From: year2000-discuss@year2000.com
Subject: Media Awareness and Action
Monday was the International Emmy Awards Gala, as well as the World
Television Summit in New York. That brought together all the heads of
international networks, and top producers of TV programs. Some of us had
the rare opportunity to meet and quietly discuss Year 2000, its issues
and programming action. This feedback may answer many of your postings:
The message is being heard in the Mass Media but.....
The situation is that faced with conflicting advice from "Computer
Experts", there is absolute confusion. For every "there is a major
problem", that gets through, there exists a hundred "It's all Hype",
from fully qualified experienced IT professionals. The ranks of the IT
profession are far from unanimous that a problem exists. Some are very
vocal that this is hype backed by vendors. Your enemies are in your own
ranks not the media!!
The flagrant abusive nature of some emails sent from concerned
programmers is not helping. "Why don't you wake up you stupid useless
know-nothings in the media, and tell the people the truth." STOP BEING
ABUSIVE - IT MAKES YOU LOOK STUPID AND EXTREMIST WHACKOS!!!
Computer companies are claiming everything from Information Warfare to
"Who is bankrolling him to make these statements" in lobbying the news
directors. Example from the meetings on Monday: "Give me figures, Alan"
"Well Gartner made a guess at $360 Billion" " Hold on son! Isn't it
true, or so I am told, the author of that report is now a highly paid
salesman for one of the vendors." Every quantitive statement has been
countered by special interest groups playing for time.
Huge pressures are at play to wait till the Big Boys (you know who they
are) get their acts together and limit their liability. The lone voice
from "Concerned of Tulsa" is lost in this professionally orchestrated
symphony.
In the bid to accurately portray the situation, we need people in the
field to come up with real numbers. Unfortunately the corporate lawyers
will never agree to release them. The number of IT people who have been
ordered not to speak to the media is amazing.
"Something is going horribly wrong" IS filtering through.Overall there
is a growing awareness that there is something not right, that people
are lying and hiding facts. This was not in evidence earlier this year,
and to get these Media Barons to even sit down and discuss the issue, is
a step forward.
You are not alone in your quest to get the message out to the public.
Let not this concern take away the effort needed to correct the
problems.
And I want an Emmy for "Countdown 2000", so rest assured I will be
lobbying! |
