In this day and age of a Media that serves more of an entertainment function then that of news reporter, and which lives to promote hysteria and fear, has anyone thought of how this might effect them?

For example: If only a small percentage of the population panics and runs to the grocery stores, the shelves will be wiped clean thus causing a _real_ emergency where there may not have been one before. (Anyone remember the Johnny Carson Toilet Paper fiasco of the seventies?).

How could that same effect affect us in the utility industry? Could our remote sites become subject to vandelism due to pilfering for supplies, generators, whatever? Will we need armed security at generating plants and distrubtion stations to fend off angry hysterical mobs? And what about environmental extremists who may decide to take advantage of this situation for their own political gain?

Myself, I am more worried about these issues then I am about many of the others. Because these are much harder issues to control, and harder to fix in advance. Also we're already working on the technical problems (well at least we are here), but so far I haven't seen anyone working on the Human problems.

-- Anonymous, September 22, 1998

Answers

John, I believe part of the answer to your concerns will depend on what area of the country you reside in. If you're in the North on 1/1/2000 and the power goes off, I don't think you'll have to worry too much about any prolonged vandalism simply because of the cold. Those desperate enough to leave their homes will travel to a family member or friend with a wood stove/generator, or they will head for the warmer southern states. (Always depending on how much gas they have or are able to get.)

Another part of the answer is dependent upon how fast your state National Guard can mobilize in an emergency situation and what their plans are to secure critical infrastructures.

The only way to "fix in advance" the human panic factor is to follow the wise saying of "tell all the truth and tell it quick". Unfortunately, most of the media still believe in reporting a disaster after the fact. Our legal system, with its preponderance of lawsuits, has also pretty much bottled up any honesty from those government agencies, businesses or utilities who might otherwise admit they might have problems in getting Y2K compliant in time. "Due diligence" is the catchword, you know. Have to show how you intend to be compliant in time, regardless of whether that's actually possible or not.

Those on the internet, and a few of our Senators and Representatives ARE trying to work on the "human problems" by warning anyone who will listen to make prudent preparations. ( If you've got some toilet paper stored up, you don't have to run out and get it.) It's practically inevitable, though, that there will be areas of panic at some point. I don't think you have to worry much about environmentalists, however - at least not until after any crisis situation is over. Even environmentalists use electricity and won't want to freeze or starve if the power goes out, any more than anyone else does. And if the electricity stays operational, there won't be any reason to worry about angry mobs at generating plants. If there are mobs then, they'll likely be at the banks! I would like to see a lot more Y2K awareness and "controlled anxiety" among the public. It's much more constructive than ignorance turning to panic. Do your part, and tell others of the possible disruptions the year 2000 computer problem may cause. Perhaps most won't listen or believe, but some will - and every person who is aware and prepared, is one less in an hysterical mob.

-- Anonymous, September 22, 1998

I have been trying to spread the word amoung those I love and care for. I've also been working on creating a newsletter which would contain balanced information to build awareness. Both of these things have been much more difficult than I had imagined.

I think that given the worldwide economic turmoil to come and add to that the early problems of y2k and the change of the Millennium and we would have seen panic anyway. Then, add into that the lunatic fringe and give them a reason to act out and you have the makings of a serious crisis. Throw in to the crisis all the disruptions of y2k (even if they are moderate) and you have the makings of a major, worldwide, human catasrophy.

I understand both the governments and corporations of the world and their resistance to warn the public given that the warnings themselves might create a panic. But, if they were more vocal now and began to marshall the public into preparing we would be less likely to any major panic by the time of the rollover.

I fear now that time will run out and we will miss the chance to avoid the hysteria. Another shame to put on top of all the shamefu

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1998

It's true that the media often sensationalizes the news, and this has sometimes happened with Y2K. Consider the flip side: what if the media was presented with evidence of a credible and potentially disruptive threat to the power grid and ignored it? When folks like Rick Cowles are publicly raising questions about the utility industry's readiness, the media has a responsibility to inform the public. On balance, I think it best that the public know the facts. Some media will report them responsibly, and the overwhelming majority of people will respond rsponsibly. Some media will go overboard, and some readers may as well.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 1998

As a workshop leader for Disaster Preparedness for a while now, I,too, am curious as to the effects of Y2K on our society. Since most people simply take in information about the world as presented by the media, we can only hope that the media do their job in an ethical manner (i.e.,report the information in an unbiased and unslanted way), but why should they start now? Let's face it--we're an entertainment-obsessed society. The cold, hard facts of reality are kept at bay through constant bombardment of our senses with advertising, sports, electronics devices, printed material, ad nauseum.I have come to the conclusion that EVEN IF NOTHING HAPPENS on the fateful date, it has become irrelevant. The very PERCEPTION of an impending crisis will CAUSE a crisis. I attempt to teach everyone in my seminars that the Y2K phenomenon has served the purpose of making everyone aware of their total dependence on "The System" to take care of their every need. But those of us who have had numerous experiences with having to take care of ourselves, for whatever reason, know that "The System" can all too easily be disrupted. It has become too fragile and depends on too many elements working perfectly to function as designed. People need to be alerted, yes, but not just to this problem. What about the whole laundry-list of events which can disrupt our normal lives: storms, droughts, earthquakes, etc, etc. We EACH must learn to take care of ourselves and our loved ones when disasters strike. How prepared are YOU?

-- Anonymous, September 25, 1998

Maybe the media and government officals have a vested interest in not telling the truth as they know it about Y2K energy issues. I am sure there are many people in the energy field trying to fix Y2K, just as I am sure there are even more people in the energy field trying to hold on to there jobs and positions by not saying they were late getting started or they may not be ready.The longer the truth is with held from the people the worse it will be, manufactures and supply lines probable could take up the extra purchases of people stocking up just in case there are energy problems, however if the word is not given untill well into 1999 then who takes the responsability for the panic.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 1998