Candid Camera on Y2K

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

From Gary North.... Oh my Goddess...Glad I don't live down there! They are toast! Probably no better here...maybe I'll go to one of the grocery stores this weekend and ask people going in and out (and give a county prep brochure) - hey, let's all do that!

[For educational purposes....] http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=105&STORY=/www/story/12-13-1999/0001095132

Americans Remain Quite Y2-Confused as New Year Approaches According to Candid Camera Survey for December 17 CBS Broadcast

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 40 percent of those questioned about year-end computer problems did not even know the meaning of the term "Y2K," according to a segment prepared for the December 17 broadcast of "Candid Camera" on the CBS Television Network. "Is that something to do with a tax form?" replied a man in Los Angeles when asked to define "Y2K." Said another: "Y is like standard computer lingo for a question mark." "Candid Camera" host Peter Funt observed: "Usually, the things we learn with hidden cameras and microphones restore our faith in the public's collective wisdom. In this case, well, I think many people are Y2-confused." The public comments were gathered in several communities in Central and Southern California for the December 17 broadcast, to be seen at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Forty-three percent of those interviewed were generally unaware of what the acronym "Y2K" means. "The 'K' stands for crash," stated one woman emphatically. Said another: "The 'Y' means the year 2000, but I'm not too sure about the 'K'." "My friend told me that the world's going to end," was the matter-of-fact comment by a San Francisco woman. "I have no clue." The December 17 "Candid Camera" program also includes an outrageous Y2K preparedness test in which Funt has unsuspecting clerical workers help test office computers. The computers check out fine, but every other appliance in the room explodes -- from the fax machine to the clock radio!

SOURCE Candid Camera

Web Site: http://www.candidcamera.com

Company News On Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/124139.html or fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 124139

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-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), December 13, 1999

Answers

Sherri: Whether you are a doomer or a polly, this is a sad commentary on American awareness of current issues. Thanks for the post(I think!).

-- Neil G.Lewis (pnglewis1@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.

Sherri,

This place had been more that enough for my Y2k concerns. As much as I have appreciated Gary North's excellent "in-depth searchs" for information, this forum appears to have more "information seekers" than he ever could have access to. "Needless to say, Thanks Gary"

The fact that 40% of people don't have a clue what the saying means, I guess it's obvious how much they are preparing". Kinda scary isn't it? Shows how good how good an advertising campaign can be, I'm sure you could ask "Whos's the president?" and get similar lack of knowledge, Y2K is a much more important question, wish we were getting a more informed answer. Damn, I going to bed, the lack of awareness really, really bothers me. Good Night All, may things turn out much better than I anticipate. ARGH, wish they had been honest.

Michael

-- Michael (michaelteever@buffalo.com), December 13, 1999.


On the better side, In the USA, 60% have a clue...which is somewhat better than Indonesia's 20%...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 13, 1999.

"Dumb-Ass" is truly epidemic.

The experimental vaccine for it will be available after January 1.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.


Sheri; Too bad the show is already to be shown, I would try and make it alittle more convincing concerning Y2K, with the ending of the show in complete darkness or at least let it fade out w/o any explaination. At least we wouldn't have to see just how BIG Suzanne Sommers Thighs really are ! ! ! ! When she gets off the chair during the show.

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), December 13, 1999.


Nails on chalkboard everytime a reporter reminds us "...is a concern that computers may interpret the date 2000 as 1900..." ARGH!

This article helps me realize that the explanation is genuinely needed.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 13, 1999.


40+ % of those questioned by CC.
Not very scientific. Bear that in mind.

Still, incredibly uninformed masses, it appears.

They shall soon get it. NO thanx to the illustrious governmental efforts to mitigate the problem. (*note sardonicism)

It is a crime the way the message has not gotten out.
A crime.
By a criminal government, funded by your tax dollars.

-- you'llNevergobroke underestimating thestupidityofthe (masses@p.t.Barnum), December 13, 1999.


whoops, make that: - you'llNevergobroke OVERestimating thestupidityofthe (masses@p.t.Barnum)

-- you'llNevergobroke OVERestimating thestupidityofthe (masses@P.T.Barnum), December 13, 1999.

Sheri,

Grrr....I've tried four times to post a reply...and four times AOL times out on me. So I guess its not to be.

Hmmm...Casa de Maria - The Thrill on the Hill ;)

-- Darby (DarbyII@AOL.com), December 14, 1999.


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