X-Message-Number: 10108
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 09:55:58 -0400
From: <> (Jeffrey Soreff)
Subject: Re: Y2K

Peter Merel wrote:

>started thinking about problems in firmware, and I've now realized
>we're looking at a series of events with catastrophic potential. The
....
>  * 1/1/00 itself will produce global disruptions in electrical generation
>    and distribution networks, telecommunications, trains, planes and military
>    systems. This will affect the availability of vital goods and services,
>    including food. Other networks - water and sewage - may also be
>    affected. The length and severity of these disruptions is unpredictable,

Very much agreed.

>with any search engine. The obvious question is, what are prudent measures
>for orgs and individuals in the face of such events?

I've sent a note or two to Alcor and to this list, but haven't gotten any
response.  As individuals, my recommendations is to assume that utilities
(power, communications, water, fuel - and therefore transport) will be
out for possibly several months, and therefore to stockpile
>    food, water, gasoline and cash to cover the possibility of disruptions
(I'd add medications, batteries, candles, and some means of self defense to
this list).  Part of one's preparations depend a lot on geography:  How
important is heat in one's area in January?  Is water readily available if
electric power is gone?

Also consider some type of fuel for cooking and for decontaminating water.

For cryonics orgs: They'll need to have LN2 stockpiled to a larger extent
than usual.  If the boil off rate from a tank with ~100 day's supply allows
it to be held for ~100 days, and if it is possible to rent a tank for this
period, I'd suggest doing so.  If utilities are disrupted for >>100 days,
I think our society is so disrupted that attempting to maintain a cryonics
organization is hopeless anyway, so there isn't much point in trying to
planning organizationally for a longer disruption than this.

                                              Best wishes,
                                              -Jeffrey Soreff
                                              

standard disclaimer: I do not speak for my employer.

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