Recently I have been thinking about the approach of the third millennium and all the hype surrounding it's approach. In the late 1990's more and more was being said and written about the approaching millennium. I'm sure that in back rooms discussion of the upcoming millennium occurred well before the late 90's.
Some of the issues reported seemed very practical. The computer issue was obvious. Computers had been inadequately programmed to show dates. So if changes weren't made a whole host of problems would occur with incorrect dates. When it came to legal, business, government and historical issues the possible effects were enormous. Frantic efforts were made to update the computer system to handle the 2000's in dates. Stories on this issue were common and they always emphasized the doubt about the success of changing computer programs. It made for good story telling. Stories abounded about a total computer collapse. So there was tremendous fear mongering.
Well, the millennium came and surprise, surprise the world of computers did not end. Nor did the world end.
Aside from the computer issue there were many other wild stories about the coming of the millennium. The end of the worlders added their two cents worth. There were various groups who had reasons to predict that the end of the world would come. Many other religious groups had discussions as it related to their faith.
When you think about it it seems like the millennium issue happened only recently. Twelve years have passed since that momentous change from one millennium to another. Slowly the issue has left our minds and it seems like a distant dream. I'm sure someday we will look back and ask what all the fuss was about.
And now we've got another at the end of THIS year, when the Mayan calendar comes to an end. Everybody is saying that we won't see 2013. Doomsday is always popular, because each of us will eventually reach our own individual doomsday. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, one of the interesting things I ran across was the idea that the actual millennium was in 1995 because they started 0 five years after Christ's birth. Interesting?
ReplyDeleteThere is a whole bunch of Doomsday Hoarders on TV now..building shelters and stockpiling food..woe is me..the Mayan Calendar is coming to an end..woe is me again..repeat in intervals:)
ReplyDeleteYou can really get in the swing of things here. Yes there is no shortage of doom sayers. Come to think of it , that might not be a bad idea for a post sometime.
DeleteI was thinking like DJan about the next doomsday scenario but she said it better anyway. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have never thought of doom's day in a personal way. When my time is up I hope I will have enough time to come to terms with my end. My end is part of my birth and living. Sorry to rain on the doom's day guys.
DeleteI was working in a job for a drug manufacturer around that time...made for plenty of work for me, but craziness all around! As for the doomsday folks, I have always ascribed to the saying "never trouble trouble 'til trouble troubles you"...so I don't bother getting enrolled in the hype around any of the end-of-the-world scenarios! I prefer to live in the moment...
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you were in the middle of the millennium issue in the pharmaceuticals.
DeleteDoom's day people have been around forever and they never seem to learn from their failures.
Preppers are moving here, we have one for sure -- they moved above our farm on three acres and have walled themselves off. Then built a GIANT...over the top three story with basement barn which they live in...they are very secretive and do not want to get to know their neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI guess if something goes wrong, they are of the notion...you are on your own.
That's fine. We will be okay.
Sigh..........
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
These people are rather sad because they show a tremendous amount of insecurity. The other point is that we survive by working together. You can shut yourself up but it's a very limited lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteRed I already wonder what the fuss was all about. I got married for the 2nd time on Dec. 31/99 and the only thing that didn't survive the millennium is my marriage! lol Enjoy your evening!
ReplyDeleteInteresting date to get married. But then any date is great to get married. First date with my wife Dec. 31, 1964???
DeleteRed the method to my madness, and it was sheer madness, was to start out the New millennium in sheer bliss, that or have someone to go down with... we did go down but after two years, now due to Y2K. The first date with your wife was New Year's Eve? That's so romantic, I guess you both seen the fireworks, hopefully you still do today! Cheers.
DeleteInteresting take on your Y2K personal experience. Nevertheless, marriage breakups are more than stressful.
DeleteI suppose when we look back we tend to think (in this country, at least) of 1066 rather than 1000 as being a defining year. I wonder what the equivalent will be for us, what will be our 1066?
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point that there are other years that are more significant in history than the millennium.
ReplyDeleteThe Y2K of the millennium madness created jobs for several people in prestigious companies, enabled Indian IT sector to become a powerful one in the world mainly due to man power. As for the end of the world predictions, I wouldn't believe any of them. Maybe something like in the Hitchhiker's Guide to galaxy would be interesting though :)) Very interesting post Red!!
ReplyDeleteIndia has never looked back since Y2K when it comes to the IT sector.
ReplyDeleteI think the end of the world ideas are supported by very few people . the rest of us just find it weird.
Weird, indeed!
Delete