An Open Letter And A Call To Action For Marketing Y2K Preparation

As I, and so many others have studied the nationwide and global Y2K or Year 2000 millennium bug problem over the past couple months, to several years on the internet and elsewhere, many of us are now convinced, that at the very least, we are about to enter an extremely uncertain period of time, during the whole of 1999. A time where disinformation and half-truths will interweave with truthful Y2K remediation and testing status reports scattered around both the internet information and newsmedia backwaters. A clear challenge is to discern the truth within our key infrastructure such as utilities, communications, banking, transportation, etc. Especially important is illuminating the true status of those interdependent organizations that directly impact the operational aspects of companies and individuals within a local community.

It is also quite clear that Y2K is so massive and so high, so deep, wide and small, at one and the same time, that the question is no longer IF we will have problems, but when, and for how long. From my perspective, and far more knowledgeable others opinions, at this timing, it cant all be fixed in time. Period. Therefore a large damage control effort needs to occur concurrently with programmers racing towards their time deadlines of 12/31/1999, just before the year 2000 rollover. There is an extreme need to prepare a nation, and our local communities, for a potentially bumpy ride. On this issue our government and most big business have fallen way short of their civic responsibilities in alerting the general populace to an alarming trend that will most certainly have direct impact upon their daily lives and livelihoods.

Granted the government, both U.S, and States are walking a Y2K tightrope, currently without a safety net. Their challenge is how to inform a nation without causing a panic that triggers the very economic collapse and bank runs, they most fear. How do you avoid a self-fulfilling prophecy? Our contention is that the more people, businesses and communities that are prepared, calmly and wisely, the better our national and global chances are of surviving the Y2K unknown, with at best, a steep recession, and at worst a lengthy depression.

The covert strategy of non-preparation, currently being followed in D.C., may have disastrous consequences resulting in extreme loss of life, and infrastructure disruption, caused by an angry rioting and surprised populace in the scattered tinder-box cities across the land. (The TEOTWAWKI scenario). I propose that responsible organizations and digital internet citizens in all parts of the country and our world, communicate in a common digital voice to impact a newsmedia Y2K awareness campaign. Encourage your local and national newsmedia to show individuals and communities how to prepare for the incoming, simultaneous and nationwide Y2K hurricanes.

The newsmedia needs to be persistently prompted to write both human and community interest stories on local preparations, U.S. and international government and military readiness, and to also focus in-depth investigative journalistic attention on the true status of our technological world as viewed from behind-the-scenes and within the programming trenches. Press releases from the various corporate and government marketing staffs are just not valid enough in providing reliable assurances that everything will be okay, when our very survival is at stake! A quick look at the Y2K status of public companies and utilities recently filing their required quarterly SEC 10-Q reports (try: http://www.edgar-online.com/, or http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/srch-edgar) rapidly shows that all is NOT well, behind-the scenes. That the corporate, very public smiling outer face, is masking a hidden face, distorted with fear and anguish. We need to know the truth, so we can all get ready. Period. Anything less is grossly irresponsible.

In addition, I personally and strongly believe that mobilizing the luminaries and stars (the ones that the general populace already honors and reveres) to send a collective We Can All Come Together To Create Community, Prepare To Share, And Be Y2K Aware message is wise policy at this time. Someone has to do it. Someone or a group of someones that we can trust, more than we can trust our political representatives. My vote goes to Oprah, John Glenn, Martha Stewart, Rosie ODonnel, Jesse Ventura, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Jane Seymour, Will Smith, the Spice Girls, etc., etc.

Most of us no longer believe anything both houses in Washington have to say, especially once the word is known to be originating from our nations white houses and capitol buildings. The D.C. crowd is clearly operating from a self-interested agenda, and forgets that the U.S. is us not them. It is time to create our own Y2K preparation agenda, independent of the hot pants politics still in play within the empty halls of our nations hollowed out shells of former glory.

The existing newsmedia and the luminaries can help with that endeavor. So can the digital citizens of the internet. So can you and your organizations.

