If I were to do it all over again...

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

I certainly wouldn't have warned people. Few, if anybody has listened to me, so my efforts are pretty much fruitless. The constant reminders of the "countdown" from co-workers and everybody else is getting out of hand. I've had to endure constant remarks over the last 2 years, not to mention being called a "prophet of doom and gloom" and a host of other names. It wasn't worth it. If I were to do this all over again, I certainly would keep my mouth shut.

If y2k turns out to be a non-event and some other crisis certainly comes up, I'll keep my mouth shut regardless of the situation. I don't care what it is. Too bad, but that's the point these pollies have gotten me to.

-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), December 13, 1999

Answers

I understand Larry, I'm with you on this. Same reaction from people here.

However, judging by the empty hotel rooms, cancelled concerts, empty cruise ships and caribbean destinations, I would say a lot more people are taking it seriously than admit it. I think a lot of people are ridiculing the idea and quietly prepping behind the scenes.

-- JoseMiami (caris@prodigy.net), December 13, 1999.


Wise advice. It has always been fruitless to argue with those who are in denial. It only ends up making your life more difficult. Now, of course, they know what you have and know where you live (possibly) and you have to contend with the safety and defense factors, should they realize that you were right after all.

It's too late for the pollies. Keep your mouth shut and you and your family will have a much better chance of staying alive.

-- (its@coming.soon), December 13, 1999.


Yep, I hear that. I'll usually mention it once, and only go details if folks ask specific questions. My family are the only ones I bring y2k up to frquently without prompting, but even with them I cushion it based on their reactions.

I feel a morale responsibility to warn, and it sounds like you did too for the most part.

Most people never mention it again to me, so they aren't on my list for getting any updates. I don't do this to be mean, because it hurts me more than them; they're having a blast without the burden of knowledge. As a matter of fact, there is only one person I know who is interested in updates (so my "list" is uh , short, her and family only).

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 13, 1999.


Correction: People are PLANNING to prep. One of these days real soon now. That's not the same as actually doing it.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), December 13, 1999.

Quite true Pealie. Look out the last week of this month. The after Christmas sales will be quite a phenom.

Me, I just send them an anony-mouse Y2K-CPR booklet. The rest is up to them.

Kook

-- Y2Kook (Y2Kook@usa.net), December 13, 1999.



Hang in there Larry, you did the right thing & will be able to live with yourself no matter what happens. You had there best interests in heart. At this point F^$k em they've been warned. To make yourself feel better when being ridiculed at work, just picture um eating grub worms out in their yards, that always helps me. Just a few more days til show time.

-- Matt (Justafewmore@tilmeltdown.om), December 13, 1999.

"Dumb-Ass" is epidemic.

The first experimental vaccine will be available after January 1.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.


There's no right answer. I got really pissed off when I sent my mother-in-law TimeBomb 2000 and she said that she already had it. It's like, "Thanks for not saying anything". I am always grateful for advice and would never be so arrogant as to laugh at someone who was just trying to help me.

I think the most amazing thing is how everyone disses you, when in fact programming is your field of expertise. These are the same people who ask you for help when their computer won't work. They recognize you as an expert, and yet they don't.

-- Amy Leone (leoneamy@aol.com), December 13, 1999.


I can totally relate. I stopped talking about it mid-summer, but people DO remember.

Have been getting alot of mocking, "OH NO, TIM...X DAYS LEFT 'TIL JAN 1...RUN, TIM, RUN!!!!

I just shrug off their futile attempts at imitating Mr. Bill...it's tempting to play Mr. Sluggo, however. If people weren't so sue-happy, I'd give it serious consideration ;-)

What amazes me is the people mocking me the hardest are the ones who do things that make their computers crash or hang. And, if first- level support can't fix it, yours truly gets to visit their workspace and listen to them to them say, "You don't know how GLAD I am to see you...I NEED MY COMPUTER...HOPE YOU CAN FIX IT...GAWD, I'M RUNNING BEHIND, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW BAD I NEED THIS FIXED."

Then, when you do fix it.."GAWD, YOU ARE SO AWESOME...I WISH I HAD HALF YOUR BRAINS...MAN, I OWE YA ONE BIGTIME!!!"

So, some days, I'm just a stupid geek who doesn't know what he's talking about, where other days I'm a godsend.

Any other techies out there experience this? Just curious...

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), December 13, 1999.


Shrug. Insurance companies won't cover you for Y2K, governments and businesses are prepping like there's no tomorrow. ConEd are trying to hire backup generators!

We've WON the prep debate. The only danger is in making predictions that either won't come true, or (more likely) which will be covered up so that even if you're right, your peers will never know it.

I know it's late, but I've switched to: "I dunno what will happen, but I'm watching what Big Business is doing, not what they are saying. You might want to think about that too."

-- Servant (public_service@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.



