No, not in terms of the complete destruction of the Earth and some kind of annihilation scenario. 2012 is not bringing the end of the planet. When we contemplate the expression "end of the world" let us realize the term "world" can refer to a cycle; a period of time; a world age era. Therefore 2012 is signalling the completion of one World Age Cycle, transitting into an emerging New World Age to come. It is said that the world we are ending is the one that is dominated by materialism and ego consciousness, therefore it may be that the world to follow will be founded on different values that honor the spirit of the interdependence of all of life.
There are ideas in the collective mind that assert that 2012 is bringing the "end of the world as we know it," which may be linked with its other association of heralding "the end of linear time," and no one can say how valid these claims may be. However, based on the complex situation we are in as a planet, no one can predict the longevity of our modern world with all of its technological dependencies and unsustainable customs. Likewise, the more conscious we become of the non-linear, synchronistic nature of existence, the more rapidly we may indeed evolve beyond the linear time paradigm.
In regards to the ever-increasing attention on the December 21, 2012 date, the living Maya of Guatemala urgently want it to be known that their ancient prophecies have been distorted and misportrayed as doomsday predictions. They do not advocate all the fear and hysteria that is being generated by the sensationalized 2012 rumors, and they want people to be aware that most of the 2012 (mis)information being put out is not sourced from the Maya or their calendars whatsoever, even though it may appear to be associated with them.
In regards to the popular fascination with the possible "end of the world" cataclysm scenario in 2012, it is important to understand that these modern fantasies projected from our collective psyche are reflecting our internal process of fearing how out of harmony with nature we are collectively living. There is a sense of an impending retaliation from nature that will come, as a great punishment upon our misguided human world. While it is clear we are living in times of great uncertainty and great imbalance, we need to realize that terrorizing ourselves by energizing fear-based rumors does not assist us in rising to the great challenges we face. Fear is a primal universal human reality, based on understanding how vulnerable we actually are, yet we need to understand that if we believe in all the fear thoughts, we can easily become shut down, delusional or reactionary in ways that feed the fear and lead us further into darkness.
In this time of prophecy, we need to move from motivating ourselves not from fear, but from awareness. To navigate these critical times on earth, in addition to our discernment and our intuition, we must find our hearts and follow their inspiration, for they are our purest guides and can help us tune into our unique path of service. When we contemplate what the world might be like beyond 2012, let us be clear that no one can predict the specifics of how things may appear as we enter this new cycle, or whether the transformations still to come may emerge gradually or swiftly. Everything depends on how conscious we can become as a species, and how we all contribute to this process of awakening our human potential. The details of how this new era may actually manifest is up to the merits of our collective creativity and the possible breakthroughs which can unfold through our resourcefulness and ingenuity.