My wife and I are in disagreement. I think the average polly is single and under 30, and the average doomer is married, over 30, with children or grandchildren. Just curious, not trying to prove any points except with each other. Please participate if you will. Thanks

Bill--married, 44, two kids-- believe a 7-8.

-- Bill (tinfoil@sombrero.com), August 22, 1999

Answers

single, no kids, 24yrs. 7-10... 7-11 doomer, tinfoil, GI, or whatever the current term is

-- dgi (dgi@fake.bbb), August 22, 1999.

Mike -- married,54, one adult child 4 grandchildren doommer at6.5-8.5

-- Michael R. Husted (mhusted@msn.com), August 22, 1999.

Anon = H = 50 W = 48/ 2 brats 23 and 25, everyone is at least a 7-8.

-- Anon (Anon@anonnnn.com), August 23, 1999.

b Male, single, no children, 28, 4 (but prepping for higher)

-- b (b@b.b), August 23, 1999.

Hubby and I are both 44 and are blessed with no kids. Reluctant doomers, we're hoping that this all just goes away...but we're preparing for a 6.5 - 8.5.

-- Mabel Dodge (cynical@me.net), August 23, 1999.

I am a 45 year old doomer with 2 beautiful teen daughters and a cute hubby. Really appreciate this site, lurk faithfully every single day. Love you all for taking the time to write. When I get over my shyness and have something to say, I'll chime in! : ) I'm about an 8 and really prepping.

-- Debi (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), August 23, 1999.

Divorced, female, 2 married kids, 5 grandkids, 7-8

-- just me (lurkinghere@ho.me), August 23, 1999.

NO! don't ask, King Of Spain...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), August 23, 1999.

41, divorced, no kids, superdoomer (tm) +11, only because I believe there will be war involving China... definitely CHINA...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), August 23, 1999.

Andy, what about the stock market? You gotta give some input!

-- Anon (Anon@anonnn.com), August 23, 1999.

6-7 evolving over twenty years into a 10 (complete societal turnover/change.)

typhonblue: female, 21 (possibly the youngest on the board?), no kids, five ferrets, one ca

-- Typhonblue (typhonblue@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

44, married to 40+, (actually she's a ten, but I'm probably prejudiced), 2 kids at home (14, 17), one off on his own.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), August 23, 1999.

Married, 33 -- 7.5/8.5 Wife, 24 -- 6.0 Son, 2 -- Polly

-- Y2KGardener (gardens@bigisland.net), August 23, 1999.

Other than trying to prove you're right to your wife, does it really matter?

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), August 23, 1999.

Doomer scale 4-8; Single; 40, look 30; act 20-50; English/Italian/ Yankee living in the southeast; Seeking sweetheart to hide out with!

-- dw (y2k@outhere.com), August 23, 1999.

single male, 29 years old. Have been a doomer since day one. In fact I have been predisposed to think doomish since I can remember. I attribute it to my study of history. I think pollyitis stems from the common belief that what was yeaterday and is today shall be tomorrow.

-- Joe O (ozarkjoe@yahoo.com), August 23, 1999.

Husband and I are both 46. Two married children. Believe 5+ is possible, depression almost a certainty.

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), August 23, 1999.

What are the definitions of Polly and Doomer? How about this:

Polly         : 0-4
'Fence-sitter': 4-
6
Doomer        : 6-10
Mega-Doomer   : 10+?

Opinions?

-- Y2KGardener (gardens@bigisland.net), August 23, 1999.

Please post the un-official results, Bill. I would be interested in knowing if you are correct (unofficially of course!), since I think the same way.

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), August 23, 1999.

Too early to tell just yet, but here are some stats. No Polly's yet (come on you can play too--don't be shy), one fence sitter making preps though.

Single 5 responses 3 <30 2 >30 avg 7.0

Married 9 responses all >30 1 with no kids avg 7.5

-- Bill (tinfoil@sombrero.com), August 23, 1999.

Single, female, 53 - 1 grown kid, 2 grandkids, 1 1/2 great grandkids. 7-8+ doomer, I see a depression coming. I try to keep a sense of perspective while analyzing all the 'stuff', not easy sometimes ;-)

-- Sammie Davis (sammie0nospam@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

It seems that the Pollys are shying away from giving a straight answer, as usual...

-- Where are (all@the.pollys?), August 23, 1999.

