My concern is that self-sufficiency is becoming too closely and explicitly linked to y2k. It is a worthwhile goal to strive for regardless of y2k. If y2k doesn't come down hard, all us y2k preppers will be relieved I'm sure (not eaten by cannibal neighbors, starving, prostituting our daughters, etc.) which is good, but we will be regarded as absolute nuts by the 98% DGI's. Eventually something real will come along (Aesop has researched this question exhaustively) and take the whole thing down. We should develop reasons to advocate and pursue self-sufficiency for its own sake.

-RC

-- Runway Cat (Runway_Cat@hotmail.com), January 12, 1999

Answers

Yes, exactly, Cat (hmmm, cats and dogs). Crisis focuses the mind. 90% of Y2K preppers will drop away, but that's ok. There is a residue/remnant that has been permanently changed and it is my opinion that an "intentional technology" movement will arise from Y2K (you know, choosing instead of reacting). And not necessarily identical with though overlapping with the "renewables" folks.

The biggest lesson of Y2K (duh) is the fragility of the infrastructure, period.

Separate comment: if Y2K < 7, the Y2K prep industry will have a very slow 2000-2003!

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), January 12, 1999.

RC, in theory you are quite correct, but in practice ... I'll bet that if Y2K fizzles, even a lot of us folks that now have a much better understanding of how fragile our world really is will still go back to our old, pre-Y2K ways. Just like back in the 1970s with the gas crisis, and everyone saying how crazy it is to be so dependent on foreign oil, and how we should never again allow ourselves to be so dependent on critical supplies outside of the U.S. Yeah, right....

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), January 12, 1999.

I agree Cat. There is no harm in becoming as self-sufficient as possible, but plenty of risk in not doing so - regardless of Y2K. We live in interesting times. Self sufficiency should be taught in schools.

DOG: The biggest lesson of Y2K is the fragility of us, as a result of our previously unquestioned confidance on this fragile infrastructure.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), January 12, 1999.

Ouch, true, it's us that be fragile. And I should also have said:

If Y2K > 7, the Y2K Prep industry will ALSO have a slow 2000-2003.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), January 12, 1999.

Runway,

Just tell people that you've read material from the American Red Cross and the Fed. Emergency Management Agency saying to always be prepared. Tell them you never know when an ice storm could come along.

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), January 12, 1999.

GEEZ - Kevin, how'd you know ? I'm not kidding, just what you wrote is EXACTLY what I do with my dgi neighbors.

-- Runway Cat (Runway_Cat@hotmail.com), January 12, 1999.

Kind of a 'boy who yelled wolf' scenario? In all truth, I prefer to be as little dependant on others as I can, keeping in mind that even that places me at the end of a chain of supply. Guess it is just the country boy in me coming out - get locked in for two or three weeks by a snowstorm, and no power for three or four days in the middle of it, and you get pretty prepared all the time.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), January 12, 1999.

I'd be interested in learning what percentage of people in the "previously" hit areas of the hurricane coasts or Quebec or California is prepared RIGHT NOW for a repetition of events.

2000 cents says less than 10%. Any takers?

Hallyx

"It does not do to leave a dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him."---J R R Tolkein

Hallyx

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), January 12, 1999.

Your right Runaway Cat. I plan to continue my survival plans regardless if Y2K pans out or not. I live in earthquake country. Anyone here every been to the earthquake website? They are happening from one endo fo the California border to the other, and the experts say it's just a matter of time for the BIG ONE. I survived the Loma Prieta earthquake, and let me tell you, it was pretty scary. I'd rather be prepared for the unexpected than be surprised and found wanting.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 12, 1999.

"It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope." J R R Tolkien

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), January 12, 1999.

RC, If y2k don't get us, what about bioterror or nucular terrorism that could strike any region of the United States, any time. January 1999 Reader's Digest, page 84 has an artical about how Anthrax, Botulinum, Bubonic Plague, Ebola, Marburg, Smallpox could be deployed in the States by terrorists with millions of deaths.

Yes, self-suffciency should become a way of life for anybody concerned about their future. There is the potential in this age we now live in for the world as we know it now to drastically change at a moments notice. We need to be responsable for our own well-being as much as possable. Prepare, hope for the best, expect the worst.

-- TJ (trickjames@hotmail.com), January 12, 1999.

Hallyx, From near the Northridge quake-- definitely less than 10%.

-- Maria (encelia@mailexcite.com), January 13, 1999.