Power grids and general infrastructure fails, transport systems cease to operate and banking systems crash bringing chaos around the globe. That was what the experts claimed would happen when the clock clicked over from 1999 to the year 2000. People stocked up on essential supplies, cleared out their doomsday bunkers and prepared for the worst. Governments too. It seemed like a real threat.
Y2K was a "computer bug" revolving around calendar-data. The problem related to the fact many programs, and hardware, had the years represented as only two-digits rather then four-digits - It was said this would make the year 2000 indistinguishable from the year 1900. The subsequent confusion was supposedly set to cause massive disruptions on a global scale and governments, corporations and the general public around the world prepared in any way they could, spending millions of dollars along the way.
And what happened when the clock clicked over?
Well, in reality nothing much at all. There was a technical glitch in a Japanese nuclear power plant that was quickly dealt with and that's about it. I recall Australia spending millions of dollars to prepare, and recalling all embassy staff back from Russia as that country had done nothing to prepare...The USA spent millions and millions also...All for nothing.
I watched a show on TV yesterday morning that summarised the event non-event and people's behaviour, not governments, but the general punter. It was funny to see what the different people did to prepare and what seemed important to them. Also to see what the sceptics thought and did.
It made me think about people, about what is important to them, how they prepare for adversity in life and what items they would consider so important that they would stop to collect them if adversity struck and they were forced to leave home.
Imagine a Saxon farmer in AD 993 England who just realised the Danish Vikings were just over the next hill...What would he grab from his house before he fled? I assume different things than we would today.
Luckily Viking invasion is not a reality these days, although I would imagine that in some parts of the world threats like this are still a possibility, war-torn areas for instance. I wonder, what if a person was given two minutes to exit their house, possibly never to return...What would they grab in those two minutes?
I think it's an interesting question and whilst it may not seem relevant to you it certainly is for many. Consider those in the path of a wildfire like my country is experiencing currently, or in a war-zone, a tsunami, cyclone or twister...How about those close to the Chernobyl disaster...It happens, bad stuff, and in my opinion having a good level of preparedness will matter at that point.
The world got lucky in the year 2000 as there were no lasting, or major issues as were expected, however was it a good reminder to us about the importance of being prepared? Was it an example how why we don't need to be prepared in general? Well, as a perpetually-prepared guy I know how I feel about it, although I also know many feel no need to do so as the government will "look after them".
So, just for fun...What would you take with you and why? (You only have two minutes remember)
Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default Discord: galenkp#9209 🇦🇺
Image taken yesterday during a walk at the beach. Adelaide, South Australia.