Married for 22 yrs, H - 55, W - 52...two kids 17 (girl) 12 (boy), and until that Navy dustup, about a 4...now, moving, RELUCTANTLY, toward a 6.

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It,s ALL going away in January.com), August 23, 1999.

OK, I'll be a Polly for this exercise, but I do think that perhaps you also need to consider Rural vs City, and location (re climate) in this exercise.

I'm married, mid 40s, 3 kids living with my ex wife. Only a 2 or 3 here in rural New Zealand, but I would expect a 4 to 7 in a large american city.

Malcolm.

-- Malcolm Taylor (taylorm@es.co.nz), August 23, 1999.

age 58. Expect an 8 - am preparing for a 10+. Married, 5 kids, 3 grandchildren

-- Bill (BookWormNM@uswest.net), August 23, 1999.

Male, single (but in a serious relationship), no children (but old parents), 47, still a 6.5 (but looking hard at a 7, instead of a 6).

Tick... Tock... <:00=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), August 23, 1999.

Single, 46, no kids, maybe a 2 no more than that!

-- Freelancer (mercenary2000@yahoo.com), August 23, 1999.

45, 1 kid, 1 grandchild, gobs of friends. 1 to 10+

Hope for the best,

-- CT (ct@no.yr), August 23, 1999.

Malcom is right, one must take location and climate into account. So, full disclosure, here goes: Location...Valley of the Sun, Power...projected to be ON, backstopped by what is now the largest nuke in the World, the FULLY COMPLIANT Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Water and Sewer *sigh* singled out by Sen. Dodd as Fantasyland (expected completion, Christmas, one week for testing), Security, while not talking about personal preps, this area was the ONLY major metro not to have even a single disturbance in the Rodney King fiasco. Income...2/3 secure, only 1/3 at risk under most extreme circumstances. Swimming pool for H2O to fight fires. That's it.

-- K.Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), August 23, 1999.

Age 45, spouse 47, 1 kid age 10, believe 3-4 on scale, prepping for 1 month for safety

-- lurking (lurking@lurker.com), August 23, 1999.

W 44, H 51, the Kid 13: Also, need to look at geographics: we're on an island, water and heat and solar power are accounted for. Supportive community, lots of aloha, guess we, in our space, are looking at a possible 3-4

-- grngrl (jhandt@gte.net), August 23, 1999.

Mike - 36, wife 34, married 13 years. One son, 3.

Believe a 5-8 is likely and geographic locale and strength of community will dictate real outcome. It will take time to spiral downward if that does indeed occur.

Mike

=================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), August 23, 1999.

Single seasoned citizen.......my multiple pets are my cildren. A doomer preparing for a 10.....like Andy, concerned not only with Y2K but possible war. Know that our govt. is concerned about possibility of foreign sabotage.

-- Jo Ann (MaJo@Michiana.com), August 23, 1999.

H=38, W=40. Three children= 18/GI girl, 17/la-la land boy, 9/boy and little "miracle". Depression followed by any number of different catalysts leading to a 10. We are far safer in the country, with fewer bases to cover then those in cities. We have little doubt that the world's population is about to be trimmed and slimmed.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), August 23, 1999.

44 yr young male single with DGI girlfriend no children, doomer to the max 7-9 it don't get any better than this. Depression coming like we haven't seen in a long time. Andy, how do the chinese get here in the first place??

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

Dave,

Listen to John whitley on the www.sightings.com archives, he was on the other day, remember they study Sun Tzu, they will fight a war on their terms, deception, bio/chem, suitcase nukes, they have a port on long beach and have been smuggling drugs at will, why not other ordnance, listen to the show, make your own mind up... sounds far- fetched?, remember they almost have control of the Panama Canal, they are in cahoots with the Mexican .gov (bought off like the CIC) - the Mexican border is open...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), August 23, 1999.

43, married no children. Both my spousal unit and myself are 0-1. My take on the preparation scale would be:

0-3 Polly

3-6 GI

6-10 Doomer

10+ Tinfoil

-- Y2K Pro (y2kpro1@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

Mid 50's, single, two grown sons and alot of grand kids.Live in a small midwest town, in a rural area.After reading about the last depression, I am concerned about 1,000's of people fleeing the cities and coming to rural areas like mine. Local water source done manually. Scale 7.5-9

-- maggie (aaa@aaa.com), August 23, 1999.

