Y2K – What Might Have Been

 

A shadow of time will pass over the international dateline in  a year and a few months.

 

Once it hits New Zealand, the western world may become silent. The year 2000 may begin with a whimper and the computer world that has metasized throughout our lives since the 50’s will come to a close.

Perhaps as soon as  dusk of the last day of the 20th century, many of the creations of this last 100 years will be rendered useless. Transmission from Europe and the UK may be muted.

 

Y2K means that computers will not be able to move beyond 99’, because  00’ will send a signal to numerous machines that it is time to stop.

 

Technology has given rise to efficiency  and leisure time, but the down side is that now millions if not billions of people have short attention spans and short tempers. Mass communications impeded, spurs confusion and  chaos. Production stalled gives rise to economic depression. Transportation stopped brings shortages.

 

That which giveth can be taken away.

 

Millions with time on their hands and  cold weather to endure, harbor resentment. Resentment breeds discontent and anger gives rise to anarchy. Roving gangs of thugs  could attack the vulnerable. Troops are called out to protect the innocent. Metropolitan America may stumble as citizens flee to places like Iowa.

 

 

Gasoline, firewood,  preserved food, contaminate free drink, flashlights and  candles could be sold at a premium. Supermarkets may have to close. Some dwellers may have to seek warmer surroundings.

 

Those who prepare for the future will stock pile durables  now and  until  the last week of 99’ will  ride more easily  the wave of the 21st century.

 

Perhaps by the second or third week of 00’, there will be a flicker of light, a transmission of a radio signal,

an image from the internet.  The electronic  age will have  resurrected.

 

Technology   will  have come of age. 

 

And  our  view of reality will have changed.

 

Sitting in the dark, huddled around a fire place, we may experience what generations of humankind so vividly felt years and years ago. Water, light, heat, food, and related will take on a new meaning. Reading by candle light, talking with another surrouded by silence, hauling water to the second floor for cleansing but not bathing may become common.

 

Most importantly “instantanous” will have a short death. Reflection, meditation, and  personal

communication will take on a new life.

 

And then , it will be over.

 

Stories of the great electronic ice storm of the new millenium will  be passed down to generation after

generation about a time when we thought that the world had stopped.

 

Then, this too shall pass.

 

 

(See Y2k.gov)