Some people see the 2012 doomsday prophecies as a sign the world will end on Dec. 21 next year.
Others see the apocalyptic predictions as nonsensical hogwash fueled by superstition and misconceptions about the Mayan calendar.
But Jack Dowd, an entrepreneur in Fairfield, Iowa, sees the fears of Armageddon as an opportunity to make some cash.
Dowd, 27, a former writer's assistant on the sci-fi series The Dead Zone, is capitalizing on doomsday hype by offering escape packages to people who would like to leave Earth should the apocalypse strike four days before the 2012 Christmas shopping season ends.
Iowa entrepreneur Jack Dowd is capitalizing on 2012 Armageddon fears by offering travel packages for $44.99 that include passage to another Earth-like planet, an intergalactic passport, a guidebook to the other planets and one luxury suite sleep pod aboard a space ark, complete with flat-screen TV, starlight window and mini bar.There are two packages available at his website. The first-class package for $24.49 includes a one-way ticket aboard the USS Ark 2012 Escape Ship to an Earth-like planet, one single sleep pod and an intergalactic Passport ID Card that Dowd promises will allow passengers to seamlessly make it through any wormhole checkpoint or space customs.
However, folks who purchase the $44.99 Superluminal package get upgraded to the luxury suite sleep pod that comes with a flat-screen TV, starlight window and mini bar. They also get a 2012 edition guidebook and VIP access to exclusive areas of the USS Ark 2012, including the Officers Lounge, 360-degree Stargazing Deck and Zero Gravity Room.
It's hard to tell what's more amazing, the package itself or the fact that a few people have actually purchased it, mostly as a gag gift.
Dowd himself admits he started the site as a joke and is still surprised he's getting orders.
I didn't expect anyone to actually purchase one, he told AOL News. I initially saw this more as entertainment than a product to sell. I figure I've sold somewhere between 50 and 100 tickets.
Dowd came up with the idea around the time the movie 2012 was released in theaters.
Rest of article: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/05/doomsday-is-coming-escape-earth-on-dec-21-2012-for-as-little/
Others see the apocalyptic predictions as nonsensical hogwash fueled by superstition and misconceptions about the Mayan calendar.
But Jack Dowd, an entrepreneur in Fairfield, Iowa, sees the fears of Armageddon as an opportunity to make some cash.
Dowd, 27, a former writer's assistant on the sci-fi series The Dead Zone, is capitalizing on doomsday hype by offering escape packages to people who would like to leave Earth should the apocalypse strike four days before the 2012 Christmas shopping season ends.
Iowa entrepreneur Jack Dowd is capitalizing on 2012 Armageddon fears by offering travel packages for $44.99 that include passage to another Earth-like planet, an intergalactic passport, a guidebook to the other planets and one luxury suite sleep pod aboard a space ark, complete with flat-screen TV, starlight window and mini bar.There are two packages available at his website. The first-class package for $24.49 includes a one-way ticket aboard the USS Ark 2012 Escape Ship to an Earth-like planet, one single sleep pod and an intergalactic Passport ID Card that Dowd promises will allow passengers to seamlessly make it through any wormhole checkpoint or space customs.
However, folks who purchase the $44.99 Superluminal package get upgraded to the luxury suite sleep pod that comes with a flat-screen TV, starlight window and mini bar. They also get a 2012 edition guidebook and VIP access to exclusive areas of the USS Ark 2012, including the Officers Lounge, 360-degree Stargazing Deck and Zero Gravity Room.
It's hard to tell what's more amazing, the package itself or the fact that a few people have actually purchased it, mostly as a gag gift.
Dowd himself admits he started the site as a joke and is still surprised he's getting orders.
I didn't expect anyone to actually purchase one, he told AOL News. I initially saw this more as entertainment than a product to sell. I figure I've sold somewhere between 50 and 100 tickets.
Dowd came up with the idea around the time the movie 2012 was released in theaters.
Rest of article: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/05/doomsday-is-coming-escape-earth-on-dec-21-2012-for-as-little/