Male, 64 wife about 3,000 days younger, both GI, 5 children, 8 Grandchildren, youngest Grand a 2 1/2 yr. girl not spoiled in the least (lol) 6+ ...even further south than Taz... Yes it's hotter down here... "still is waiting...still is waiting"

may the other side surprise us pleasantly...

-- Charon (thatplace@downbelow.com), August 23, 1999.

62,wife 59, 3 married children, 5 grandchildren, rural area near Commanche Peak Nuclear Station, expect 7 hope for 1.

-- Neil G.Lewis (pnglewis1@yahoo.com), August 23, 1999.

P=wife=45 J=husband=64 Children: 5-1/2 fantastic son and 11 month adorable daughter. Preparing for 7/8, but really hoping we are wrong.

PJ Tucson

-- PJ (Just.here@Tucson.AZ.com), August 23, 1999.

Husb 42, me 49. No children at home. Me - 8-10, Husb 6-8. At the very least, a major depression, stock market go boom, shortages, etc... Living in a very rural area which we just *bugged out* to, setting up our homestead and wishing we'd done it MUCH sooner.

-- Moonstruck (ogre@inthewoods.com), August 23, 1999.

Married, central N. Carolina urban dweller, would be grandmother but only child, bachelor son, says has learned from his mother's mistakes (!). Degree of pessimism varies, depending on bits and pieces of puzzle falling in and out of place, generally hovering around 6-7.

Was stockpiling some supplies before Y2K knowledge, have increased since to about three months, wouldn't mind more. Couple of episodes of ill-health and disability have driven home the luxurious convenience of having a wide variety of edibles to choose from, not to mention plenty of cat litter and cat food. As has been mentioned by many others elsewhere, will never go back to personal JIT grocery/prescription shopping.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 23, 1999.

wife and i are both 43, i'm a GI. wife's a skeptic over y2k, but it was at her urging years ago we got land in the country with ponds and wells and BIG garden space because she's always been aware of the fragility of the grocery process.

like some others, i think it could tip over easily into 9-10 if china steps in. they're in it for the long haul. they don't care if the us glows for a while if it puts us out of the game while they expand.

-- Cowardly Lion (cl0001@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

51--married 30years--sold everything for a big bag of cash---full time Y2K researcher--no kids--Jan to march 5-7--april to june 8+--- july to Dec. 9 to 7 conservatively close to US Naval War College est.

-- Les (yoyo@tolate.com), August 23, 1999.

Wilferd = 44; "Mr." Wilferd = 40. Both of us are about 7 - 8 with the possibility of higher numbers if there's a war. One GI daughter (23), married to a GI fella (29), with 4 children. Daughter and S-I-L are 7 - 8.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), August 23, 1999.

Tinfoil Bill

39, married, 2 kids (15 & 11). Wife and I are at 0 to 1 but leaning more toward 0.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), August 23, 1999.

39, married, no kids, 10 year depression

-- a (a@a.a), August 23, 1999.

42 in Sept...unmarried, no kids, thinking 6-7.

-- William in Dallas (bcheek@onramp.net), August 23, 1999.

I'm 35, my partner's 39, our kids are 5 and 8. I'm a historian, he's a programmer. He's a doomer, I'm a reluctant total tinfoil. Glad you're all out there thinking.

-- PH (spin@on.ca), August 23, 1999.

59, single, small town in Southwest Utah; 8.5-10; the Navy stuff only confirmed what I had already previously determined would probably be the case; Milne/Infomagic scenarios seem LESS bizarre as we get closer to the rollover; not liking what I see; not able to do much about it; a cleansing is in order - we'll probably get it!; war, financial depresson,thinning - all probable; INVAR rants about government, truth, freedom, liberty, etc. - but he's right; read again what he has said most recently ...in the end, principles count; and too few alive today have any

-- Perry Arnett (pjarnett@pdqnet.net), August 23, 1999.

Age 47, married with two kids ages 18 & 20; doomer who sees a depression as probably the best realistic case, a Milne scenario as equally possible, and an Infomagic scenario as plausible. I agree with a premise of this thread: if I did not have a family, I would probably be more cavalier about Y2K.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), August 23, 1999.

age 28, engaged to be married in May of 00. It is my belief that most of us will be quite alive and well in that time.

