Cross-post from GICC.

Applying the lessons learned from Y2K in a bigger game

David Sunfellow of New Heaven New Earth is collecting last thoughts before he completes his Y2K listserve. He writes: << I feel good about these efforts but continue to wonder at how poorly many of us (including me) misjudged the outcome of Y2K. I also alternate, wildly, between feeling all is well in the universe, on the one hand, with a deep and abiding concern that human kind is headed for serious, possibly specie-threatening disasters, on the other. >>

My response: My feelings are mixed, too. On the one hand, I feel good about the self-negating prophecy that Y2K became; I feel good about the common challenge that brought people together within organizations, among organizations, within nations, and among nations. I am thrilled where we "built community, not crises." And I have no remorse about the extensive efforts and cost in time and money that I invested, although it may take years to dig out of a financial hole. I value greatly our learnings about what people - including myself - are unable or unwilling to see about what is occuring or will occur.

On the other hand, I doubt that Y2K is "over". While our culture continues to avoid acknowledging Y2K like a plague, unexplained breakdowns continue to emerge - in patterns predicted by Y2K analysts last year. Explanation is lacking for "why more didn't happen." That lack of explanation should be a red flag inviting "what aren't we noticing, what aren't we connecting." Dismissing Y2K as impotent is premature, in my opinion.

Many questions and explanations for "why more didn't happen... YET " bear watching. Here's one: What is the leadtime between the time that time-encoded embedded chips are manufactured, and the time that they are connected to a system with a power source to keep time ticking? Based on that leadtime, when might one expect embedded system breakdowns to occur?

I am one of those still on watch, who continue to collect data and reports about infrastructure disruptions, searching for patterns and connections. And like sailors on watch, we need not find the iceberg worthy of sounding an alarm to validate our work. Occasional and serious visitors alike are welcome at http://my.cybersoup.com/y2kgicc/ and at //www.ciaosystems.com/glitchcentral.htm

David, I share your concerns "that human kind is headed for serious, possibly specie-threatening disasters." Environmentally, economically, socially and spiritually.

I never understood why lemmings did what they did before. I'm beginning to. As I participate in humanity's self-afflicted extinction, I notice that I am: Deepening my understanding and awareness, but not all my actions. Turned off by consumerism, pettiness, arrogance and homocentricity. Frustrated by defensive or antagonistic minds demanding proof for inevitable consequences. Speaking up, often, but not always. Torn between beating a drum, and providing for just my own loved ones. Applying the lessons learned from Y2K in a bigger game.

-- Jan Nickerson (JaNickrson@aol.com), March 28, 2000

-- Flash (flash@flash.hq), March 28, 2000

Answers

I won't comment on the "specie-threatening disasters" part. They are always within the realm of possibility, no matter how unlikely.

The Y2K concerns are another matter.

"What is the leadtime between the time that time-encoded embedded chips are manufactured, and the time that they are connected to a system with a power source to keep time ticking? Based on that leadtime, when might one expect embedded system breakdowns to occur?"

This writer still doesn't understand how time is used in "embedded chips". This has been debunked so many times it's getting boring.

Also, I have yet to see anyone offer data supporting the notion that "unexplained breakdowns" are occurring now more frequently than they did prior to 1/1/00.

-- Buddy (buddydc@go.com), March 28, 2000.

"And I have no remorse about the extensive efforts and cost in time and money that I invested, although it may take years to dig out of a financial hole."

Speak for yourself; I for one resent like the hell the money we lost, and the time I wasted fooling around with god-damned baskets, boxes, and cans, and storing an wrestling food and water like a god-damned idiot. Serves me right for listening to those who claim to know and yet, don't know shit. I think being prepared for a short time is fine, maybe two months, but anything more is overkill.

But what I really resent, as I've said before, and I'll say again, is selling stock and losing several thousand dollars. Luckily we're not in a financial hole, but we are retired, and now any idea of taking the trips we had planned is gone.

And as far as whether Y2K is over, IT IS OVER! Get over it. No one is avoiding acknowledging Y2K like the plague, 'cause it isn't there. Time for a reality check.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), March 28, 2000.

I think I see a pattern here.

1. Y2K was actually a "self negating" prophecy therefore the predictions were not wrong but Y2K mutated, sort of like a virus.

2. We built a community not a crisis even though building up Y2K as crisis was the only way to build this "community"

3. I feel good about spending lots of money on junk I'll never need even thought it is causing me financial hardship because....well, just because.

4. There are still many hidden Y2K dangers that bear watching and, if I watch hard enough, I'll find them, even if the sheeple can't see them.