Larry, if its any consolation, several Biblical characters had to live with what you've experienced - from indifference to condescension to outright resentment and violence against them for their humble efforts to deter humanity on the wrong path....But, you would probably feel guilt if you saw them suffering (post-event) and you hadn't said anything..I think that in your attempts to warn them, you have acted very responsibly, and "delivered your soul"; their response is not your responsibilty.

-- Jay Urban (Jayho99@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

---I got a real easy answer for pollies, etc. I am NOT a y2k preparer, I'm a SURVIVALIST. Y2k is only one of any number of "things" that could befall anyone, and it makes sense to have "insurance" beyond a piece of paper in your file cabinet. However, do remember, "they won't prepare, but they will remember". I'd give those bozos at work a little printout that states something like

"Please, should y2k turn out to be a bother or major problem, refrain from trying to visit me. I have taken my preparations seriously, and any interference after the fact and I will be forced to conclude that there is a robbery in progress, as only INVITED friends and relatives are or will be welcome in my home. I have fire insurance, homeowners, car insurance, and I have chosen to go what appears to be a prudent extra step, and have provided my family with the sort of "living" insurance that will insure THEIR safety, unfortunately, NOT YOURS. Please remember this, as I WILL. Thank-you for your patience these past few years, as I have been trying to be a good friend during that time, much to your amusement, and at great personal effort on my part. I feel no worse about my previous statements about any perceived threats about y2k than I would be saying something like you need to buckle your seat belts while driving, for instance. This is, to me, just potentially a very complex and pervasive problem, and I have felt the need to prepare based on the evidence I have seen and been presented with. If nothing happens, then I am still alright, and so is my family, if something bad happens, then I am still alright, and so is my family. This is the "insurance" I have taken out of my adult sense of duty, loyalty, love and friendship, even to those who have jeered and ridiculed. The ridicule does no harm, lack of preparations could possibly be life threatening. I have made my decision, and you have made yours. Good luck with your gambling with your family's safety, I choose to NOT make that gamble."

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.


Concur, concur, CONCUR!

Yeah ... to the developers ... I agree. I am one also and get the same general reaction from people. I don't know what I'm talking about with this Y2K thing but OH do they NEED me when their computer goes bust and then I'm a bloody GENIUS!

I, like you, have stopped warning folks. They're too busy drinking brandy in the 1st class dining room. Never mind that the ship is listing 40 degrees down at the head ... just stay in here where it's warm and it will all go away!

I sincerely hope that things DON'T blow up. I'd really LIKE to believe that everything has been fixed but I CAN'T ... I've seen too much sloppy code in my 20 years developing software to be able to think that even a decent dent has been made in the problem, let alone a global fix.

At the very least, it is going to be a very interesting New Year!

Later folks!

-- Bruce (broeser@ccgnv.net), December 13, 1999.


Its@comingsoon and Zog --

I don't have to worry about people finding me. They know where I live right now, but they don't know where I'll be over the rollover. I'm involved with other GI's. I have a house and everything all set up with generators, propane tanks and so on. There are other GI's in the neighborhood and we're working together. We each had a job to do. My job was to iron out the food. I have cases of dehydrated food, freeze dried food, MRE'S, Rice, Beans, you name it. We have everything imaginable.

If we're wrong, then we're prepared for anything else that may happen in the future. Y2k isn't the only crisis we're facing. Just to name one, the very fact that Russia and China are meeting together is scaring the crap out of me. We'll eat some of the food, but this has been a wake up call regardless of the y2k outcome.

Jay --

Yes, I know.

  1. Ezekiel 3:17 "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me."
  2. Ezekiel 33:3 "If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people:"
  3. Paul in Acts 20:31 "Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
Tim--

It also amazes me that non-techies come to be with programming problems, yet they easily discount what I say about y2k. It's funny how they suddenly know so much more about programming than me isn't it? I was done with my fixes this January (testing too). I began my fixes early 1995.

-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), December 13, 1999.


Its@comingSoon and Zog --

I forgot to mention that when I'm asked where I'll be over the rollover, the "no problem" type people get upset when I don't tell them where I will be. I tell them, that "I will be someplace over the rollover and I'm not telling anybody where I'll be and that includes you." Boy, they hate this. I'm telling them indirectly that:



-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), December 13, 1999.


Larry, your own personal trials and tribulations...and the rendering you have made here is appreciated. IMHO, y2k-speak is all relative to perception and in your case, your perception has become your reality. One piece of advice, however. The closing of the Bible has some harsh words for those who bend biblical verse to their choosing or change meanings altogether. You know, the old standard fare about incurring the Lord's wrath.

Y2K may be but a blip on the screen, but may I suggest that as far as the Bible goes, you find another point of reference, just in case the Lord doesn't share your perception.

regards.