I expect 5.5-7.5 during 2000, sliding towards an inevitable 7-8 by the end of the year. This, of course, assumes that we won't be involved in a major war or that there will not be WMD/terrorist attacks on the infrastructure.

-- coprolith (coprolith@rocketship.com), August 23, 1999.

Me 33; Mrs Canuck 37; 1 rug rat (2 yrs); thinking a 1-4 on the scale

-- Johnny Canuck (j_canuck@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

I'm 50, my husband is 69. We're both doomers, but I had to convince him. We're preparing only for moderate disruptions and are resigned to dying right along with our loved ones if it gets really bad. Out of six children between us, only one (my 23-year-old son) Gets It. He has moved to a rural area and will help manage a farm in a Y2K aware part of the country. Maybe our other (older, more established) kids refuse to believe because they all have too much to lose?

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), August 23, 1999.

Both in 60s, rural dwellers in SW Oregon. DWGI wife. Retired Federal contingency planner; now total cynic about govt. No kids, thank God; lots of animals. +/- 7.0

-- Norm Harrold (nharrold@tymewyse.com), August 23, 1999.

41, wife 32. Both GI's, scale 5-8, leaning toward 8 now, and hoping to be wrong. 2 kids 13 and 16. Ready to live "off the grid" for up to 3 months.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), August 23, 1999.

44, married, no kids. My beliefs are that all predictions are generally better for moving the hot air around, than giving us any real glimpse into the future. Expectations are for anything from a 2 to 10+.

The number not going lower than a two is based upon seeing the inner workings of both gov't and private industry. I'm one of those people who are downright compulsive about joining committees. It has enabled me to see that while sometimes some real work gets done, people are usually just looking for a way to play hooky from work, and then go into panic mode, when they realize they have to have something to show they haven't been just wasting time. This leads to a lot of very leaky bandaid fixes, that frequently cause more problems than they fix. Then you get an announcement that says, "We have the problem well in hand. blah blah blah, etc etc etc!".

I agree with the other poster who said that where you live is an important factor. I live in quiet suburb of a quiet city. The only thing I can remember happening during the Rodney King thing was someone setting a dumpster on fire, in one of the housing projects. Very minor, easily dispersed rioting, in the sixties. It probably stands to reason, therefore, that social unrest is much lower down, on my list of things to worry about.

It's probably a little late to add this to the thread, but I'm also curious about political leanings, and how that might affect someone's polly/doomer view. Labels can be so misleading, but if I had to pick a spot, I'd say left-of-center, for myself.

-- Bokonon (bok0non@my-Deja.com), August 23, 1999.

married, female age 54(sweetie is 51). SW Oklahoma 2 kids, one married w/a most perfect granddaughter,other in college. We hope for a 2-4....realistically expect a 7-8.

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), August 23, 1999.

37 y/o, Married, 4 kids. Have no idea what will happen. preping for 6-8. Didn't think GPS would be much, don't think 9/9/99 will be much. Infact, dont think 1/1/2000 will be much. things will start slow and develop into something. will not get bad until February or so.

-- DOC (Hoping_for@the.best), August 23, 1999.

Married in two weeks, I'm 39, and believe it will be about a 7 (depression), and my fiancee'(35) is around a 5. We have 1 child, 6, and he has no thoughts on the matter.

Southside Ed

-- Southside Ed (still@home.fornow), August 23, 1999.

Me - 53,GI; H-54,GI; 2 children 30s,GI; 3 grandchildren 3-16, Pollies; 1/2 great-grandchild (due date: March, 2000!) So we are hoping for a 1; prepping for the worst -- as best we can; and expecting at least minor outages and a major recession rolling into a world-wide depression (which I think is the same as a 10?)

But just as Y2KGardener pointed out with his " Son, 2 -- Polly ", we have reserved enough optimism to believe we will find a way to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives in whatever comes our way. No one in our extended households is spinning out with anxiety...just quietly prepping, occasionally having a bad day and then moving on with what is possible.

-- Shelia (Shelia@active-stream.com), August 23, 1999.

Myself 36, husband 32, 15 yr old son, 6 yr old daughter. We're prepping for a 5, with "contingency plans" for anything above that. We're all GI, including the 6 yr old. My friend, 36, w/9 yr old son is also prepping with us. She's single and looking, in New Jersey. We also have 2 small dogs and a cat who have their own little preps. The dogs and the cat are DGI, by the way.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), August 23, 1999.

