The "pessimist" argument has always been that the code will not get fixed on time; that we will enter the Year 2000 with un-fixed systems. This has been a constant.

What the impact will be is, of course, highly open to speculation, and is highly dynamic. The state of the economy, dismal reports of expected non-compliance of our major cities, lack of serious preparation on the part of most people, huge debt, fractional reserve banking with only a tiny amount of actual currency, etc., etc., are all relevant and are always used as a "best guess" as to how severe the impact will be. But the bottom line is: Noone knows.

Meanwhile, it is my observation that, by and large, it is the "optimist" arguments that appear to have changed like the wind. From "Y2K is a hoax" to "it is real but way overblown" to "a 'silver bullet' solution will be found" to "it will be fixed by 12/31/1998 with a full year for testing" to "mission critical systems will be fixed by 12/31/1998 with a full year for testing" to "mission critical systems will be fixed with fix-on-failure in lieu of testing" to "fix-on-failure and contingecy planning will see us through".

80 days.

Y2K CANNOT BE FIXED!

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.~net), October 12, 1999.

Where are they now? Hiding behind new aliases, appropriately ashamed, condemning themselves...and strangley, by this very action, finally Getting It.

Vindicated Regards,
Andy Ray

-- Andy Ray (andyman633@hotmail.com), July 05, 2000

Answers

Dear Mr. Ray;

Please be advised that, by posting several times without using the obligatory word "meme" or some variant, you are falling behind on the terms of our contract (Ref. Section IV, Paragraph 11). I'm sure this is just an oversight, but our legal staff has asked me to bring this to your attention.

Thanks for the continued use of the teal font, though. I know you've told me several times it makes you gag, but this IS the marketing strategy we agreed on.

P.S. Where's the book?

-- (Your.Publisher@Memes-R-Us.com), July 05, 2000.

Such a lonely, obsessed little man. Andy Ray, when you close a door, how many times do you pull on it?

-- (nemesis@awol.com), July 05, 2000.

Nem:

He is most likely an excessive/compulsive and WONT even touch the door knob without a papertowel!!!!!!

Andy: How many times a day do you straiten out your throw rugs dude?

****snicke******, couldnt resist.

----excessive, excessive, excessive regards, sumer

-- consumer (shh@aol.com), July 05, 2000.