Possibly this is a consequence of the all too human tendency to focus on impending catastrophes such as was imagined at the turn of the century which we all just went through. The Mayan calendars are due to come to an end soon and this would be reason enough to set some to worrying. I personally believe there is a much larger reason for this increased attention. The Mayan culture has had its allure for people from all over the globe. We are fascinated by the method and attitude, in which we believe they lived, in a special harmony with all of nature. In a way, somewhat removed from the physical world, living half in magic and treading very lightly on the earth.
Most people who have studied the Maya, hold this vision of the Classic Maya culture as a beacon shining from the past to light a path of hope for mankind. Many reach out to that ancient culture as an example that such a relationship can exist, with some hope of our future being at least as bright, as time they enjoyed here on Earth. We feel an attraction to the Maya that can't quite be explained in physical terms.