We are both 29, living together 5+ years (not married), home-based business techie types. No kids, 2 (scary) dogs, We are GI's ranging from 6 to 9s (depends on the day).

-- For Survey purposes only (wanna@see.results), August 23, 1999.

OK, the old foggy is married and 62 years years young, his beautiful wife is 56 and a true believer. Five kids (ranging from a -1 to a +6), and five beautiful grand kids who aren't concerned about y2k at the moment.

I still feel strongly that we are headed into a depression worse than the 30s, with or without y2k. y2k will only make it worse!! The Piper is right around the corner and looking to be paid.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 23, 1999.

MWM, 50, large, bald and with a fondness for rubber noses. Three kids, college age. Is seeking other like minded individuals for discrete internet fun in the afternoons. Into water storage, food preps, alternate power and non-hybrid gardening in anticipation of either a 2 or a 10 (no middle-grounders need apply)

-- Lon Frank (lgal@exp.net), August 23, 1999.

hmmm....interesting info

Me, 48, divorced, 10 year old son, well prepared, expected moderate to low disruption early in 2K with growing realization of problems into June and recession/unemployment growing gradually through the year. Wouldn't say I'm a doomer as I'm optimistic we'll respond well. Keeping my powder dry. Don't expect central gummint to respond well at all.

DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), August 23, 1999.

W41/H43; Married 21 years; 7 kids, the teenagers get it (19 and 16) and that helps, boys 7 and 10 are the poultry men, 5,3, and 1 provide diversion and comic relief. Registered Republocrat reluctantly. Living northern Idaho (both grew up in MN, so somewhat familiar territory). Hubby is EE/P.E. and driving force for relocating. I agree with Y2KPro's scale, and Doc as far as not hinging everything on a date. To us, Y2K was just a wake-up call. We factored in probable Depression, corrupt government, probable attack from foreign country, and terrorist attacks, and decided forget JIT and depending on the grid for sheer survival. Hoping so hard it will be just 3-5, (have dreams and plans too) but have read history and we're trying to prepare as much as we can for however long we can. Where we previously lived in southern CA was also not affected by Rodney King, but it came too doggone close for comfort! Also was there during Northridge Quake. Assessing what did happen in both prior scenarios, and how much worse it would have been if there were widespread problems geographically, and no guaranteed help coming in. People turn on a dime and behave in atrocious ways. Like this thread because it humanizes our cyber anonymity, and hopefully will also promote better discourse among us.

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), August 23, 1999.

Me, 36. Wife, 39. Both 2-3 on the polly/doom scale, leaning more towards 2. 2 daughters, ages 2 and 4.

-- Paul Neuhardt (neuhardt@ultranet.com), August 23, 1999.

Me- 42, Co-habitating partner-48. Both about a 7 or so- one kid- 15- he GI's. Both of us (partner and I) wonder what's up with Comet/meteor stuff- that could make y2k look like a BITR! But if no comet/meteor impact issue- expect serious depression/supply impacts/etc- from y2k itself.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), August 23, 1999.

I so enjoyed reading this, I thought it was only fair to contribute, if anyone is still reading it.

H=51 (0-1), W=49 (2 if utils and banks are o.k., but 9+ if there are major failures in the electric grid). Son 13 and daughter 11 are both GI, but son still wants only a more powerful computer for Christmas, LOL!

We live in semi-rural East on well & septic, but are only a short drive from a large city, and a short hike from an interstate. The weak link in my preps is water ... so I guess that's why I try to reassure myself that the grid will hold enough to run our well pump once every day or two... praying, praying.

-- Kristi (KsaintA@aol.com), August 23, 1999.

32, single mom of 8 y/o, lakerat when not jacking with systems, want this to be the hell over with, already. Expecting a 4-5, but we could handle a 7-8 for a while... beyond that, we move into a cave and start snaring rabbits.

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), August 23, 1999.

After Navy report and cover-up a .5 move upward to 9.5. How many people are prepared for a 3-4 even??

LOL. A clueless population will see the results of blind belief in the military/industrial complex. Many will remember forever if they live.

WE HAVE DENIAL RAMPANT ON THIS VERY FORUM FOR THE LOVE-OF-GOD!!!

The situation is surreal.

