Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing and Y2k

[Zev Paiss (zpaiss]

Dear Liz,

Thanks for your question about Y2k.

First off there should be no doubt in anybodys mind that the problem is
REAL.  Large corporations wouldn't be spending hundreds of millions of
dollars to fix it if it wasn't.

I DO NOT suggest going out and stockpiling guns and ammunition though
some people already are.

Y2k is a communal (and systemic) problem and must be dealth with
communally. People who think they can head for the hills to sit it out
IMHO are not going to do as well as those that plan ahead and gather
with their neighbors to become more sustainable.

What do I think will happen?  Good question.  After extensive reading I
see three critical areas of weakness right now.

1. Food production, preparation and distribution.  Our food system is
extremely complex and uses computer controlled processes in many stages
of this system.  I expect delays and slowdowns in some or many of what
we are use to seeing on our store shelves.

2. Both the federal and local governments.  In the most recent self
reporting quarterly report, overall the federal government received a D+
in its current preparations.  There is no way they will fix all the
"mission-critical" systems before 1/1/2000.  Some of the services which
will not be fixed will turn out to be unnecessary, some will not.  Many
services will be shifted to the local governments assuming they are in
good enough shape to take on more responsibility.

3. Many foriegn countries that we depend on for raw material and parts. 
Because of the severity of the econimic crisis in may parts of Asia,
South America and Russia and the Europian focus on the conversion to the
"Euro" many countries have not begun to address their Y2K problem -
which we exported to them when we sold them our older computer systems. 
I expect that many businesses in this country who are dependent on
foriegn suppliers will experience shortages.  This will have an effect
on their ability to produce their products.  Remember how a strike at
two of GM's break plants caused a shutdown in ALL of GM's facilities.

At a minimum I strongly suggest that cohousing groups begin talking
about this issue and looking at their strengths and weeknesses.

This challenge can be an opportunity to shift ourselves towards a more
sustainable and self-resiliant lifestyle.  Cohousing communities are in
an excellent position to make small changes that could have a
significant effect on our communities while acting as a modle for other
communities.

With great optimisim,

Zev Paiss
Nomad Cohousing 
Boulder, Colorado