The 'apocalyptic' ending of the Mayan calendar in December is one notable example of doom predicted for 2012.

Art Lester, co-author of the Coffee Table Book of Doom, and Prof Chris French, who heads the anomalistic psychology research unit at Goldsmiths College, University of London, debate our fascination with the demise of humanity.

The thing to remember, says Art Lester, is that "doom is mood spelled backwards".

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