The Millenium Bug

The End is Nigh!

The year-2000 problem is a large one and a problem with potentially far-reaching consequences. The Gartner Quadrant predicts that the Y2K problem will require six billion dollars to correct. And that doesn't include taxes, tips, or dealer fees. Of course, this estimate could be off by quite a bit: It might have been calculated on a Pentium.

Zack Urlocker (Wednesday, September 01, 1999)

A perfect analogy of the Year 2000 situation today

Suppose I gave you a shoebox full of marbles, a can of polish and a little rag and told you, "I need for you to polish these marbles and you have to be done by next Friday." Now, you're faced with a very simple task ... Now let's change one small thing.

Suppose I took you to the Grand Canyon and it was filled to the brim with marbles and I told you, "I need for you to polish these marbles and you have to be done by next Friday."

Your task has not changed - it is still simple and easy to understand ... however, there is no hope of completing the job on time because there is so much of it. This is a perfect analogy of the Year 2000 situation today.

Jim Lord 24 August 1998

Y2K

~ Y2K Cartoons
~ Y2K Jokes
~ Y2K Images
~ Y2K Quotations
~ Y2K Products
~ Y2K - The Truth

As the millennium approaches, I imagine we will see the advent of more terrifying cabals and doomsday prophesies emerging — mainly from those who stand to profit monetarily — and the scarier the scenario, the more people will be willing to accept it. The Y2k problem could be one that is destined to be self-fulfilling — that is, its belief will effect the results already foretold.

There could be a run on banks (some banks are already preparing for this); the Stock Market could crash; the IRS, by non-compliance to fix their Y2k problem, could be out of commission (I don’t see the problem there); Computer programmers may flock to secluded hideaways (no problem again). A whole host of real problems may be created by something that wouldn’t have been much of a problem if it weren’t for our increasing reliance on the technology itself.

This suggests the real Y2k problem is a people problem — people who misunderstand the technology, have total reliance on this technology, and are willing to embrace the idea of societal collapse due to technological failure. With hysteria as the fuel of the masses, anything could happen. If we continue to welcome radio talk show paroxysms, and ranting internet madness, then we deserve the frightful outcomes that these questionable venues are in business to promote. Remember, there is no specific media conspiracy involved here, it is simply what many people want to hear and believe. Mundus vult decipi — "the world wants to be deceived".

Michael Theroux (1998).

Quotes from managers

"What I need is a list of specific unknown problems we will encounter."

"How long is this Beta guy going to keep testing our stuff?"

"This project is so important, we can't let things that are more important interfere with it."

"Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."

"No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now, go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you know when it's time to tell them."

1998

Y2K: The Lord's Perspective

I've shared much about the need for you to be spiritually prepared, and now I speak to you of the physical and what you must do to prepare, and prepare now. In the advent of a major calamity--for it will come soon--you must be prepared. You must have your survival food prepared. You must have survival water, and even possibly a generator, as you may be without electricity for some time.

I'm not telling you these things to frighten you or cause you to worry or be fearful. I'm simply sharing a glimpse of the future with you--the possibility of a major worldwide calamity as a result of the Y2K bug, that you may be prepared. I care for you and want to give you as much warning about the future as I can. So I say unto you: Be prepared!

Anon. March 1999

Y2K

~ Y2K Cartoons
~ Y2K Jokes
~ Y2K Images
~ Y2K Quotations
~ Y2K Products
~ Y2K - The Truth