Will you join up? Its simple.

Please just e-mail or write or phone the investigative journalists and editorial or production staff at your local newsmedia and their web-sites, and to your favorite national media and web-sites. Tell em what you think and what youd like them to do. Every time you see a Y2K related article or TV program, respond, and tell them what you liked about their coverage, what you didnt like, and what youd rather hear in terms of preparation suggestions and the ever-shifting Truth that is so hard to catch hold of. Do the same for your favorite celebrities. Since our government is not taking overt action, lets all do it for them, and us and the children.

Thank You in advance for being part of the solution to the overwhelming Y2K problem!

Diane J. Squire sacredspaces@yahoo.com

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 01, 1998

Answers

Request Permission, beyond "Fair Use" to quote your letter elsewhere, Ma'am.

Pvt. N.

-- Pvt. Netizen (us_all@cyber.space), December 01, 1998.

Granted -- you can even stick your own name on it and add to it!

Fire away, team nets!!!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 01, 1998.

Diane--I've been wanting to send e-m's out to our local TV stations but was so uncertain as to what to say. Writing is not one of my strong points & I think it is very important to say the "right things" & say them elequently (-3 sp). Thank you for the right words. I will also be using yours if you don't mind. A cyber hug for you!! Donna

-- Donna in Texas (Dd0143@aol.com), December 01, 1998.

Diane,

I applaud (notice the theatrical reference?) your efforts in public awareness. You are clearly a self motivated thinker and your heart is in the right place in regards to humanity. However,...if I read one more reference to your list of Hollywood "leaders", I'll scream! Just when I begin to think you may have a logical thought you mention one of your idols and loose all credibility!

You almost seem to have an obsession that these people have the answer to saving humanity. Don't you think these people already know about y2k? Don't you think they have already made preparations for themselves? If you really believe that they are so intelligent, don't you think they could take the initiative to inform the public on their own? They have staff, and PR managers, and business managers, etc... all who do most of their important thinking and decisions for them. If these people, you hold up to us, are potentially such great leaders...then why don't they influence the Hollywood money into producing T.V. and films that are of a higher moral fiber?

I can tell from all your writings that you have a very idealist vision for the future of the world...but, the tree hugging, feel good stuff that comes out of Hollywood and the well meaning enviromentalist is La La Land thinking! It's not based in reality!

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 01, 1998.

Terri,

I don't remotely think ALL luminaries have "our" interests at heart. Just some. Time and again, we have all seen groups of "them" come together for a common cause. AIDS fund-raising comes to mind. Remember the collective song "We are the world?" Please don't tar all people with the same feathers. A LARGE portion of the population -- out there -- listens to their favorite pop "star." The underlying idea is to get a nation prepared, any way that works. Washington has not only let us down, but tossed us down their toilet with them. Not all people watch PBS programming, CNN or the network news.

There is not one "right" way to alert a nation. There are many ways. To NOT try something because you disagree with some people's way of life, may well be blindfold thinking. Just try something different. See if it works. You have nothing to lose, and a whole world to gain!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 01, 1998.

I completely agree with Diane that we must use every source of credibility available to us. If they're music or movie stars, so what? Tons of people will be listening to them who will not listen to a techie guru who may very well know what he's talking about but what's he's saying doesn't sound like something they want to hear. You know what I mean? I am a systems analyst/programmer (retired) who has been in Lala Land until just recently on the Y2K problem. Just didn't think a lot about it in spite of having been submerged in computer problems for a living for years. Because I am able to understand the technical ramifications of our completely unstandardized computer world, I feel a moral mandate to begin talking to non-technical people about the problem and shall do so to the point of giving free seminars at libraries. I've noticed, though, that people's eyes glaze over if I cross one tiny step into the land of computer software, hardware or bit and bytes. They'll listen to me as long as I just talk to them about how the problem will affect their lives. That is what people need to have explained to them plus the fact that our politicians have taken leave of their senses and are only concerned with whether Bill Clinton abides by the "rules.." This problem needs a LOT of effort thrown at it right now, this minute, don't wait any longer. I have been thinking a lot lately about the effort in World War II when we built planes, planes and more planes and were victorious in the end. We have to talk so people will listen and if the words they'll listen to come from the mouths of celebrities, so be it. I believe Oprah is a particularly good bet. People listen when she speaks. Somebody call her up and tell her to start speaking. Better yet, I'll go her site right now and e-mail her.

