Opinion: Freeze-Dried Y2K

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Nearly 60 years ago, a small radio group led by Orson Welles broadcast “War of the Worlds.” The broadcast was done in a radio news format and spectacularly laid out an invasion of earth by Martians. As a result, nearly 1 million people made a solid push on the panic button. The next morning, everyone awoke to discover the invasion existed only in the imagination of the broadcasters and their listeners.

Thinking about Y2K, you have to believe that not much has changed in the last 60 years. This time, the role of Orson Welles is played by alarmists like Michael Hyatt who are trying to scare the wits out us, not by detailing a Martian invasion but by exploiting a computer bug aptly named Y2K [for Year 2000]. Hyatt has claimed that the “social fabric” of America will be tested in January 2000 because of a widespread failure of computers, which will result in our water supply, electrical grid and food chain coming to a halt. But then again, we have to remember Hyatt wants your family to buy a year’s supply of freeze-dried food from him for a mere $3,350. (Now we know for certain that terrible food can be expensive, too!)

First, let me assure you that it doesn’t take Y2K to screw up my computer. In fact, I’m thankful for the times it decides to function. Furthermore, we have to wonder if social unrest will occur just because a toaster might not work on Jan. 1, 2000. A country that survived one civil war, two world wars, two Asian conflicts, a depression, several recessions and a severe oil shortage can surely survive a malfunctioning toaster.

Since this column is based on personal views, I will tell you, without hesitation or doubt, my greatest concerns about Y2K center on human reaction, not computer glitches, and the impact over-reaction will have on our domestic economy. It is apparent that our nation’s basic infrastructure, from electricity to water, is increasingly prepared for Y2K. However, the American psyche might not be as well-prepared. Recent spikes in firearms sales and survivalist gear signal concern. As a Y2K article in the New York Times observed, it is appropriate to remember the famous line from the old Pogo comic strip: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Certainly, there will be glitches and bumps in the road on Jan. 1, and we should all assess and prepare for potential problems that could occur in our businesses and personal lives. We should be thankful the U.S. is the best-prepared nation in the world to face the Y2K bug. It is apparent the most significant disruptions our lives will likely come from problems originating in other countries.

We are so far ahead of other nations that we should begin to develop a technological equivalent of the Marshall Plan to assist countries ill-prepared to deal with the Y2K bug. At no time since World War II is the U.S. in a better position to provide leadership to the rest of the world.

My plans for Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, are simple. If it is clear and not too cold, I will take my sons out for a brisk walk to the park so that we can watch the miracle of the sun rising in the eastern sky. We’ll head to mass in the afternoon and see how our friends and neighbors are doing. If anyone needs help, assistance will be offered.

The greatest reassurance of the day will be when we see a truck rolling down the highway. There is no better symbol of commerce in our nation than a moving truck. And it might just take something as drastic as Y2K for us to remember that important point.