Astrophysicists are watching closely the unusual paucity of sunspots within the past three years. In 2007, there were 163 days without sunspots, 266 in 2008 and so far, 2009 seems to be heading in the same direction.
Such periods of low sunspot activity are called solar minimums and their presence seems to correlate with cooler global temperatures. Reports indicate that the Earth's temperatures cooled by .7 degree Celsius in 2007; a host of anecdotal evidence regarding the cooler temperatures of 2008 also exists.
In fact, the current solar minimum ( known as solar cycle 23) has triggered speculation that solar activity, rather than man, is the real culprit behind global warming and that the cool summer of 2009 heralds a period of global cooling.
Others, like Michael Salla Ph.D., presents an alternative explanation, attributing the solar minimum to the power of thought and positive changes in global consciousness.
Solar Rain and 2012
In his article," Zero Sunspots: Global Consciousness, Solar Activity and 2012," published in the September 2008 issue of The American Chronicle, Salla takes issue with Mitch Battros' popular book Solar Rain in which Battros states that the Mayans understood solar cycles and predicted a period of intense solar activity and geophysical catastrophes that will materialize around 2012. Indeed, sunspot activity during this period will be so intense that it's predicted that it will negatively impact human physiology and behavior.
Not so, claims Salla who argues that while there is evidence that sunspot activity influences human processes and thought, the reverse feedback loop is equally tenable – human thought can be powerful enough to change the activity of the sun.
He attributes this possibility to Teilhard de Chardin's concept of "noosphere," a network of awareness and information that evolves with man's cerebral cortex , becoming eventually a form of global and intergalactic consciousness.
The Internet, Global Communication and Cyber-Communities
According to Salla, the internet is a major symbol of noosphere and the evolving capacity in man to influence the macro dynamics of his world. This is most evident in the current shift towards global communication and its creation of cyber-communities all over the internet.
Social networks and discussion groups have dissolved local and national identities, creating an amorphous community of "like" minds. The power emanating from this convergence of will is tremendous, making possible not only the sharing of information but the execution of communal action to solve global problems.
Nowhere in the history of man has the communication infrastructure been as wide, immediate and powerful as the internet. It is this power of "like" minds in unison that has modulated the course of solar activity. In Salla's own words, "humanity continues to take large steps forward promoting planetary harmony through global cooperation and unity made possible by instantaneous global communications;" the impact of this cooperation "will be evident in solar activity."
What Will Happen in 2012?
Since sunspots change human consciousness, allowing man greater ability to influence the macro variables of his world, Salla argues that earth changes resulting from an active sunspot cycle will likely not emerge. What is more likely, he claims, as global awareness produces greater planetary harmony and cooperation, "is that sunspot cycle 24 [following the current solar minimum] will be unremarkable."
Neither massive earth changes nor a "mini" ice age will materialize. He suggests that the current solar minimum should not be cause for concern, but should be "something to be celebrated."
Whether Salla's predictions will come true or not is immaterial; they are intriguing in their assumption of an evolving human consciousness and the manifestation of cosmic coherence between man and the universe.
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