Until the unavoidable noise level from Y2K project delays and the first whiffs of failures begin rising above the fog (July at the earliest? September? November?), we will pass through a "Y2K slow news" period.

Actually, it began immediately after the release of the Senate report: we're already deep into it.

It's also a "good news" period, the final one. The scare articles have been written, digested and discarded by the sheeple. The market can't quantify anything yet so it is nervously but doggedly pressing forward, everyone convinced they've got a plan for reaching the exits ahead of others. The programmers are optimistic.

"Doomsday has been avoided" is, a fitting slogan for this phase. As usual, whatever else you can say about him, De Jager has his finger on Y2K's marketing pulse.

In the absence of news, what to do?

... Complete your preparations.

... Don't try to get closure on Y2K because it's impossible.

... Take a deep breath and chill. Exercise humor wherever possible. Vacation.

Nothing fundamental has changed in the past 18 months to mitigate the systemic implications of Y2K. More is the pity. We're still headed over the falls. We just can't see whether the falls are 20 feet, 100 feet or 500 feet.

From August thru the end of the year and beyond, the news will be coming fast and furious. We'll be in full "react" mode. You won't be able to kick back then, so kick back now.

What does it mean for this ship of fools at Your-done-for? It means that the content level is BOUND to suffer for the next few months. Don't sweat it. Troll-swatting isn't my gig but we've got lots of skilled warriors. Channel-surf. Anyway, the best conversations still lie months ahead.

You see, what the DGIs don't understand is that most of us have already passed through TEOTWAWKI when we GI. Whether Y2K is a bump or a 10, we're living post-Y2K, post TEOTWAWKI, already.

We've been changed: we will never think about technology, community and family life, self-sufficiency and citizenship the way we did before. We don't know exactly how to go about building a more humane, heck, a more interesting culture post-Y2K, but we're looking forward to the chance to give it a shot. The best conversations of all on this forum will be > 2000.

We're just waiting for events to catch up. They will. Meanwhile, I'm having fun, don't know about you? It may not be PC to 'fess it. Sorry.

In fact, one of the big surprises up ahead might just be that when the sheeple (they are, you know, mainly folks just like us) wake up, they end up having fun too. Over all, hardware, software and wetware, strangeness will rule. Crisis and fun are not incompatible.

"Prepare for the extraordinary" (CNN article earlier this week)

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 18, 1999

Answers

What a load of pompous, self-important tripe. You and your brainwashed denizens of the apocalypse are not the least bit interested in news. You're only interest comes from smugly discounting any good news and madly embracing any bad.

If a friend of someone's cousin said she heard they were building concentration camps in California to hold GIs, this is believed. If the worlds foremost Y2K expert says he believes that the date change will be managed he is vilified. Indeed one of your colleagues took great pleasure in referring to him as "De Bugger". I have never read a larger steaming load of self-congratulatory poop in my life. You should be embarrassed.

-- Y2K Pro (2@641.com), March 18, 1999.

Woof. Woof.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 18, 1999.

"...not the least bit interested in news..."

I think the folks here are QUITE interested in news. Honest news. The people that frequent this forum do so because they feel that the New York Times, The Washinton Post and Dan Blather can't be counted on for honest news. Except for trolls, there is no other reason to be here. I see evidence of media lies and distortions in other areas, including lying-by-ommission on racial issues and misrepresenting news (from agencies I work with). Having seen past evidence of lies in the media, I want an alternate opinion. I do not entirely trust any source, since everyone (myself included) has an agenda.

Even with the news out of the mass-media, there are big contradictions if you have a good memory. Either a lot of people are really stupid (in media & goverment), or somebody is lying. Or both.

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous.com), March 18, 1999.

You've been here a while now Y2K Pro. I would think that even someone with your limited perception would notice the number of news articles posted here. I visit at least a dozen Y2K sites. Thanks to people like Diane, Kevin, pshannon and a host of others, that donate a considerable amount of their personal time, we get the news here before any other site. You may wish to rethink your statement Y2K Pro. Your IQ is showing. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 18, 1999.

This is a bit like being on combat patrol in the jungle. Ever walk point Y2KPRO? Ever wonder if your next step is onto a punji or a mine? BigDog has it right. The next few months will be slow - except for the occasional rifle crack in the distance. No need to get nervous though. Nothing out there but friendly villagers....

-- RD. ->H (drherr@erols.com), March 18, 1999.

Big Dog,

I agree with your assesment that we've entered a timezone where things will slow down. Spring is in the air, and when life feels fresh again, people won't be as interested in looking and thinking about horrible possibilities for the future. They'll be more interested in the Now. (although I must admit that LAST spring, I was pretty freaked out 'cause that's when I "Got It." I'm through that now)

Good advice, too, to enjoy while we can, I know I intend to. Next spring may look and feel quite different. The crocus's will probably be out this weekend. At least we can count on the same next year. Some things will remain constant.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I'm certain that this thing will shake out in a way that no-one has imagined.