5. If I use a lot of new age buzz words like "learnings", "homocentricity", and "community" it will make it seem like all those wasted years and dollars actually had some higher purpose.

And she talks about lemmings.....

-- Jim Cooke (JJCooke@yahoo.com), March 28, 2000.

Well said, Jim.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), March 28, 2000.

http://www.fema.gov/nwz00/consumers0106.htm

Link

FEMA Urges Consumers To Keep Y2K Preparedness Items

While the Y2K bug didn't bite, the preparations Americans made just in case are still valid. FEMA Director James Lee Witt is encouraging those who bought bottled water and extra food, batteries, flashlights and other equipment in anticipation of Y2K problems to keep the items on hand.

"FEMA recommends that families always have a disaster supply kit that contains items you'd need if services were unavailable for a few days," said Witt. "Those families that prepared for Y2K were doing the right thing whether those supplies were needed over New Year's or not."

Some news outlets have been reporting that people are returning batteries, flashlights and generators, among other Y2K preparedness items.

"Being prepared for a winter storm, a hurricane or earthquake is good policy," Witt said. "We congratulate those who prepared for Y2K and urge them to begin the new year prepared for any eventuality."

Witt added that those who bought more food than they can easily store, might want to consider donating it to area food banks.

Disaster Supply Kit Information

-- (always@be.prepared), March 28, 2000.

And as far as whether Y2K is over, IT IS OVER! Get over it. No one is avoiding acknowledging Y2K like the plague, 'cause it isn't there. Time for a reality check.

Damn gilda -- you always take the words right outta my mouth! Isn't it a bitch? My surplus is going to charities this week. Whatever possessed us to think we would actually eat all this shit in a LIFETIME is beyond me.

Lots of hungry food kitchens out there. Luckily, grains cost very little, so not much loss there, but the CHOICES and TIME --- that's another story. Not to mention the dinty moore dog food and similiar canned crap.

never again :-)

-- (doomerstomper@usa.net), March 28, 2000.

Hi doomstomper, glad to see you again. I've given away all my Ramen noodles, the prefab tacos, lots of canned goods that were date sensitive, and I've still got lots of stuff. I hate canned soup/slop, but luckily, my husband and the dogs like the canned stew.

I guess the thing that bothers me the most is feeling like a hick taken in by the guy at the carnival.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), March 28, 2000.

Whatever possessed us to think we would actually eat all this shit in a LIFETIME is beyond me.

Looks like doomerstomper thought the grid would collapse and stay down. Why did you think that?

-- Are (you@really.serious?), March 28, 2000.

"FEMA recommends that families always have a disaster supply kit that contains items you'd need if services were unavailable for a few days," said Witt.

Apparently the FEMA post was to provide some justification for the types of preps described above. However, note the "few days" part. No one is saying that preparing for likely disasters where you live is a bad idea. The problem with Y2K preps were with that small minority that went into debt to prepare for the end of the world. FEMA never said that was a good idea.

-- Jim Cooke (JJCooke@yahoo.com), March 28, 2000.

The problem with Y2K preps were with that small minority that went into debt to prepare for the end of the world. FEMA never said that was a good idea.

Most people on TB2000 did not think Y2k would be the end of the world.

-- (Always@be.prepared), March 28, 2000.

Maybe not, "Always", but they sure didn't speak up when the ones who did think so spouted their BS.

-- Buddy (buddydc@go.com), March 28, 2000.

And what part of the words "small minority" didn't you understand....? That means most didn't. We're not talking about most people here - we're talking about Ms Nickerson and her admitted "extensive efforts and cost in time and money that I invested". People like Ms Nickerson were the drivers of TB 2000, not those that made reasonable precautions, and they influenced others to go into debt based on their extreme views.

-- Jim Cooke (JJCooke@yahoo.com), March 28, 2000.

Buddy:

Maybe not, "Always", but they sure didn't speak up when the ones who did think so spouted their BS.

And what good would that have done? All it gets you is a nasty letter from the author. Ask Flint.

Best wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 28, 2000.

Very true, Z, and for speaking up I was labelled a troll.

-- Buddy (buddydc@go.com), March 28, 2000.

Flash:

The lesson is very simple. As "Snoopy" said, it is a game of what-ifs.

Let us take one example: The next time you read an article about the dangers of GM foods, ask yourself the following question: did they say that this outcome was possible or probable. The difference is what the whole Y2K scare was about. Possible or Probable. Possible or Reasonable. Possible or whatever; you get the picture.

Best wishes,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 28, 2000.