Having gotten so sick of the storm or hurricane analogy, I decided to screw around with a web page about it. I haven't linked it to my modest home page that gets a few hundred hits a month (ummm...actually it's my..ummm... dog's web page..lol), but I may. If it gets a couple of dog people's attention, it will have been worth it.

If anyone looks at it, I would appreciate any suggestions/critcism you have to offer, especially on the links page. The intention is not to provide hundreds of links, just enough to get someone started. I'm sure I missed some obvious ones, and I need some more optimistic cites (are you there Maria?). The intention is to provide both GI and DGI sites - I feel strongly about making up your own mind about y2k based on all available information.

It's still in somewhat of a draft form. If most people think it's a stupid idea, I probably won't waste any more of my time on it. I realize the world doesn't exactly need another lame y2k page...lol

http://www.mindspring.com/~ready_for_y2k/

-- Online2Much (ready_for_y2k@mindspring.com), March 11, 1999

Answers

Well, the fundamental problem is that preparing for a hurricane (like the one your photos depict) is a heck of a lot different than preparing for a winter storm. Even in blizzard conditions, the electricity often stays on, and our houses remain warm. Now--if the government were saying "prepare for a winter ice storm," (extended power outages for days and sometimes weeks. . ) your page would have even more impact. So. . get those folks from Canada so submit some photos of folks in shelters and you'll really have soup. Sorry you had to witness that. I thank God I've never had to go through anything similar.

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), March 11, 1999.

O2M - The reason I too am very annoyed with the storm/hurricane/tornado/earthquake analogy, is that I think it confuses people about the nature of the problems. Those types of natural disasters don't wipe out underground natural gas delivery or retirement accounts (the difference being, for instance, not to rely on a natural gas generator). On the other hand, I don't see Y2K toppling or flooding houses (stockpiles will be safe and dry if Y2K hits). Tales from the Montreal ice storm may be more on point. I agree that people need to understand that the event could be very serious, not just the storm-related excuse to putter comfortably around home for a few days. Can't imagine too many web sites on that point. Enjoyed the pictures of your little ones, but shouldn't puss get top billing?

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), March 11, 1999.

FM and Brooks

Thanks - While the number one phrase about prepartion is "like for a winter storm", I've also seen/heard enough people add "or a hurricane" to make me bristle. Maybe I'm just more sensitive to it, since Andrew comes so easily to mind. I added a line that may help me get my point across better...

Y2K may not destroy our homes, but you raise the issue of living without services we now take for granted.

and Brooks - no...the dogs are DEFINATELY in charge ......

-- Online2Much (ready_for_y2k@mindspring.com), March 11, 1999.

As somebody succiently pointed out on another thread here, the looting after a huricane can be horrific. Mentioning that one should exercise their second amendment rights and what happens to people that can't or won't might be a nice add-on.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), March 11, 1999.

Almost as much as the planes not falling from the sky. You wouldn't by chance have any photos of a mid-air collision, would you? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 11, 1999.

Only people who have been through something like Andrew can appreciate the devastation and destruction it can bring. The hurricane analogy that FEMA aka FUBAR uses is not valid because the majority of people in the US are landlocked and really do not have a clue about Hurricanes and the awesome power they wield. Koskinen would pee in his pants if he had to ride out a storm like Andrew or Hugo. Also the majority of Americans do not have a clue about earthquakes and recovery from them. My question is what analogy would work? What analogies would make sense to the vast majority of Americans. I believe that an acceptable analogy for Y2K does not exsist.

-- analogist (DocMortar@think.com), March 11, 1999.

Show pictures of Russians recently lined up outside of banks and of Depression Era encampments and of the gas station lines in 1973. Show pictures of people washing clothing in little tubs in what's left of Yugoslavia. Just show pictures of people doing what we'll all be doing if y2k turns out to be a full stop.

-- Helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), March 11, 1999.