Millennium Madness? your observations or read Jonathan's Thought for the Day that began this debate Thank you to everyone who wrote in. LAST UPDATED TUESDAY DECEMBER 14 1999 Jonathan has called a halt to the collection of Millennial trivia, for reasons you all know about, but here are some contributions that arrived before, or just after, the current ban. Bear from Seattle does not regret that he is not a beer drinker despite this promotion. "Budweiser beer is doing a heavy TV campaign on their Limited Edition Millennium Beer. And what's even better is that you can get the standard limited edition beer bottle, or ,oh my, the Millennium Magnum bottle of beer. I dislike beer so I guess I will just miss out. but I am sure Anheuser-Busch will make some money out of this campaign." Baugh writes in to let us know that: "I'm Y2K complacent." Barbara may succumb to a Millennium snack despite the memories. "Many baby boomers in The USA grew up on a bowl of Spaghetti-O's for lunch (sometimes breakfast and dinner too). For the Millennium the company is adding 2's to this stock favorite. I can barely stand the smell of an opened can of them anymore after so many years of them as a steady diet when I was young! But I may open a can just for the 2000 rush." Weezie in California contemplates a cruise of a 1,000 years. "I just heard that Carnival (cruise line) is offering Millennium cruises. Can you imagine the places you could cruise to if you were cruising for a Millennium? How many lifetimes do you suppose that would take? It boggles the mind!" Jeanne points out the whole Millennium fiasco is pointless. "The point of the whole thing is that there is no point - since the dating system is entirely arbitrary. If you're not a Christian, it has no meaning at all. But having fun is always a good idea so let the silliness abound!" Annie from Arizona saw a Pets Hotel looking for Millennium business. " I saw a sign on a business called Pets Hotel ( an animal kennel) and it said: 'Y2K9 Compliant. Make your New Year's Reservations now.'" Cess from the States reckons this mold is just good ol' American capitalism. "Well as I read Ladies' Home Journal, I came upon a Jello 2000 mold. If anyone cares to have it call 1-800 Jell-0 Mold (US only). What will they think of next? I guess it is to everyone's advantage to come up with something and make some money!" Tom Jones discovered a Y2K2 dessert server! "I just saw an ad in the Sunday paper for the Millennium dessert server! I think the world has gone crazy. It's a cake server with the word Millennium on the broad blade - looks cheaply made." Suz writes of some bejewelled hype. "I have been watching your news of Millennium goodies being offered... here's a doozie: Rogers Jewelers is offering 2000 'perfect' diamonds inscribed with 2000." Marcel came across some posh products. "Porsche are producing 911 numbered cars of the 911 Carrera Coupe 4 Millennium Edition. A Dutch couturier called Van Gils has designed a special Millennium costume for men, although he admitted it was a satire on the current Millennium hype." Michelle from Atlanta, Ga, reports that the Millennium bug has been captured. "This morning at a local gas station, I saw an advertisement that proclaimed it had caught the 'Millennium bug'. I looked closer and there were little plastic boxes with three dried beans in each of them. It said that the Millennium bug had disguised itself as Mexican jumping beans and had been captured! " Alison says we should contemplate the events of the last momentous century, rather than dwell on the bigger agenda of the Millennium. "It occurred to me recently, in conversation with my husband, that with all the focus on 31 December 1999 being the end of the Millennium, no one seems to be paying much attention to the fact that possibly the most extraordinary century that any human being has lived through is coming to an end. We are leaving behind us two World Wars, plus numerous other important wars in which many people died in the name of many causes; genocide on a scale never previously seen or imagined... Surely we should take a moment to contemplate the last 100 years, never mind the last 1000?" Anne shares Alison's view that poised on the threshold of next Millennium , we should take a good look at ourselves. "I would be more inclined to say that the Y2K bit has caused many to go from the sublime to the ridiculous based, mainly, on their incapacity to really understand what is going on around us all. If people could just get off the merry-go-round of madness that is constantly surrounding us these days