Re: Y2K:people are the problem
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Valerie A. Galton) --- You wrote: Did you know that in the year 1000 there was wide-spread famine? Why? Not because a new millennium had dawned, but because in 999 many people did not plant crops because they believed it was futile since the world was going to end at the stroke of midnight on December 31. --- end of quote --- In fact a new millenium had not dawned by then, unless you believe that there are 999 years in a millenium. In fact, the timings of the potential Y2K bug(s) and the onset of the next millenium are separated by one full year. I have come to the conclusion that this is being ignored in order to have two major celebrations, one for when the year numbers change from the 19-- to 20--, and the other for the dawn of the new millenium which occurs on January 1 2001! Val
Re: Y2K:people are the problem
This message is from: Steve McIlree [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brian-- Monday, Monday, November 09, 1998, you wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (BRIAN C JACOBSEN) Thanks to all the computer people for your input on the Y2K problem. I wonder, though, if your expertise in your respective areas of computers is blinding you to the real problem. This is a people problem, not a computer problem. You have all the faith in the world in computers because you know they only do what they are programmed to do, and they rarely ever mess up. You are exactly right. But the real problem here is with people. I have to agree with you that this is a people problem. However, I believe that the problem lies with people getting a thrill out of preparing for a disaster. There could be a real problem with the economy if enough people believed that the banks were going to collapse that there was a run of people trying to move their investments to gold or silver. That would be a people problem as are most self-fulfilling prophecies. Did you know that in the year 1000 there was wide-spread famine? Why? Not because a new millennium had dawned, but because in 999 many people did not plant crops because they believed it was futile since the world was going to end at the stroke of midnight on December 31. Also, the years following were boom times for lawyers, as people tried to recover the goods and properties that they had signed over to the church in anticipation of the Apocalypse. Now, I'd like to remind everyone that the topic of this list is discussion of Norwegian Fjord horses. If anyone would like to discuss Y2k scenarios further, I recommend you go to www.liszt.com, do a search on Y2K and check out the many mailing lists which are devoted to *that* subject. If you would like to see a balanced discussion of the problem, I would recommend www.zdnet.com/zdy2k/. -- Steve McIlree Cynthia Madden -- Pferd, Keyah, Skipper, Tank -- Omaha, Nebraska, USA Princes learn no art truly but the art of horsemanship. The reason is the brave beast is no flatterer. --Ben Jonson(1572-1637)
Y2K:people are the problem
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (BRIAN C JACOBSEN) Thanks to all the computer people for your input on the Y2K problem. I wonder, though, if your expertise in your respective areas of computers is blinding you to the real problem. This is a people problem, not a computer problem. You have all the faith in the world in computers because you know they only do what they are programmed to do, and they rarely ever mess up. You are exactly right. But the real problem here is with people. Apathy because the economy and life in general here in the US is so good will lead to widespread inactivity and unpreparedness. Insecurity on the part of business owners/leaders whose companies are unprepared will tempt them to be deceptive about how ready they really are and lull people into a false sense of security. The government's unresponsiveness to the people and lack of any competition like private business have will result will result in a slow and generally inadequate response. The easy life in this country has dulled us, and the American spirit is not as strong as it used to be. This country at one time could have easily mobilized to conquer a problem like this, but now we are a country of a thousand different interests with everyone looking out for themselves and leaders who can't agree on anything. Am I really the pessimist I just sounded like? No, but I am a realist. And I am not so sure we will not have any trouble. Brian Jacobsen, DVM ___ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