Single, 38 -- Girlfriend is a big GI and a psychologist

She says that most people believe that nothing bad will ever happen to them. I'll bet the people of Turkey thought the same...

-- PJC (paulchri@msn.com), August 23, 1999.

M. Both of us 47. Two grown married daughters. Two grandchildren. All live on a farm together. Everyone here is GI-thinking about 6-7 hoping it will all blow over.

Glance back to the posts from last year and compare with all the posts today. PEOPLE ARE BECOMING AWARE. There are so many new names and many many more posts then there were last year at this time.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), August 23, 1999.

A 44, L 39, married long time, no kids, suburbia in Cascadia, prepped for a 3, waver at 8.5, will be thrilled if it's a 1; dead if it's 7 or more. Ready for the 9+ subduction zone earthquake headed our way.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), August 23, 1999.

I already posted above but would like to add that I moved from New York to rural part of VA 4 years ago because I always felt something would happen around year 2000. I have a well and septic on 5 acreas. (45 yrs old, married, 2 teens, doomer 8. Believe stock market will crash, depression or whatever, grid goes down etc. I love this forum.

-- Debi (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), August 23, 1999.

I already posted above but would like to add that I moved from New York to rural part of VA 4 years ago because I always felt something would happen around year 2000. I have a well and septic on 5 acreas. (45 yrs old, married, 2 teens, doomer 8. Believe stock market will crash, depression or whatever, grid goes down etc. My husband is a doomer as well. I love this forum.

-- Debi (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), August 23, 1999.

h=44,w=44 2 kids 7/13 thinking about a 5-7, live in the country, well septic, preps will hold untill the DWGI relatives show up, dont know how long depending on how many get here. lvin in the country.

-- mexdoc (rollover@dec.com), August 23, 1999.

Me(32) Divorced, 3 children, Tn., Preparing best of my ability. 5-6.

-- Traci (lostinoz32@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999.

Unofficial Survey Results

Don't know what it all means, but here it is so far.

Total usable responses 64 Single 17 Married (all married over age 30) 47

Pollies ( 0-3.5) 7 responses All over age 30 1 single, 6 married w/kids

Middle Ground (4 6.5) 19 responses 3 single <30, 4 single >30, 1 married no kids, 11 married w/kids

Doomer (6.5 +) 38 responses 2 single <30, 7 single >30, 7 married no kids 22 married with kids

Useless Stats Majority who responded were over age 30, married w/kids Most pollies who responded have children and are over age 30 (all but 1) Single people: 1 polly, 7 middles, 9 doomers. Just over 50% doomers in singles group.

Some easily argued observations: Most people who responded are married w/kids. Makes sense, parental nature is look after and protect children.

I guess that most people looking at this board are concerned, over 30 and married w/children (for what that's worth.)

I also concluded that I couldn't make any valid points to win my argument, and do not ever want to have to make a living doing surveys.

-- Bill (tinfoil@sombrero.com), August 23, 1999.

LOL, you did a good job,Bill, and it was really interesting reading the information.

Just to add my location info- live in rural area in Georgia, depend on rural electric company for elec. Have well (bored and not too deep), so water is not a major concern (except lugging it so darn far!!). Thank goodness for wheelbarrows!

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), August 23, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California

I'll answer before reading what everyone else wrote. Married, age 44, one son age 8. My best guess is a 7. I have a probability distribution that looks something like this:

1:15%, 2:15%, 3:5%, 4:5%, 5:5%, 6:5%, 7: 30%, 8: 10%, 9: 5%, 10:5%

I guess that makes me about a 7. I'm preparing for a 10. I wonder how this compares to what I said in the last survey. Did anyone link it to here?

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage.neener.autospammers--regrets.greenspun), August 24, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California

I think the modal age was 44, same as mine, with a good chunk of us as mid 40's. We all came into the age of reason at the height of the cold war, if that means anything. I was telling my mom recently that it really screws with your head to be ushered into the hall at school every few months and told to kiss your ass goodbye.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage.neener.autospammers--regrets.greenspun), August 24, 1999.

