Are We, as fish, in a tank? Are we another human response experiment?

-- Water Bottles up the Gallu (Fishinatank@snared.com), December 13, 1999

Answers

Greetings from Joplin, Missouri ... I just saw your posting when I logged in late this evening, in a Holiday Inn, while driving cross- country with my wife, from NYC to New Mexico as part of an end-of-the- year plan to consolidate as much of the family as possible before the end of the year.

Re your question: this is like asking a parent what his/her purpose was in having a child? Yes, I gave birth to this forum, some 24 months ago, but it has now grown far beyond whatever I could have imagined on my own -- just as most parents will tell you that their children have grown into something far behond what they could have imagined. Parents are generally proud of their children; I'm immensely proud of this forum and what it has managed to do on its own. It has temper tantrums from time to time, it behaves childishly and foolishly from time to time, but it also amazes me with its creativity, inventiveness, and deep sense of concern for the human spirit and for all who visit here.

If there are "fish" in a "tank," I think we're all in it together. You, me, every one of the forum participants, and as many others as possible. Yeah, there is obviously some self-awareness here, as opposed to the oblivious nature of most of the DGI members of the human race -- but that self-awareness doesn't really allow us to crawl outside the fish tank and escape its fate.

Ed

-- Ed Yourdon (ed@yourdon.com), December 13, 1999.

This is PROFOUND!!! It should be posted in the "Zen and Y2K" thread below!!!!

Thank you for sharing with the group.

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), December 13, 1999.

Cut to the Chase, King, you have once before, invited me for Mud-Wressling! You have offered me comfort, when no other human did. I Thank you, for that.

-- Water Bottles up the Gallu (Fishtank@snared.com), December 13, 1999.

Maybe some of you will get a kick out of this old thread. This is back when I was new to the forum. The days when I was fighting with TROLLS, and trying to "convert" the POLLYS (DGI). It's kinda long, but has some cool answers from some of the old regulars. <:)=

*** HELP *** - What is the mission of this forum?

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.

beep beep we have met our leader beep beep he is the best beep beep!

-- den survivalist (LOL@Ed.IS.THE.BEST), December 13, 1999.

Ed,

You may remember me from our conversations in Pheonix, and the last time you were in Calgary (in the foyer). If so, Hi. Maybe dinner next time ?

I am also in a relatively safe space tying up loose ends for any possible repercussions from the rollover and thereafter. I will also be watching the rollover from 18 hours out as I am very curious to see what midnight 1999/12/31 problems happen. My larger concern is the first 6 month of 2000 as we see the economic repercussions, whatever they may be. Amazing to be in such a up marke these days. Anyway the next few months should prove interesting news !

Now, back to the end game.

-- This Time Anonymous (uj615@freenet.victoria.bc.ca), December 13, 1999.

Glub, glub...

-- flora (***@__._), December 13, 1999.

Ed,

I guess the plan is for us NOT to be able to escape--but to upscale in awareness. Not MY plan, mind you, but I have heard from the grapevine that such is in the cards (or whatever). Great stress produces diamonds and other interesting surprises.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

Ed,

Holiday Inn!!!

If you would just say something, my guess you would never have to stay in another motel.

Thankful GI's in almost every city along the way.

But would I have let you sleep, or pestered you well into the night with questions?......hmmmmm.

Maybe Holiday Inn is not such a bad idea.

-- (Southern Missourah)LM (latemarch@usa.net), December 13, 1999.

Ed,

Could you please write a Road Warrior Journal article on trip? Driving across the country sounds like paradise to me write now.

I'd love to hear (read) your thoughts not only of the journey but of leaving New York which I would gather to be your last time before rollover.

Let us know if you do write one.

LEAVING MONTANA is a classic.

-- Norm (Prez22@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

Yes, I do have an education above 2nd or 3rd grade level.

"Could you please write a Road Warrior Journal article on trip? Driving across the country sounds like paradise to me write now."

Should have read:

Could you please write a Road Warrior Journal article on YOUR trip? Driving across the country sounds like paradise to me RIGHT now.

-- Norm (Prez22@aol.com), December 13, 1999.

Ed-

First, thank you for all the work you've done. I know that you have endured enourmous criticism, but there are many of us that really appreciate the work you've done. Thanks for everything.

Second, since you bring up family, do you have any super DGI's in your family, and if so, what do you tell them if anything?

-- (cavscout@fix.net), December 13, 1999.

Don't overfeed the fishes; they can consume much more than they're able; too much and --oops-- they'll float upside down in the cyberaquarium.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), December 14, 1999.

Ed:

As a father, I know of how you speak. AS a follower of this thread... I say a mighty..."thank you"!!! My grandmother...85 years old read your latest book and decided to make some preparations despite my mother and aunt's diatribe...she remembers the depression. Anyway, I don't know you from Adam, but feel a kinship beyond understanding. You and yours are welcome at my table anytime.

Shepherd

-- shepherd (shepherd@sierratel.com), December 14, 1999.

The Road Warrior journals are classic. Too bad there are no "Do-Overs" on this Y2K debacle.

Is that fish in a tank or frogs in a boiling pot---or frogs in a blender?

Welcome back to home and hearth, Ed. And to your place in our hearts.

Hallyx

Travel light in life; take only what you need: A loving family, good friends, simple pleasures, someone to love - and someone to love you, enough to wear, enough to eat and a little more than enough to drink - for thirst is a dangerous thing.

-- (Hallyx@aol.com), December 14, 1999.

Depends on the fish tank "Water Bottles." At our favorite Chinese restaurant there's a large fish tank with only one big fish. The owner puts in 12 small goldfish and they are happy as a fish in the sea. The goldfish have no control over their destiny and are gobbled up one by one by the big fish. And that's the way life is, and that's usually how human response experiments go. Only the biggest and baddest survive.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), December 14, 1999.