Some posters have requested a thread to discuss Y2K "fears" (let's keep this distinct from issues of physical security, which will be given a separate thread tomorrow).

While, ultimately, all fears boil down to a fear of death, I'll try for a bit narrower focus here.

Y2K has undoubtedly exposed a core unpredictability about the status of our twentieth-century technical project worldwide that is, itself, profoundly and permanently unsettling.

This is why, IMO, most of us view preparation and increasing self-reliance as a permanent (and very positive) effect of our own "GI" education about Y2K. So, point one: regardless of short-term Y2K impacts, take the long-term position that you are going to gradually increase your ability to cope apart from the system.

With respect to Y2K (or life itself), TS can HTF in a moment (think: stroke or heart attack) in your life. By comparison, Y2K will unfold in slow motion (whether days, weeks or months), giving you adequate time to respond. I personally believe it is LESS likely than it was a year ago that anyone will be trapped, PROVIDING you move with all due speed if or when things deteriorate (I define due speed as "within a 72-hour period"). That is not a prophecy: I repeat, TS can HTF in a moment's time. However, "less likely" than a year ago ought to encourage you. Others could legitimately disagree with this, of course: make up your own mind.

Most of the regulars here can secure surprising amounts of assistance and help from other regulars in a true Y2K crisis by unmasking, establishing their bona fides and just plain asking for it. There are prep forum GIs across the country who can and will offer you help if you really need it. They will expect you in return to maturely offer your skills and energy as well: a fair exchange.

Finally, while I am an unabashed, fanatic Christian, this is not intended as a religious or Christian thread (as moderator, take that as fair warning about posting carefully and respectfully here). But it is scarcely profound to urge those of you with fears to dig deep and review your own core convictions about life and death, wherever that leads you. Y2K preparation has a spiritual dimension that, in the end, supersedes all physical preparations.

Let's help each other out here, folks, while being careful not to wield too heavy a religious or pop-psychology hand along the way!

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

Answers

Conniry's Wilderness Survival School had a three part real audio clip on the original workshop they did for the City of Poway. I cannot find it on the web anymore and that is such a shame.

Knowing that almost everyone can have the ability to survive by making tools out of commonly found things was sooooo calming to me. It did so much to quell my anxiety having the knowledge to know what to do and the basics of how to do it.

It is a shame that this audio clip appears no longer accessible on the web. Perhaps we can get Susan/her partner to participate in an AOL session. She also occassionaly does articles for Westergaard. Her website is http://members.home.net/shadow-scout/

City & Urban Disaster Preparedness and Y2K Survival Workshop http://members.home.net/shadow-scout/Classes/city_&_urban.htm

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), October 12, 1999.

BigDog:

Also, some of this fear may stem from the feeling of "losing control". I can certainly detect some of this in my life.

We are heading back out into the great unknown. For several decades our parents and grandparents, affected, I believe, by their experiences in WWII and the Korean War, have tried to help many of us, especially the baby boomers, see the world as a safer place than it actually is.

There are no guarantees.

When it comes down to basics, all that truly matters is that you and your loved ones/tribe/clan are reasonably warm, reasonably dry, have eaten recently, and have a good chance of that continuing into the future.

Again, as you said, reach out to others here. You may need to take someone in, you may need a shelter yourself. Act with dignity.

Fear is the mind-killer. Do not let it possess you. Instead, let it motivate you into action.

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), October 12, 1999.

Blessings on you, Big Dog, for introducing such a wonderful thread. If the sort of lovely responses I have had to my posts and queries, and the attitude of helpfulness generally evidenced here is any indication of what is to come from this, it should become a classic study in the good side of human nature.

One of the big fears which some harbor is the fear of being either all alone to face whatever comes knocking at one's door, or whatever harsh realities one must face. Another is being with the wrong persons if things go down, as often expressed here.

Another fear associated with this one, and often expressed here, is that of not knowing whether our own government, which one would ordinarily hope and expect would be their friend and ally for survival, could instead become the instrument of one's destruction.

If this topic you've introduced can alleviate any of this, then it will be a very great gift in relieving much stress and anxiety. May God bless you for instituting it.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), October 12, 1999.

Many "twelve step" programs deal with issues of lack of control over the behaviors of others and chaotic elements in one's life. The "alanon" program deals with the problems accruing to those who have developed and lived under the chaos of the prolonged alcoholism of others. As such, they have a lot of literature (with some spiritual bendt) that is oriented toward self healing for those who's world and cosmic view is reflective of that chaos and the resulting fears and manifestations of loss (or lack) of control.

-- anon (anon@anon.calm), October 12, 1999.

Myself, I'm not so much worried about death as I am about "Life" (to be understood in the Christian context). The risks of Y2K or whatever else that may come my way *may* or *may not* pose moral challenges, but I would like to meet them as a Christian (generally speaking) and as a Catholic (specifically speaking). I admit that I am horrified at the imagination of what kind of dark human landscape might emerge should the shit hit the fan. I am also horrified by how readily people often speak and write of their survival at any cost (to themselves and/or to others). The emphasis on material preparations far exceeds discussion on spiritual and moral preparations-- preparations which are more important (IMHO) for living out each day of our lives (Y2K or no Y2K). And I am horrified at myself for my own private me-first attitudes.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), October 13, 1999.

Stan -- It is next to impossible to discuss philosophical/spiritual issues publicly in a cultural as fragmented as ours is currently. This forum, for instance, has mapped out a "protected space" within which, when you think about it, people are CONTINUALLY helping and sharing with one another.

Sure, the subject is "material preparation" but the time and knowledge shared is in perfect harmony with all human aspirations for community.

I doubt you would disagree with this, but I feel there is no inherent disconnect between material and spiritual preparations. Both inform the other. Taking spiritual broadly for a moment, as signifying what people hold as their deepest convictions about life-death, I suspect most posters to this forum have been doing quite a lot of spiritual preparation.

Just not publicly.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), October 13, 1999.

In times of stress I often chant the first few lines of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If".

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too.

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master; If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools. ...

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" ...

If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everthing that's in it, And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son! (or Woman, my daughter).

My advice is to face your fears and name them. Keeping them tucked in a closet hidden, just makes them grow. If death is your fear, then ask yourself why you fear dying. What do you need to get done or experience in order to not resent dying.

Remember that sometimes change brings good things, even if you don't know what they are. What you focus on expands? So focusing on this amazing adventure in living you are about to embark on. Think of the explorers going into uncharted territory. Hope this helps.

-- Artful Dodger (ckabel@rust.net), October 13, 1999.

guess all the religious on this thread should have listened with their hearts to the words "fear not".

-- hurumph (indignant@the.ignorant), October 30, 2000.

Maybe you should look for the positive instead
of looking at the negative and missing the good
messages in this post.

There are no guarantees. When it comes down to basics, all that truly matters is that you and your loved ones/tribe/clan are reasonably warm, reasonably dry, have eaten recently, and have a good chance of that continuing into the future. Again, as you said, reach out to others here. You may need to take someone in, you may need a shelter yourself. Act with dignity. Fear is the mind-killer. Do not let it possess you. Instead, let it motivate you into action. -- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), October 12, 1999.

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), October 30, 2000.