As a computer programmer, I laughed at the thought that Y2K could in any way disrupt our lives -- that was two months ago. The more I study the problem, the more I'm convinced that it WILL disrupt our lives. So, for many reasons I'm moving back to Colorado (I just moved to California 6 months ago). I'm really worried about what to do after that. But at the same time, I have this horrible thought -- what if it's all just wishful thinking on my part? What if, just because I don't like our society, I secretly want the end of our world as I know it?? Has this thought bothered anyone else??

-- "Emma Waller" (whyknot99@yahoo.com), July 03, 1998

Answers

You asked:

"What if, just because I don't like our society, I secretly want the end of our world as I know it?? Has this thought bothered anyone else?

Yes, but not secretly.

-- Joe Stout (joewstout@iswt.com), July 03, 1998.

Many have thought of that. I think they all work in the Federal Government however! Seriously though, it is not an easy subject to recognize, and I, like yourself two months ago was ignorant to the subject and thought it was laughable. Be strong and slowly introduce your family and friends to this crisis. I use the word crisis as we will, as a nation, become self-sufficient again. We must ignore the cry of other nations until ours is rebuilt and re-modernized after the events to come in the next 9 to 12 mos. Otherwise we will stay in the projected economic depression far longer than necessary. Only our country has the ability to lead, and our best resources, the people, do not need to become so despondent that they give up entirely.

-- John Galt (jgaltfla@hotmail.com), July 03, 1998.

You are not alone in the struggle to understand your own feelings about our society in light of y2k. I go back and forth on how I feel about our society as it is, crashing or surviving.

Some days I'm rooting for it to come to a screeching halt and I hope the people who think what we've got now is a good thing--well, I hope they lose everything. Mostly I feel like this when the government spouts off about how well the economy is doing (meaning the rich are making and spending money) and when they give themselves more power to control our lives and when people think that consuming more material goods is a good thing for our world. Let it end!!!!

Other days, I don't want the y2k problem to destroy us. Mostly, I think of the people, like my mother, who has worked hard her entire life without any other option and has managed to save a tiny amount of money on which to retire, unfortunately or fortunately, in 12-99. Hers is a government pension so she could potentially lose everything and she in no way deserves what may befall her.

For those of us who already "live gently upon this earth"--there are some good things that I hope we don't lose - like education and art(for just two examples). Not everything we've built is dreadful and repulsive.

I don't believe that we will lose these things in the long run but the thought of the good things we do have being swept out with the bad makes me sad. I personally believe that if we can keep the electricity going it will not be the end of all this that we know. I try not to care too much about what will happen to the stock market, or the big car makers, or the government even, but unfortunately--the ripple effect brings it all down to the every day, good people of the country who will be the ones to suffer. Only this makes me hope it isn't as bad as it could be.

I also worry for the people who are dependent on modern medicine. I saw a news report that 4 people in Florida died because whatever computerized machine they were using malfunctioned and incorrectly mixed the chemical levels and sent it right through the body's system--without warning and without human intervention. Millions of people rely on these sorts of medical/computerized treatments. And that wasn't even a y2k problem. These are the things I'm concerned about and the things that make me hope beyond all hope that it's not total destruction ahead....

Bill C.

-- Bill Currier (Pookahrini@aol.com), July 04, 1998.

I totally agree. It seems that there are many people who find that Y2K fits their previous agendas (new age, religious, survivalism etc) and are accepting the more apocalyptic of the possible outcomes.

I for one, have not found life in the competitive world that I live in at all easy. I would in many ways suit me fine if there was a levelling out on a grand scale. My self sufficiency skills would shine in new world that had, amongst other things a barter economy.

But this is fanciful stuff. I must grow up and work hard in this environment. If things come to that then I will deal with it when it comes.

I have modified my thinking on this recently. Not long ago I was going to move to the country, however I will probably end up living long term in London, (UK) but be in the country over the new year break in case it goes pear shaped for a week or so.

I am however learning new career skills in IT that I will be able to take to the country should I need to. So many careers rely on being in or near the big smoke, computer skills are required everywhere, (now more than ever!).

-- Patrick Coghill (patrick.coghill@virgin.net), July 06, 1998.

I think that there is a little bit of fasination with self destruction in all of us. The giddy feeling when you stand on the edge of a precipace, slowing down to look at accidents, fires and other disasters. I think I can safely say that man is the only species that is vicarious. No other animal can get any degree of satisfaction by watching others? What other animal watches pornography, sports or soap operas? If society comes crashing down on our heads, might there not be a tiny bit of satisfaction in saying, "Well, it's finally happening!"

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), July 06, 1998.