Rarebird,
EVERYONE's ideas are plausible.
Their belief in total chaos resulting from Y2K disruptions can be no more substantiated than those who believe that enough has already been done to prevent a total breakdown of IT systems.
Again, Y2K has been on the front-burner of corporate IT managers in the US for at least two years now. It is not a surprise to any of them. Thus, if a disruption occurs, they should be able to debug their systesms before too much damage occurs.
I say this with fully understanding that ALL SYSTEMS are inherently "buggy". Considering that so many new IT systems have been installed by almost every major industry, and almost all have endured some form of "bug" during their optimalization, the world has maintained some amazing equilibrium.
Now, I'll tell you what. If Y2K were just coming on the radar screen this year, I would be afraid. In fact, Very Afraid. But I've following the issue for 3 years+, like many others on this thread, and my gut feeling is that we won't see the US economic system collapse as a result.
Now folks say having a gut feeling itsn't good enough. But I'm stating that NO ONE, but NO ONE, has any ability to take the facts available and create an economic model that mirrors probability. I can't prove nothing serious will happen, just like they can't prove its the end of civilization.
If I have any belief at all, I have a belief that people, once they taken the time to rationally ponder a situation, can overcome incredible obstacles and restore their previous world. We see it when people are pounded by massive earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods. People can pull together given a reasonable sense of hope or community determination to not let the world fall into chaos.
People like Ken and bearcub can only find comfort for themselves if they are able to create the same despair and panic in others, that they feel within themselves.
And Geezus.. rarebird.. sure it is better to be safe than sorry. Disaster can strike ANYONE in this nation at anytime. If we all spent every waking moment of our lives worrying about all the things that can go wrong, we'd never have the time to make anything right.
Why can't we all just prepare as best we can without completely disrupting our lives, and deal with the problem when, and if, it occurs?? What so wrong about being rational about Y2K fears and not letting them consume us to the extent that we become irrational fear-mongers who others avoid as wackos??
People can use Y2K to teach preparation techniques that apply to ALL TYPES OF EMERGENGIES, not just Y2K. And this country will be better off for it.
And you know my feelings about gold. If you don't have physical possession of it, it's no better than a paper dollar or a stock certificate. The only thing that gives it worth is the legal systems that back the IOU. |