Y2K "Pro" -

It's sad, but fairly obvious that you have no-one who loves you. You might consider learning how to love others, then maybe you won't be so bitter...

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), March 18, 1999.

Pro,

How much they paying you to fix them computers there wiz kid? Bet it ain't as much as the CEOs. I won't speak for anyone else, but I WANT to see the world crumble.

Picasso once said "every act of creation begins with an act of destruction". Smart guy.

-- @ (@@@.@), March 18, 1999.

" I won't speak for anyone else, but I WANT to see the world crumble. "

Don't worry my friend, you have lots and lots of colleagues on this forum who feel the same way. You're just the only one who has the courage to admit it publicly. Good for you, best to get it out in the open.

-- Y2K Pro (2@641.com), March 18, 1999.

Actually, Id welcome a slow time.

In fact, I feel like posting less and searching less because, well, like many of us, Im Y2K tired too. Yes, we will hear more good news. But the ever increasing yet isolated a-ok companies do not an industry or supply chain make whole. They do not fix the global problems.

People can fix some of the potential problems, in weird and wonderful ways. And thats NOT by cracking the code or the e-chips either.

Now is the time to work on your community building homework and related efforts.

Spring forward.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 18, 1999.

During slow news days, just do as some reporters do...make up your own news. Or you could spend a few minutes counting all the Fortune 1,000 companies that finished remediation in December, 1998...as promised. If you have lot's of time, you're better off counting the ones that didn't make it...

-- PNG (png@gol.com), March 18, 1999.

No, Mr. Pro, he said he wanted to see the world "mumble". Not crumble. "Mumble."

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 18, 1999.

SmartGuy isn't the only one. Pay closer attention and read between some of the lines. For myself, I'll say it loud and clear to anyone listening . . . I hope it totally crumbles into dust! With all the corruption in government, we need an absolutly fresh start with people who are earnest in their patriotism.

-- linda (smitmom@hotmail.com), March 18, 1999.

Mumble. MUMBLE!

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 18, 1999.

Big Dog,

Good post you old duffer.

Subsequent comments?---Yours?---Hilarious!

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 18, 1999.

On your feet citizens of America! WE NEED A REVOLUTION!!! We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control.. Tear down the Wall, Tear down the Wall!!

-- @ (@@@.@), March 19, 1999.

RD.. 5 th SF. Check six, my friend.

-- Lobo (Hiding@woods.com), March 19, 1999.

RD.. A86, A108 5thSF Check six, my friend.

-- Lobo (Hiding@woods.com), March 19, 1999.

RD.. A86, A108 FOB1 5thSF Check six, my friend.

-- Lobo (Hiding@woods.com), March 19, 1999.

You guys are wasting your time. Pro doesn't even know where it's six is.I'm an ex-squid and even we know that. BTW from Webster, PRO n. 1. A slang term for prostitute.

And now that all you ex green beanies are here, do you prefer .308 or .223 and why? Also what if any are your opinions of the FAL vs M1-A.

Lastly BIG DOG, I don't know how much more fun I can Stand!

-- nine (nine-fingers@hotmail.com), March 19, 1999.

Spring is in the air, and when life feels fresh again, people won't be as interested in looking and thinking about horrible possibilities for the future. They'll be more interested in the Now.

I agree with you pshannon. Many people are believing the 'bump in the road' propaganda that is being aggressively shoveled out right now in order to calm the herd. People are believing it because they want to. They would rather get back to Jerry Springer and the other important concerns of their lives than have to worry about a looming crisis. Thinking about the y2k crisis causes an uncomfortable cognitive dissonance considering the fact that they are unprepared, so they would rather latch on to the first excuse to stop thinking about it.

This lull may last a few months, or it may carry all the way to December 31. After watching the sorry spectacle in Washington and the First Felon's continued popularity, I never underestimate people's ability to avoid embracing uncomfortable truths. The wise, however, will continue preparing quietly.

-- Tom Knepper (thomas_knepper@intuit.com), March 19, 1999.

Lobo, 12th SF, USAR. Alas, out from jump injuries before tab time. Do you think I'll get to earn it by "life experience" post-Y2K? Take care.

-- Franklin Journier (ready4y2k@yahoo.com), March 19, 1999.

BigDog you have hit the nail on the head. Now could you do the same with Y2K Pro. Pro Smo my dog can read Cobol.

(______) ( )( ) (~~)

-- Tman (Tman@IBAgeek.com), March 19, 1999.