Results of y2k presentations

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I made my first y2k presentation at a local library in the middle of September; three people showed-up and all three were knowledgeable or involved with y2k. Last week I gave a second presentation at another local library; thirteen people showed up, and it was clear that at least some had more than a casual knowledge/interest in y2k. Here's my observations so far:

* The general public, even those with whom I've talked about the severity of y2k, have NOT taken the time to attend the presentation. It seems that the people who do attend have either "discovered" y2k on their own, or have a natural skepticism of mainstream news reports about y2k and feel somehow a NEED to learn more. Could we be seeing Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection in operation?

* Although I suspect I may have been preaching to the choir to some extent, the audience has been completely on board every minute of my one hour presentation. Last week, for example, not one person moved to get up even after the Q&A and I literally had to start packing up before they took the hint that we were past closing time, and were holding up the staff.

On Oct. 20, I will be presenting a modified version of my talk to our town council (including the mayor). However, I have been told that I have been pre-empted by a little league discussion. As a result, my talk on the "fall of western civilization" may have to be condensed into 15 minutes.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Roger Altman

-- Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), October 10, 1998

Answers

Dr. Altman said "It seems that the people who do attend have either "discovered" y2k on their own, or have a natural skepticism of mainstream news reports about y2k and feel somehow a NEED to learn more. Could we be seeing Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection in operation?"

I'm glad you mentioned Darwin...I've had these dark thoughts in my mind that keep creeping up the surface and I try to shove them back down into oblivion, but now that I've had a few glasses of wine (it's Saturday night..hey)they're floating up again...

I think I'm a rational, healthy person. But I tend to side on the idea that "Mother Earth" knows what she's doing...you know, ecological equilibrium etc...So, the past few decades, I think you'll all agree with me, the earth in general because of humans, has had to go through major strains that occured quite fast, exponentially speaking. Over population growth, technological explosion and the world getting smaller and more interconnected etc, strain on resources...deseases once thought cure resurfacing and deadlier than ever..could it be that this Y2K "mistake" from the human race, will level everything down to a managable level for "Mother Earth"? "Survival of the fittest" being those who are smart enough to recognize the present situation and be prepared to survive?...I'm rambling...well, at least I got this off my chest. Where else could I express those thoughts but here? ;)

Chris

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), October 10, 1998.


Chris, Don't be ashamed of your "ramblings". If you accept a metaphysical background for all things physical,regardless of your particular religious persuasion, then you have to at least consider such concepts. Nature has balance and symmetry. If you remember your college biology, take a look at population growth curves vs food supply. It doesn't matter what particular species you look at. The results are always the same. In the absence of other controls, the population number will rise exponentially --- then crash. Sound familiar?

-- R. D..Herring (drherr@erols.com), October 11, 1998.

"Last week, for example, not one person moved to get up even after the Q&A..."

When the reality of Y2K first hit me, and again on several occasions since, I was almost stunned. When this happens, I'm still trying to process some new information, and trying to determine "What does this mean to me?" and "What do I do now?"

We all react differently to situations, but maybe that's what you're seeing. Just a guess.

-- Mike (gartner@execpc.com), October 11, 1998.


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