-- Rita Kautz (KaitlynK@aol.com), December 01, 1998.

Rita, thanks.

"They'll listen to me as long as I just talk to them about how the problem will affect their lives."

The media is always looking for "an angle" on any story, even, quite soon, Y2K. When you make suggestions try to encourage the media to show different ways Y2K could affect all our lives.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 01, 1998.

Diane,

I also think that the public should be reached in what ever way they can. I believe that most of the people that come to this forum represent a portion of the more intuitive segment our population. If everyone here was to take the Meyers/Briggs test, it would probably indicate that trait as common among us. The average person out there has had every bit as much exposure to the y2k problem as myself, infact I don't even remember where I first heard about it. And as far as I know, no one waved a wand over us and made us the "chosen" ones. I just find it ironic that the people that you seem to think can "save" the masses and that you seem to think so highly of, are part of the dumbing down of our society.

Don't you get it? They already know what is going on! They will make it part of their programs and personal messages to the public at the opportune time for them... so as not to risk their popularity or ratings. And when they do come public with their "messages", the starstruck public will think that they really do care, only it will be a little too late for most. You and I both know that given the popularity and reverence they receive (if you took a poll, they would certainly and sadly win out over God) they should be making every effort RIGHT NOW to inform the public!

So please, don't put them up on some phoney pedestal as such wonderful role models (which thsy have proven not to be). Nor do they possess a higher spiritual level of awareness and oneness with the universe Your college-age ideology (which I honestly mistook you for) is usually replaced by reality. I was going to overlook your star struck obsession, until I realized that you were about the same age as myself. I do know that having children certainly changed my own perspective on life.

I have been in the advertising design and interior design fields for over twenty years. It is all a matter of creating a product based on illusion and selling it to the public. I can take a 25 cent dimestore ring, and with the right lighting and a good photographer make it look like it came out of the Neiman Marcus catalogue. The "moviestars" are a product based on illusion! And the public buys it! They have a lot of people that have investments in them, just like the stock market. They aren't going to risk the value of themselves. Only when it stands to gain them money and popularity will they speak out.

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 01, 1998.

Terri,

"I also think that the public should be reached in what ever way they can."

Then you do it your way, and I, and others will try lots of different ways. Before you shoot it down, I suggest you actually watch Oprah, before you are so quick to judge. She's changed. And she has a VERY caring heart, in addition to a very big audience. I've recently watched some of the others I've mentioned. I do not choose the one's I list lightly. I suggest those specific people based on recent things they are both doing and saying.

We'll just see.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 02, 1998.

I too judge people on what they say and do...Tom Hanks recently remarked that if he had it to do over again, he would give twice the amount to Clinton's election fund.

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 02, 1998.

Diane,

Just answer this one question...Why have they not come forward yet? If it's because you believe they don't know...then they are truly and unbelievably ignorant. If they are aware of it and really have such caring hearts...then why haven't they spoken?

Which is it?

Maybe they are just waiting to hear from you!

I hope they do come forward soon...but it won't be because of your efforts...that's why they spend millions of dollars on creative staff and you can't believe know one has suggested it to them!

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 02, 1998.

i do not like having to agree with diane, i don't even like reading her posts(most times i don't). however she is right here in one sense. we should use every resource available to get the word out.

i am not religious, however that was what i used to convince my sister to prepare. do i feel bad about this? NO. not if my sister and her family survive.

-- areseejay (areseejay@aol.com), December 02, 1998.

