Messages about the end of the world excite mankind almost every year: either an approaching comet, or a change in the earth's orbit, or in general some obscure attack threatens the onset of the “end of times”.
It would seem that few take such threats seriously, but nevertheless, people are actively discussing this possibility among themselves, and some even begin to prepare for it - just in case.
Rarely is the belief in an imminent "end of the world" based on an actual understanding of the scientific facts cited by the predictors. Mostly because these facts are very doubtful, and even scientific hypotheses speak only of a possible tragic development of events. Why do people still lose their peace when they hear about the next "apocalypse"?
Feel strong emotions
The life of most people proceeds in a measured way: the usual work, routine affairs, conversations with relatives and friends on the same topics. On the one hand, it gives people a sense of the stability of their existence. But still, day after day, plunging into the usual whirlpool of affairs and events, a person begins to get a little bored.
It seems to him that nothing is happening, there is not enough emotional shake-up. Some people know how to arrange for themselves such a psychological relaxation on their own: these are extreme sports, and travel, and sometimes just "African passions" in their own kitchen. Others are waiting for some kind of event from the outside, which can excite, shake, make them fear and hope. And why is the impending "end of the world" bad for this?
Realize that life is finite
Even people who do not believe that the earthly existence of mankind is about to end soon, listening to talk about the imminent approach of a global catastrophe, involuntarily think about the finiteness of everything that surrounds them. Unwittingly, they think about how fragile our planet is, and how short their own life is. Messages about the end of the world serve as a kind of signal for a person: “Hurry up! There is not much time left for you! Think about what else you can do?"
And people are in a hurry to finish urgent matters, or, on the contrary, they allow themselves small or big pleasures, which everyone put off "for later." After all, there may not be "later"! The threat of the "end of the world" serves as a kind of "whip" for a person, which stimulates him, makes him do things for which he did not find the time, means, but simply did not dare! And the approach of a global catastrophe helps some to get rid of the feeling of guilt that they finally went to meet their desires.
Realize your community with other people
Thoughts about a global catastrophe make a person think how important it is for him to be in a society of his own kind. Thinking about the possible imminent death of the entire human civilization, he realizes himself as a part of this huge single organism, realizes that in the face of such a large-scale threat, he is no more valuable than any other person. This means that social, national, cultural differences are not so important. After all, the apocalypse will not spare anyone.
And, of course, such thoughts make people feel more keenly the importance of family and friendship ties in their lives. It is no coincidence that just before the expected "end" of the world, friends call up, relatives get together. Not that we seriously say goodbye to each other, but just in case, because it’s so natural to feel your own shoulder next to you when danger threatens! And it's nice.
