I don’t believe in “crying wolf,” so for the last two months I’ve written two edito-rials on this topic and then had second thoughts. But since it is almost a proverb
that artists can be somewhat oblivious to current events, etc., I feel a responsibility to issue a wake-up call. You are welcome to turn on the “snooze” button if you want, but at least I’ll feel better!
We’ve all been hearing rumors about the year 2000 problem called “Y2K.” You may not even know how to turn a computer on, but since Y2K affects the computers and computer chips that run national defense, health care, telecommunications, energy, transportation, finance and nearly every aspect of your life, you might want to pay attention. The current public response seems to be polarized between disbelief and panic. Neither approach seems wise.
Being a skeptic, I always think computer problems, such as viruses, are created by the very people who sell the remedies! My cynicism about this problem changed when I received a speech given by the head of the government’s committee on Y2K. The seriousness of the situation really took me by surprise, and I began to do research. If you are a skeptic too, it wouldn’t hurt you to do the same. Just go to an Internet search engine and type in “Y2K,” or ask a librarian for help. If you want someplace to start, read the comprehensive article in the New York Times on Sunday, December 27, 1998. You’ll see that this isn’t just about setting the date on your computer, but has implications for international relations, industry, the infrastructure and society—and certainly the arts.
Even the mildest reports I found were troubling: One expert, who believes the Y2K problem is being stretched out of proportion, said that all computers have human override protection and there is no need to worry. But even he concluded by saying he would not be getting into an airplane or a subway next January first, would have a cash reserve on hand, and a supply of food and water just in case. I also read the other extreme—religious groups who believe Y2K is the end of the world and are making serious preparations for that event.
The middle ground seems to be that no one knows what will happen, but there will likely be serious disruptions and possible some real chaos if computers—and perhaps more seriously, computer chips embedded in everything from nuclear power plants to your home thermostat—malfunction on January 1, 2000. Even those who think this is all overkill believe that serious problems will occur simply because of fear—people will pull their money out of the stock market, banks, etc. and will begin to stockpile food and water, creating problems for the economy.
Legislation is already being passed to protect companies from lawsuits stemming from Y2K. Interruptions have already begun with some banks who don’t authorize transactions from credit cards which expire past 1999.
Internationally, only a few countries have really addressed the problem and even they acknowledge their response has been too little, too late. Some are predicting quite a bit of international upheaval as countries which were not prepared have serious problems and become aggressive. If the government panel and others are correct, at the very least they predict a serious, deep, worldwide recession beginning in the year 2000.
I won’t tell anyone how to respond to these alarming predictions. But I do hope you at least consider the possibility that contracts and future income for artists might be impacted, whether from Y2K or from fear of Y2K. Whether or not you agree that there is a problem, it wouldn’t hurt to pull in your belt this year, pay down your debts and keep an emergency supply of food, water and money. If all we experience are a few stranded subway cars and ATM problems next year, great. But it may be a lot worse, and as a certain book says, “…if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”
Now, back to Valentine’s Day 1999! —CJ Williamson, Editor-in-Chief