Terri,

"Why have they not come forward yet?" Because not enough of us have galvanized the newsmedia.

You understand marketing. Supply/Demand. This is a demand pull through strategy. We need to ask and encourage them to take a stand, so they, and we, can supply the "right stuff" to the millions upon millions of people out there who will all have different ways of "getting it."

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 02, 1998.

Terri,

Just a current example of one event bringing artists together to focus attention of a problem. Just imagine. -- Diane

http://cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/News/9812/01/showbuzz/index.html#story5 Artists sing for peace on 'Bridge Of Hope'

LONDON (CNN) -- A new album released Monday is helping raise money for victims of the August 15 bombing in Northern Ireland. "Across The Bridge Of Hope" features Sinead O'Connor, Van Morrison, U2 and Boyzone, and includes a reading by actor Liam Neeson of a poem written by 12-year-old Shaun McLaughlin, who was killed in the attack. The boy's poem about peace in Northern Ireland inspired the title of the album. The car bomb, planted by Irish Republican Army dissidents, killed 29 people and injured 370 in Omagh.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 02, 1998.

Diane,

I guess your not going to give a straight answer...you're talking in circles. So, now supply and demand are the overriding criteria to standing up and speaking out! What about their loving, caring hearts? The fact is, most of the Hollywood industry (I said MOST) are liberals and supporters of Clinton and his agenda. His agenda happens to be the NWO...one of the goals of the NWO is to elliminate a vast portion of the world population. Y2k may be the answers to their prayers (did I say PRAYERS?, that might be considered blasphemy).

Diane, I really believe you genuinely don't have a grip on reality and the magnitude of the suffering that will occur. I think you have this vision that we will all hold hands around the world and sing our love chants and it will make all the boo boos go way. Additionally, I think you are thoroughly enjoying this opportunity to be seen and heard (in spite of what ever good that may come from it).

O.K., regardless of what the ulterior motives are, get the word out...just beware of false idols, and their hidden agendas!

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 02, 1998.

Diane, I agree that we should each begin our own little media blitz. Write letters to editors, respond to articles and shows, etc. Good idea.

I also agree with trying to use as many avenues of awareness that we can, but will the public take the Spice Girls seriously if they say TEOTWAWKI is coming? Most people don't even take influencial figures such as Oprah very seriously apart from their ability to entertain. That doesn't mean I don't think we should solicit their assistance. But I tend to think most people will take action only as the problems begin to unfold in 1999 and real examples start hitting the news and news-style programs (Dateline, Nightline, etc) on a daily basis. Remember Mr. Yourdon's position is shared by many. We just don't know how bad it will be. Until we begin to see some genuine Y2K fallout, I don't think anyone will be motivated to take it as seriously as they should. Just an opinion.

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), December 02, 1998.

Terri,

I notice your grip on reality and the magnitude of the suffering that MIGHT occur, still cause you to blast anything that does not meet with your accepted view of reality. I have NO illusions about what is at stake here. I just want more, rather than less, to make it through Y2K. Comprende?

As pertains to the Spice Girls, I watched one concert. I watched them being interviewed. Those "kids" have heart and even care about their moms! Quite refreshing. A LARGE group of other young kids idolizes them. I doubt they watch CNN. THOSE kids might "get it" coming from the people they, rightly or wrongly, respect!

There IS no right or wrong way for kickstarting Y2K awareness, assuming you stick to integrity and honor and caring.

Of, the time I spend on Y2K newsmedia awareness, 95% of that time is currently spent on newsmedia e-mails. Get them moving and the rest will start moving. I still think Oprah is the "lynch-pin" for the luminary crowd.

A whole lot of people are coming together to move one h*lluva mountain here. We need lots of leverage -- newsmedia is a big key, IMVHO.

Thanks, for those who choose to take additional community oriented action.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 02, 1998.