I too live in a rural area. Moved out of city nine months ago. Have well, septic, large holding tank and solar on well. In the desert southwest, 50 miles from major city, in a community of 3,000. Moved here because of Y2K, but love it and wish I had done it years ago. Did not even know the neighbors in the city, but now have made more friends in the past 9 months and good people who care about each other. Have 2 1/2 acres, 2 dogs, 2 cats, chickens and don't think I could ever be happy in a tract home again. Only get 2 tv stations and don't miss it one bit. Do miss my cable modem though!!

good luck everyone (especially the pollies, although I hope you don't need it). Will pray for you all.

-- Bill (tinfoil@sombrero.com), August 24, 1999.

Better late than never ? 45, H-41, 2 kids, 16yo/fence-sitter,9yo-GI I am prepared physically for a 4 but mentally for a 8 or 9. Mate is DWGI. Northen ohio rural area with good neighbors & many Amish families near to learn off the grid survival from if it becomes necessary.

-- kitten (kitten@vcn.net), August 24, 1999.

and bringing up the rear....

W age 38, H age 50, daughter 11.

Me, (w) very doomer, 9.5 at least. Husby not so pessimistic, more like a 5. Daughter somewhere around 7 (or whatever level means schools are closed :) !

Funny about us, most of the time Husby is the pessimistic, be- prepared for disaster type of person. I'm the optimist in the family. Usually. Not this time.

We moved from 3,000 village house to 40 acre farm last winter. Would've wanted to without Y2K, but the motivation pushed us into action, otherwise it would've been "too expensive" or "bad timing". If nothing else, Y2K got us here!

-- Arewyn (isitthatlate@lready.com), August 24, 1999.

Age 63; divorced, 2 adult children; one is GI but unable to prep (husband laid off), other unable to cope with Y2K info, due to health problem, so I worry for both families; 5 grandchildren (triplets to my GI daughter.) Wishing for a 3.0 but expecting an 8-10 and racing to prep for same. Too many other factors in addition to the date rollover and embedded chips, i.e. terrorists, hackers, third world nations unprepared (supply chain), depression on horizon, China and Russia.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), August 24, 1999.

Me--38, 7-9, while hoping for BITR. Husband--37, also 7-9. A 7 year old daughter and a surprise/miracle due around Thanksgiving.

Live in a small (1100 people) North Central Washington tourist town. Nearest big town (40,000 people) is 30 miles away.

We usually get 12 feet of snow a year, so if our passes and highways aren't getting plowed, no one from Seattle or Spokane will be able to get here. We will be VERY isolated, at least until March/April. A good thing if you are prepped; not so good if you're not.

We have 2 very large gardens and are currently giving away fresh produce to 5 of our neighbors. Feels like a dress rehearsal for next year.

I would like to say "Thank you" to everyone (well, almost everyone) on this forum. I come here daily because your insights and humor help keep me sane in an otherwise insane world. I know I'm not alone.

-- glinda (glinda@overtherain.bow), August 24, 1999.

congratulations Gilda ; )

Mike

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-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), August 24, 1999.

Hey, Mike! I think you mean Glinda! :-) Yes, congratulations Glinda!

OK, after reading this survey, I have one observation to make. In 9 out of 10 married couples, the wife is older than the husband. hee hee! Yes, I know it's silly, but laughing beats crying!

I'm 42, husband is 43. We have a 20 year old son, and a 16 year old daughter. If I was just looking at Y2K in the U.S., I would say a 2- 3. (If only it was that simple!) I think it will take a few months of the "snowball" effect, but I believe we will see at least a 7. Praying there will be no terrorism or war!

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), August 24, 1999.

Reminescent of the "What about you?" threads, isn't it Gayla? ;-)

I'll pitch in, just to try to give balance to this "wife older than husband" trend ;-)

I'm 38, husband is 47 and a "don't want to talk about it" type, goes along with preps though so I'm not complaining. 3 kids, all DWGI but wouldn't trade them for any GI's still. Some days I think it's going to be a 10+, on those days I know it's time to take a break from researching and put my energy into preps. When I come back to it I'm invariably down to a 5...and then it creeps up again...and the cycle continues.

-- Chris (%$^&^@pond.com), August 24, 1999.

I wasn't going to answer here (having answered the question on the what about you threads), but thought I'd better give Gayla and Chris a hand:

40yr old with 44 yr old hubby, 2 girls now 10 and 14. I think likely 5-7 locally, hubby figures 2-5, but doesn't want to do nothing and risk being wrong.

Back to my preps now...

-- Tricia the Canuck (tricia_canuck@hotmail.com), August 25, 1999.