-Caveat Lector- -----Original Message----- From: Declan McCullagh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From: "Alan Simpson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Y2K The First World InfoWar >By Alan Simpson > >In the confusion of computer glitches, amid an environment of political >chaos, we must not allow the perception of the coming Y2K crisis to be >used to damage the economic, nor critical information infrastructure, >nor allow public confidence to be shattered by lack of political >leadership. Actually the first cyberwar seems to have been the Indonesian attack on the Eire-based East Timorese domain [.tp] which occurred earlier this week. How that relates to the subsequent statements by the Indonesian government about "letting go" of East Timor is uncertain, but at least that war [the cyber phase of it anyway] was brief. Was Indonesia moved by the swift international reaction to that attack, by an unwillingness to devote further resources to E.Timorese domination during a possibly pre-revolutionary period, by the desire of a Muslim nation to rid itself of a Catholic enclave? ?Quien sabe? I await enlightenment. As for the Y2K flap rising to the level of 'crisis', that seems a bit overstated, at least according to all the computer professionals now working on Y2K problems that I've talked to. I'm a retired software engineer, and my still-employed colleagues laugh at the doomsday- speak regarding cybersystems. Will there be problems? Sure. Will society meltdown? Probably not in the western/industrialized world. Yet religious millenialists [who can't seem to count from 6 or 4 or 2 BCE or CE 1 or whenever] have whipped themselves into frenzies over the calendar's odometer rolling-over some zeros. THEY aren't likely to be too reassured by *any* government statements, any "political leadership". Those of us who aren't so numerologically/ideologically whacko are probably cynical enough about government capabilities that a lack of substantial responses won't be too surprising. But will the majority of Western populations remain calm as tempus fidgets? Or will widespread terror and panic sweep the world? ?Quien sabe? * [EMAIL PROTECTED] * http://www.sonic.net/~ric * ICQ# 19633976 * * *** SkeptiChat: sliding down the razor-blade of life *** now featuring SkeptiNews: All The News That's Fit To Question email INFO or SUBSCRIBE SKEPTICHAT to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
