentioned that represents a moving target and would cause textbooks to be obsolete every year or every KY at least. (Say something about KY. I dare you!)

[Minimalist]

The Long Count calendar, which marks the passage of a ‘Sun’ cycle, about 5,150 years, began for this age in 3013 BCE. This calendar cycle simply counts the number of days in a ‘Solar’ age. When that number has elapsed the age comes to an end. The previous, 4th Sun, was said to have ended in a deluge, and this 5th Sun is predicted to culminate in earthquakes and impacts from cosmic objects in 2012.

http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/Article/ ... ansit.html



Since I regard all religion as crap I don't put too much stock in this, either...but, I may tie one on on the Dec. 20th, 2012 just in case. At least I won't have to worry about the ensuing hangover if they are right.

[Guest]

i find that BP is an invention of those who do not require accuracy as it would constantly be out of date and need continual adjustment.

B.C.E. & C.E.-- are basically just as inaccurate because 100 a.d. is not the current era. it is past and long gone. same with 1400 a.d.

so far B.C and A.D. provide the best accuracy, even though its 0 point is up for debate, as it provides a running total as the years pass and it is easier to mark and understand events when they transpired. along with making it easier to cross reference

k.y.a. & m.y.a. are just too broad and general to be of much use for the near past and only work when not trying to pinpoint historical events and their relation to other historical occurances.

if you do not like the connotation of B.C. & A.D. then don't use it. we already know that Christ was born about 4 B.C. thus the connotation simply doesn't work here; just use the letters.

sorry but i wanted to put my 2 cents in.

[Minimalist]

Hey.

Are you glowing in the dark, yet?


What is the mood over there?

[oldarchystudent]

i find that BP is an invention of those who do not require accuracy as it would constantly be out of date and need continual adjustment.

B.C.E. & C.E.-- are basically just as inaccurate because 100 a.d. is not the current era. it is past and long gone. same with 1400 a.d.

so far B.C and A.D. provide the best accuracy, even though its 0 point is up for debate, as it provides a running total as the years pass and it is easier to mark and understand events when they transpired. along with making it easier to cross reference

k.y.a. & m.y.a. are just too broad and general to be of much use for the near past and only work when not trying to pinpoint historical events and their relation to other historical occurances.

if you do not like the connotation of B.C. & A.D. then don't use it. we already know that Christ was born about 4 B.C. thus the connotation simply doesn't work here; just use the letters.

sorry but i wanted to put my 2 cents in.

Well hello Archy - the rumours of your banishment have been greatly exagerrated, I see ($1 to Mark Twain).

A couple of things:

BP is useful in the here and now, but if you write it in a book, it will become misleading sooner or later. Depending on how far back you are talking (500 years or 5 million) the margin of error will me more or less significant.

BCE and CE refer to the "Common Era" not the "Current" era, so no conflict there.

For kya and mya, when you are going back that far you often don't know the exact date, so an approximation of 275 kya, for example, may be the best you can do.

Yes there is uncertainty about the year Jesus was born and it was miscalculated, which may make the term "Common" era more helpful as a reference point.

[Guest]

i won't be long, i am still on hiatus but i will answe r a couple questions.

1. on topic:

"Common Era

my mistake but my reasoning stands as 100 a.d. is still not the common era of the 21st century. too long of a gap. for me i would prefer the B.C./A.D. mainly because it makes more sense and makes cross referencing easier.

2. minimalist's questions: A}.

Are you glowing in the dark, yet?

no. though there has been rumors of a second test, china may put a stop to that.

B}.

What is the mood over there?

the mood is business as usual but with one eye looking over the shoulder. there is less worry right now but the american 'leadership' is not helping matters. it seems like they want too have hostilities to erupt over here. china has gotten north korea to back down a bit but that is never a stable thing because the americans always say something to inflame the situation.

one theory i had was this was one of Kim Jong Il's ploys to shore up his crumbling regime but it is hard to tell. i have heard rumor that hunger is going to play a big part of this winter so that may change things as well.

this is a time will tell scenario as there are still too many variables in play and kim's irrational and unstable thinking needs to be factored in...

if you are watching diane sawyer's reports from north korea, do not be fooled by them. she is not doing a good job nor is she reporting totally factually on the cultural practices of either country. i try to catch them when i can and when i do i am not impressed by the scant attention paid to what she is highlighting. i could go into details but space is limited now.

till next time

[oldarchystudent]

On topic.

CE covers the entire period from year one to present, and will continue beyond. So 100 CE is the same as 100 AD - the only thing that changes is the words.

Off topic.

The whole world is watching your country and your neighbour very nervously. I wish you and the rest of us peace.

[marduk]

so far B.C and A.D. provide the best accuracy

how did I know you would say that
we are no longer living in Biblical times Arch
you may have noticed we no longer nail people to pieces of wood for talking crap

well we don't in my country anyway

[Minimalist]

there is less worry right now but the american 'leadership' is not helping matters

They rarely do.......sigh.

If you hear a lot of thunder and there is no rain, drive south in a hurry.
30 miles is not out of artillery range.

[oldarchystudent]

This is really funny until you think how close to the truth it might become.

Arch, stay safe......

[marduk]

+

=

[Guest]

thanks for the sentiment, it seems as if north korea has promised china that there would be no more tests but we will see.

is that bush trying to do a vulcan mind meld on himself?

[Minimalist]

is that bush trying to do a vulcan mind meld on himself?

He'll be very disappointed if he does.

[oldarchystudent]

is that bush trying to do a vulcan mind meld on himself?

He'll be very disappointed if he does.

"Why am I not getting anything?"