everyone that has posted here seems relatively intelligent. but why does it seem like everybody is only concerned about the computer aspect of the power supply "problem?" any ideas on what to do when parts start breaking down and there's nothing in reserves to replace them with? and no transportation service in effect to get them to the plant? or even a supplier of the needed parts because they couldn't be manufactured? i hope everyone wakes up and goes to this site, if they haven't already: www.comlinks.com/briefings/fchain.htm i think we would all best be served by implementing mandatory survival training for every man, woman and child. that means learning how to survive in smaller communities without the need for modern utilities. what do we do with all the poor souls stuck in the cities come zero hour or even the months leading up to it. millions of city folk are going to be part of a mass exodus to any available land that has food, water and shelter. those millions, not to mention your average lower to upper class citizens whose usual meal comes from a microwave or a waiter, are going to need to know how to hunt for their food, make candles, start a fire, and in general live off the land. then again without modern transportation, i expect the cities wont be too empty of chilled bodies. yeah, a bit morbid. but... THINGS WILL NOT WORK LIKE THEY SHOULD!!! and lots of people are going to be caught with their ass in a sling. so lets please start focusing more on contingency issues in our posts. and start spreading the word now. put some links in your e-mail to skeptic friends. bring it up at dinner parties. of course our capitalist society will survive, of course we'll get power running again and be able to run around in our little rat cage lives, but its gonna be a long winter before things are ever back to normal. good luck everybody.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 1998

Answers

Hello, Robert-- My impression of this site is that it's a place where people can come to explore just the one, limited topic of electric power as it relates to y2k in some depth. The vastness and complexity of the problem are dealt with on other sites, and participants in this forum visit them, too. Here's we're focusing on this single, key issue in an attempt to understand its part in the overall picture. By the way, some excellent information on how to inform others about the problem and how to begin thinking about working with people on a community level can be found at: http://www.co-intelligence.org/Y2K.html It's one of the most helpful y2k sites I have found on the Web, and I strongly urge everyone to browse through its thoughtful ideas.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 1998