Mr. Labowitz,
I am indeed aware of the disaster that is more-than-likely to occur as a result of the Y2K bug, which is why I wrote the column.

I believe that I wrote a paragraph on the impact the bug will have on the IRS and social security branches. And I know that there is considered to be a 40% change of a recession like that of 1973-75. I meant no discredit to the technicians who are currently working around the clock to fix as much of the problem as they can before time runs out. However, I find it extraordinary disheartening that humans could have been so short-sighted in the 1970's and early 80s when originally producing much of this technology. Amazingly, no one thought their programs would still be used today. Humans as a people are usually very smug, self-involved and assume everything we invent will be useful forever. It's astonishing that in the one instance where ordinarily brilliant people disregarded their own human nature, the consequences are enormous and potentially disastrous.

However, in my defense, I believe (and sincerely hope) that readers will see my columns as humor writing and not carved in stone gospels. Just as I hope people don't actually think that there is an infectuous disease called Mailtus Spamus contaminating our computers. I have faith (or try to have faith) in humanity and the human ability to persevere, and therefore I find it extremely hard to believe that somewhere, someone won't find a way to put the clamps on this disaster.

KEVIN RIDOLFI

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