Limpan, this is a cultural phenomenon, and we here and now are not the first time this has occurred.

"Millenialism" is the word for when popular culture becomes obsessed with uncontrollable disaster, or even the end of the world.

The word was first used to describe people in late antiquity who forecast that the world would end in the year 1000CE, thus the word "millenialism".

Later, during and after the time of the Black Plague(s), popular art and culture became obsessed with death -- quite understandably so.

The late 1800s also experienced such a fad for 'memento mori', (reminder of death) art and culture.

Ours today is probably a combination of several factors:

We have instant technological access to information, pictures, and even live feed video of catastrophic events. Thus, an earthquake in Japan or a school shooting in the US is 'right in our face' sitting at home.

We know that our world is an artificial and fragile place. A few days without electricity and most of our world as we know it would be gone.

We are attracted to the idea of ancient prophesy.

In short: It's a phase, a pop culture phenomenon.

Next year, unicorns, angels, and cute puppies may be all the fad.