Direct quote from Thomas Barnett, Director, Year 2000 International Security Dimensions Project, US Naval War College.

-- thinkIcan (thinkIcan@make.it), June 11, 1999

Answers

Has a Troll like c4i done irreprutuable damage to a forum such as this?

-- thinkIcan (thinkIcan@make.it), June 11, 1999.

Don't worry, this forum is already compliant. That is, we're beyond destruction, somewhere on the other side of XFiles territory. Seriously, this is the INTERNET. One long series of real posts, junk, spoofs and hacking. Nothing new, whatsoever.

"It's Y2K, stupid." The computers don't care about TB2K. Nor, in the best sense (maybe some will understand) do I or should you. Out of come some friendships, including real-world, and some collaboration which is great.

Otherwise, it's just a forum.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), June 11, 1999.

Maybe to some lurkers who now question the forum's "mental stability". As far as I'm concerned I'll still be coming here to "glean" information. Along with the GNIABFI, Deja.com, the Y2K Debunker site, and the other various BB's and Chat rooms. I won't be sent into apathy/lethargy just because someone made a joke at my expense. It's an old cliche but Noah went through alot of this crap too. If nothing happens, I'll be happy knowing I was prepared to live a life that is humble and closer to the Tao. I doubt that anyone here who is preparing is going to go home crying because the big bad Pollys were picking on them at the Yourdonite playground. Maybe we'll get EVEN MORE ridiculed in the months to come...

But is that ridicule enough to wager the lives of family and loved ones on? I think not. Let's put on our best English face and get over this trolling with quiet dignity and pride.

-- (oldyeller@sanfran.com), June 11, 1999.

Don't forget turf war growling, other motives for discounting.
Doesn't have to be "all or nothing."
Even various branches of the military have been known to be competitive and get their turf danders bristling.

Just prepare! We can judge the look-ahead contestant winners after the fact, i.e. around November 2000.
If the Net is still down, well, that will be reflected in the score ;^)

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 11, 1999.

thinkICan

Listen to the BigDog and properly identify this forum. I, like most of the visitors to TB2K am spending someone else's money to induldge myself. The last time I checked, my corporate duties did not include participating in discussion forums on company time. However, I find myself drawn here for the following reasons:

* This is the absolute best source of information regarding most things Y2K.

* I suspect, behind the cute email handles, are valid scholars and professionals on both sides of the issue.

* A vast collection of humorous banter to help excape from the mundane.

I am often tempted to post just to sit back and watch the reactions. Very few postings on any subject go quietly here and there in lies the personality of this forum. What could possibly hurt or ruin what is happening here? Relax and enjoy!!!

-- Iben (lurking@work.sum), June 11, 1999.

Anybody confirm Thomas Barnett ACTUALLY sent that post?

Diane? You're good at that sort of thing...

Anita Evangelista

-- Anita Evangelista (ale@townsqr.com), June 11, 1999.

Ditto Ben, Oops, now everyone knows.......

-- MidwestMike_ (midwestmike_@hotmail.com), June 11, 1999.

Anita,

I suspect Thomas Barnett is who he says he is. Also suspect c4i is more than a common "troll." Something "strange" this way comes.

Still curiouser and curiouser.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 11, 1999.

Whatever c4i's agenda was/is, a lot of people took the bait. Why? Maybe because he pushed every TEOTWAWKI hot button, couching it in authentic-sounding military speak. Lets list 'em: Clinton/Gore, massive power outages, cities in flames, government seizure of private property, martial law, famine/disease, and finally, nukes. Did he miss any?

He got away with it by sounding dispassionate and oh-so-military, unlike, say, the "BILLIONS WILL DIE!!!" troll who pops up every so often.

Just my 2 cents.

-- Thinman (thinman38@hotmail.com), June 11, 1999.

Thomas Barnett has me deeply puzzled. He's got all the facts, and is still a 1? Even CPR is more of a pessimist. When he gave his personal assessment on the original NWC thread, the meaning of cognitive dissonance became much clearer to me................

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), June 11, 1999.

Lisa,

Do you have a link for that thread?

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 11, 1999.

Yes, ma'am, sure do.

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), June 11, 1999.

Try again: yes, ma'am, sure do.

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), June 11, 1999.

Thanks!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 11, 1999.

Big Dog, I hate to brag on you, 'cause it will go to your head, and you won't ever want to get off the porch again. But I loved your reply. Yes!! It's Y2K-- it's a forum-- it's an exchange of ideas that are interesting and sometimes volatile. What more could you want?? "We're beyond destruction..." Exactly!

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), June 11, 1999.