Diane, haven't you (or any of you others on this subject) considered putting yourself "out there" in your own community? Rita, your idea about free seminars at libraries is excellent! In October, I gave a preparedness talk to some 60 seniors at the local AARP chapter. (I'm not a member, but it was easy to convince them to let me do it for them.) In March, I will be part of a four-person panel presenting Y2K preparedness at a large Bible and Book store in my community. Again, I offered to do this, and the owner has asked me to put it together. (The store has a room for community meetings that will seat some 150+.) I will again urge seniors to prepare (and younger adults to be certain their parents will be o.k.). I've invited a pastor to present church/community preparedness, someone from the Red Cross to do their excellent survival package presentation, and intend to contact the County Emergency Managment Administrator to ask if he or she will join the panel. We will have a morning and an afternoon session, with a half-hour Q&A at the end of each. The store owner will charge $5.00 each, and there will be helpful handouts given. (She has found that free, reservation meetings result in people either not coming or too many without reservations showing up. If there is advance reservation with a charge, people come.) I encourage all of you to do this sort of thing with all your local service groups: Rotary, Lyons, Elks, political organizations, PTAs, volunteer groups, etc. I believe you know more about this than most celebrities from what you have learned via the internet, etc. If you fear public speaking yourself, help someone else who can with the info., and GO FOR IT! Over at Port Townsend on Bainbridge Island, WA., there was a free meeting announced last month and 1500 people showed up! Don't give all of your effort toward urging celebrities. I suppose some people are so cock-eyed over them, they'll believe their pronouncements before some local person. But, if this great granny can do it, so can you!

-- Holly Allen (Holly3325@juno.com), December 02, 1998.

I agree with both of you, Terri and Diane, on some points. Terri's right about entertainers only caring as far as their managers/investers and their popularity will allow, and Diane's right that we should explore/use any avenues to get the word out loud.

One thing about Oprah is that she's at the top now, she doesn't have to worry about "making it" to the top and listen to her agents as much as when she started out. She can afford to be her real self more now, hence why Diane sees she changed. And even though her show is viewed as entertainment rather than the more serious 60 minutes types, she still can at least reach a huge audience and get them thinking and plant the seed, "wake them up" so they pay close attention to Y2K related news, articles etc. So instead of switching the channel to a sitcom when 60 minutes reports on y2k, they'll pay attention.

I like your realism Terri, but I like Diane's energy and idealism too, you both would make great venture partners ;)

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), December 02, 1998.

Diane . . . don't forget to contact Barney and the Telly Tubbies so that they can warn the toddlers. They too have a LARGE audience. And I'm sure their credibility is at least as respected as the Spice Girls.

By the way, I'm certain that the mega $$$$ that kids dish out for Spice Girl CD's and concert tickets have absolutely nothing to do with portraying an IMAGE of caring deeply for children even while wearing lingerie and selling sex to them. In fact, I can't agree more, they are the perfect Y2K spokeswomen. I can hear them in concert now . . .

"We'd like to remind you to tell your parents to get ready for Y2K by buying food, water, medical supplies and our newly released Spice Girls CD entitled 'Y2K Live'. And don't forget to buy lots of batteries for your CD player so you can hear us!"

of course, the Telly Tubbies would say, "Inky Winky say Y2K is stinky, he he he he he he".

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), December 02, 1998.

Holly,

I am preparing the back-up information to put myself "out there" in my own community. I am also looking for a Y2K oriented job in Silicon Valley.

Meanwhile, I am "completely" convinced that moving the newsmedia is the best focus for my online time, in order to start a Y2K "mass" get prepared snowball rolling. Oprah is the only "star" I am focusing my time on right now. With her, all else starts rolling. I focus on what, in my opinion, has the greatest potential impact for the largest number of people to ultimately "get it." It's a marketing thing.

Other people can carry on with the "niche" marketing aspects of luminary or news media motivation from their area of expertise or contacts. I simply float the idea to those who may wish to take up their own Y2K banner in creative ways.

David, suggest you quit watching cartoons and e-mail an investigative journalist of your choice. Better potential Y2K awareness impact.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 03, 1998.