Apocalyptical focuses typically prompt suicides, basement fortresses,voluntary impoverishments, hoardings and orgies of last-will-and-testament writings by the mentally and emotionally challenged.
Adding fuel to the fire this time is the rational concern about integrity of computer networks, the so-called Y2K glitch created by early short-sighted computer gurus.
Even though billions of dollars have been spent to repair and prevent the year-end technical problem, some ignoramuses steadfastly insist that it will still trigger Armageddon.
Especially silly is the use of calendars to signal when the world will end. Today's most-popular international calendar used by the western world is dated from the time of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. But most residents of the eastern world use the Asian calendar, which reaches back 5,000+ years. Some 38 other calendars are also currently used.
Today's preoccupation with year-end disasters is simply part of the drivel associated with Bigfoot, aliens, conspiracies, astrology, witches, hauntings, gremlins and professional wrestling.
Today's mindless preoccupations simply guarantee clueless audiences for tabloid magazines and television programs.(31 OCTOBER 1999)
