hum \Hum\, n. 1. A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a
swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.

Here's Y2K in a nutshell:

Once upon a time, in am emerging technological world, most all of the computer geeks programming the world's systems were commanded by their superiors to save memory by omitting two digits out of dates used in programs.  Thus 1995 was 95, 1996 was 96, etc.... and 2000 was.... well, they didn't worry about that.  By the time the millenium hits, said they, all these systems will be replaced.

Due to financial restraints, not many systems have changed since then.  If it ain't broke, why fix it?

So here we are, January 1999, less than one year to the day of reckoning.  And many say, so what?  A couple of dates off in computers... what the hell do I care?  That won't affect me.

Ah, but it will.  Maybe not as catastrophically as some doomsayers would have you think.  The worst case scenario is as follows (unless you consider the possibility of nuclear devestation, but if that's gonna happen, there's not much we can do).

Worst case scenario - massive bank runs, stock market crash, economic collapse, riots ten times worse than L.A., martial law, no electricity, no food, no water, no survival unless you "run for the hills" or stockpile like a madman.

Best case scenario - a few bank runs, intermittant power outages, some incorrect bank statements, your PC shuts down, the mail is late, and the grocery store clerks have to add by hand, if they can remember how.

The general consensus is that it won't be so bad, they'll fix it in time, it won't cause much disruption.  Now for my prediction.

Y2K is slowly spreading in the media and almost everyone has seen it/read it/heard it somewhere.  Some people are panicked.  Others not so much.  As New Year's Eve approaches, the panic will increase.  There will be bank runs.  The stock market may crash.  There will be a mild to serious economic depression.  There will be rioting and looting, some for actual causes and some for the simple cause of anarchy.  Martial law will be declared and several personal freedoms & rights will be taken away.  There will be revolting against this police state type government, and Christians will cry "mark of the beast" and "rapture."  Some would like nothing more than the extremist's fears to come true, to purge the earth and begin anew.  Several millenial groups/religions will sprout up, some to be reckoned with, some to dismiss.  A new president will be elected, but never see inaugural day (so guess who we get stuck with!).  Then Y2K hits.  Some but not all banks are down, some just malfunction.  Power will be out in places, many will die from the cold.  Some satellites are down, thus TV and radio are down in places.  Short-wave radio makes a come-back, along with camoflauge.   The end of the world as we know it  has occured.

Then what happens?  I can't yet make a prediction on that.  And I can't tell you anything for sure about Y2K and its effects.  No one can.  But you can decide for yourself what to think, and what to do.

Follow these links to expand your mind:

Gary North - read about the extreme but thourough view by a historian/Christian reconstructionist.
Yahoo's Full Coverage - keep an eye on the media's views, updated daily.
Catholic 2000 - "the leading website for Catholics who are concerned about the Year 2000 computer problem"
EuY2K.com - electric utilities and the year 2000.
Y2K Hoax - learn how the Y2K bug will be the biggest money-making hoax in this lifetime.
Y2K Fun Page - the lighter side of Y2K.
Ed Yourdon - another author out for your cash.
U.S. Government - who's compliant and who isn't?  And what's the back-up plan?
Y2K for Women - "what every woman needs to know and how to keep herself and her family safe."

And the list goes on and on.... search for yourself!

Taos Hum - a low-pitched sound heard in numerous places worldwide, especially in the USA, UK, and Northern Europe. It is usually heard only in quiet environments, and is often described as sounding like a distant diesel engine. Since it has proven indetectable by microphones or VLF antennae, its source and nature is still a mystery.

Hum Music - some bands have named themselves hum:  Dynamo Hum,  Treble Hum,  and just plain old Hum.

Hum-De-Dums...

Here shall lie the soundtrack to the decline of the western civilization, i.e., sounds that break the buzz.

Taos Hum - listen with headphones to hear the oh-so familiar drone. More Taos Hum

Stop.  Listen.  Listen real close.  What do you hear? Hmmmm?  Stemming from some known or unknown source, there is a hum, a buzz.  Like the definition says, a low monotonous tone.  Maybe it's coming from your computer.  Maybe it's the cars out on the street.  Maybe it's in your mind.  Maybe your wife/husband/kids' voice.... all droning on like Ferris Bueller's infamous teacher.  It's the monotony of life.  And we're here to break it.

The saga of Hum has only just begun... here we will store past articles and other ancient information.