CNBC just ran a five-minute segment on Y2K preparedness that was about what one would expect from mainstream television. Interviewed briefly were Ted Derryberry, who has a preparedness site on the web, and Paloma O'Reilly (even more briefly). While the tenor of the segment was, overall, middle-of-the-road, and while some comments were delivered with a smirk by the talking head, it was honest enough to note that awareness is growing through the increase in sales of "survivalist" equipment and food supplies. Compared to a similar reportorial effort six months ago, this was probably a GI segment.

-- Vic Parker (musclecar@compliant.com), January 12, 1999

Answers

I just saw the same segment. Naturally it was talking up all the new business y2k is creating, but that was CNBC Business Center so it was to be expected. At least he didn't have that "the wackos are on the loose" attitude. Not bad I thought. I had a mental picture of Ted Derryberry as being somewhat older.

-- gilda jessie (jess@listbot.com), January 12, 1999.

So did I, Gilda. Matter of fact, I figured Ted was the bearded guy they showed at the top of the segment. My point, I guess, was that a segment like this six months ago would not have aired. It would have highlighted the "kooks" and "wackos" of the movement. That tells me that the entire Y2K movement, if you will, is becoming more mainstream and more apparent with each passing day. Good news, or bad?

-- Vic (musclecar@compliant.com), January 12, 1999.