This forum is been great. It has a much grander mission than any other forum on the web; we have tried to understand the entire world in which we live. This has been a daunting and intellectually satisfying pursuit to say the least.

I'm proud to be a doomer. I opened my eyes and other people's eyes to risk, and we all seem to be better for it even after the *apparent* non-event. I respect the so-called pollys that carefully evaluated the situation and decided that the risk was not substantial. I detest the many pollys (especially those with families) who refused to confront the risk at all; they will eat major buckets of shit at some point since risks will reappear from time to time and risk is a game of probabilities. We may end up feeling a little silly or misguided, but we were, for the most part, philosophically and morally correct no matter what the the fourth quarter brings.

I don't think Y2K is a done deal by any stretch of the imagination. I think the complex events that take place this coming year will be fascinating to watch. In the very least, I feel very strongly that the market *MUST* crash, and this seems to be the only group that shares this sentiment. The arguments that I've stated many, many times could be understood by a sixth grader (but apparently not by Wall St. money managers.) This group has a truly impressive collective wisdom.

Here's the problem. It was exciting -- imperative -- to follow the lead-up to the roll-over once I realized that catastrophic results were *possible*. From here on, it appears that Y2K will unfold slowly. Although a doomer since 1997, 1999 has been a bitter sweet chapter of my life in which pre-occupation with Y2K made it "the year of waiting". If I follow 2000 with the same intensity, I will die a "death by a thousand cuts". I need my normal life back. Maybe I'll be back, but hopefully not.

With great anxiety and mixed feelings, I wish you all the best.

Dropping my anonymity for a second time...

Best regards

David Collum Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Y2K Studies Cornell University dbc@cornell.edu

PS -- If you've read this far, I have two requests if you feel inspired: (1) consider dropping me an email telling me who you really are, and (2) drop me an email if the shit is really hitting the fan and I should start gulping down KI!

Now I must hit the submit key...

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), January 05, 2000

Answers

Godspeed Dave! Always enjoyed reading your posts..hope the years ahead bring blessing to you and your household. Prosper and live well!

Sincerely,

Timothy Mercier from Illinois

-- TM (mercier7@pdnt.com), January 05, 2000.

Dave,

Thank you for your contribution.

May the days ahead treat you kindly.

-- (cujo@baddog.byte), January 05, 2000.

Dave, I've been a dedicated lurker here. My sentiments are very similar to yours. I ordered $200 from a nursery catalog today....my first steps toward attempting to live this year instead of hanging onto every new development.

Thanks for your post.

sher

-- sher (sher777@bellsouth.net), January 05, 2000.

Take a breather to refresh your soul Dave! (You'll be back... if events warrant).

BTW, my grandfather went to Cornell.

;-D

Blessings.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), January 05, 2000.

Oops--that should have read "ordered $200 worth of plants today."

-- sher (sher777@bellsouth.net), January 05, 2000.

I give you a couple of days...at most, a week, David :)

We'll see you again soon, but - until then - a warm thanks for your many and valued contributions!

-- John Whitley (jwhitley@inforamp.net), January 05, 2000.

Been here only a short time and this has become an addiction to me not so much because of Y2K althought that was my basic interest, but because of the knowledge and wisdom displayed on this forum. I do believe that what this forum is made of is what has made our nation ont of the greatest to ever have or shall be. I donot and am not wise this is very evident by the complete failure that I call my life. But I do enjoy the uplifting wisdom that all you wise people display. How sad that it must end after such a short time, but again that is the story of my life. When I do find something that I like, it is just ending, or is deleted, or some thing else that keeps me from reaping any sort of benefits. May God bless you and yours.

-- Notforlong (Fsur439@aol.com), January 05, 2000.

Dave:

You'll be BA-A-A-A-A-CK!!!!

Chuck

Watch for my e-mail

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 05, 2000.

Dave: Good luck, dude.

sher: Do you like to mudwrestle?

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), January 05, 2000.

Dave, is dbc@cornell.edu your correct e address? I sent you a message, but it keeps coming back at me. Are servers still turned off on campus?

-- silver ion (ag3@interlog.com), January 05, 2000.

Thanks Dave for sharing your insights:-)

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 05, 2000.

email address: dbc6@cornell.edu

Now my bookmarks at work must be deleted...

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), January 05, 2000.

Bye Dave! I hope your colleagues aren't giving you too much razzing. I know you tried to warn them. I'm just glad my name isn't Paloma O'Reilly right now.

-- Amy Leone (leoneamy@aol.com), January 05, 2000.

Professor Dustbin did not know this...

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), January 05, 2000.