-- Bad Company (johnny@shootingstar.com), December 13, 1999.


Most people don't want to hear any bad news that could affect their future. Talk about the possibility of serious y2k problems, a stock market crash, or possible terriorist attack will cause people to move to the other side of the room. I have read some of the books about 1929, and the situation was similar. People who said the stock market was overvalued were ridiculed, like Ed Yardeni is today.

-- Danny (dcox@ix.netcom.com), December 13, 1999.

Bad Company

Evidently you haven't read the whole thread. I'm merely agreeing with Jay that there are characters in the Bible who have warn others. I'm not using the Bible as a "point of reference." Where do you see I've done this? Too many people discount interpretations, (even the simple ones) so I don't even bother bringing up the Bible anymore.

-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), December 13, 1999.


Same boat as the rest of you...been telling my Dad for over a year it may go bad. He thinks I'm paranoid. Let my cousin in on it...told her I was GIing in another state. She seemed interested and we talked for a couple of hours, then a couple of days later my Dad says he's "heard" I was going to the other state to become a "Y2K Survivalist". So you know how much of an invitation the cousin has now.

I'm here with a freind...She's GI'd over the last few months. She has been talking to her parents [in their 70's] Her dad suddenly GI'd a couple of weeks ago when Time magazine printed something about Y2K- no matter the daughter had been talking since last summer. He and wife are on Soc Security...they use half of what they get for her medication, so the money is tight. He was going to the store and buying a woodstove and what was needed to set it up...cost: $100. Instead, they got their money and lost $200 at the local casino.

Now, this freinds brother knows about Y2K...but his wife controls the money and he's not prepping. Guess who everyone is going to turn to when TSHTF???

Fact is, I don't have enough to save them all but I'm living in the basement of the older folks. Thinking of getting a tent and hitting the bush. Been there before and did quite well.

-- Satanta (TentLivingInD-D@y.com), December 13, 1999.


Santa

Yes, but somehow I think BadCompany feels we should help everybody judging by his remarks (using the Bible as a reference). I would imagine his remark pertains to my Noah's day comment, but I may not have realized somebody would be so stupid to think I would lend a helping hand out to pollies. I've been scoffed at all this time, yet the "no-problem" crowd expects us to feed them in the event it does get bad.

Well, I've got news for people like you BadCompany. You can eat your words. The Lord knows I can't feed other people. I don't need to interpret the Bible to figure this out.

-- Larry (cobol.programmer@usa.net), December 13, 1999.


Larry,
Amazing, isn't it? Mention ANY other belief structure, and it goes through unscathed and unmolested...mention the Bible, or Christianity, and the fur starts flying! It cracks me up! Well, dogs don't bark at dead things. Enjoyed your post, fella.

-- Jay Urban (Jayho99@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

Eat, Drink and be Merry.........What have you acutally lost? Water here! Water here! The water is free, the gas cost $5 so donation a gladly accepted....

-- big ears (zztop@epix.net), December 13, 1999.

Same here Larry, sending the best to you and yours!!

-- (karlacalif@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

Yep, Larry I am right there with ya. In fact got an email, (not a phone call) from a dear friend of over 12 yrs who informed me she cannot speak to me until after the end of the year, b/c on the TWO occasions I have spoken to her very gently abou Y2K I apparently have freaked her out to no end. She has ulcerative colitis and is experiencing a flare-up b/c of what *I* said. Her fiancee has ORDERED her not to talk to me. And good googly-woogly the stuff I LEFT OUT of our conversation! I guess I freaked her out when she said "Well, if the water isn't on, we'll just drive to Cedar Creek Lake and get some water there and boil it!" I laughed heartily at this. I asked her "Do you really think, if things are BAD enough that you are driving to a NASTY lake to get your water, that there won't be total chaos going on? Do you actually think you'll GET the 40-50 miles to the lake?" She sat in stunned silence. I *think* that was the statement that really got to her. She has ignored me for the past two wks then tonight the email saying she can't speak to me for a while. They are planning a LUSH, EXTRAVAGANT wedding in September, the holidays are coming up, her job is crazy and she just CAN'T BE BOTHERED with this "get some water and extra food" crap. I must admit, I was rather blown away at how uninformed and gullible my intelligent, educated friends are. Sheesh.

I have sent an email to all DGI friends I have ever mentioned this to (they number 6--only the closest) saying, in effect, forget everything I said. Write me off as a nut, I don't care. Nothing is going to happen. Sleep well!

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), December 13, 1999.


To the top, for Tim, my boss. Tim's mostly programming, so if it's a hardware problem that he can't solve, he hands it to me and then I get to listen to them, LOL. Keep in mind that if you're associated, you're also fair game for taunting. If the power stays on and there are brownouts, it's going to be a very busy year, no doubt.

-- Spirit (spirit@iserv.net), December 14, 1999.

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