they could perhaps get their feet - and minds -back onto some solid ground with some solid human values that seem to been thrown away with the mad rush to 'do things better'. Doing things better is not always for the best." CJ confirms the dilemma of numbers.... "As for all this talk about whether the Millennium occurs when we go from 1999 to 2000 or 2000 to 2001, the way I look at it is this: the problem is because we now use Arabic numerals. We used to number our years in Roman numerals. Thus, a transition from one decade to the next happens when we go from, say, XIX to XX. Hence, the Millennium clearly happens when we go from MCMXCIX to MM. The year 2001 is MMI, which is obviously one year into the first MM decade, century, and Millennium. Thus, our switch from Roman to Arabic caused the confusion." Sharon from Indianapolis, Indiana writes "This year, we're turning a corner of incredible proportions: it's not simply a change in the year (as in the change last year, from 1998 to 1999), or a change in the decade (1989 to 1990), or even a change in the century (1899 to 1900). It's a change from one Millennium to another, from 1000 to 2000. I realize this is obvious - this is what the hoopla is about. But somehow it registers very deeply; people concoct new ways to improve their lives when the year changes; they talk about the character of the last ten years when the decade changes. The level of anxiety rises when centuries change: what's life going to be like in the next Big Era? No wonder some rather odd people are predicting the end of the world as the Millennium looms; we're frightened of what's around the most immense 'corner' of our collective experience. So we make 'Millennium' products; we get silly, rather than face an admittedly irrational fear." Roy warns of the perils of "simplistic reasoning". "I would strive to promote the constant value of careful thought over the instant gratification provided by hasty intuition. For it is this 'hasty intuition' that is at the root of many inaccuracies and misunderstandings in the world - and mistaking a scale of 1-10 for one of 0-9 must rank as a true, if only minor, classic! Indeed, what appears, at first, to be only an insignificant lack of accuracy, points to a far more important lack of attention to detail underpinning it. This, in turn, only serves to encourage a simplistic mode of reasoning - so often to be found at the heart of ignorance and intolerance -not only with regard to mathematics! Annette in Iowa, USA, ponders the merits of 20th century air. "Interesting to consider that old air might be a menace. Conversely, my first thought was that if pollution continues, 20th Century air may become a much sought-after commodity." Karla of Bloomington, Indiana, has a bug of her own. "Sitting on my desk, a gift from a friend, is my Y2K bug, I know this because he has Y2K printed on his shirt, he comes complete with a cheesy grin, antennae, a tuft of red hair, bulging eyeballs, and iridescent wings and a stinger. When you slam him down on the desk, or any hard surface, he emits the sound of breaking glass, signifying the computer 'crashes' of the year 2000. This sounds exactly like the opening sound effect for the Billy Joel song 'You may be right'. Frighteningly enough, this little item is produced by Hallmark, so you may even see them in your neck of the woods!" Gypsyrose spotted a hot fashion item. "Today I saw a beautiful evening dress with a sheer black scarf to accessorize it. In sequins at the bottom of the scarf was 2000." Susan of San Jose in California adds her favorite... "I must add my personal favorite for wacky Millennium products to your list. As the Y2K compliance officer for my company, I have been given many of these items. My favorite is a bottle of 'Y2K Bug Spray - The Y2K solution for card eating ATM machines, jammed elevators, stock market crashes, air traffic mishaps, and world nuclear disasters'. It is actually a non-aerosol bottle of herbal-scented air freshener. It never fails to get folk's attention when they stop by my office and several individuals have actually inquired as to how it works!" Melissa points how you can preserve your name for posterity on a Millennial brick! "Here in Portland, Oregon, USA, you can purchase a brick for $100 with your name inscribed, and the year 2000, and it will be placed in the Pioneer Square downtown. Baldev in Bahrain wonders about Millennial glory for the school team... A group of parents recently formed a committee promoting themselves as 'The Millennium team who would lead the school to its highest glory'. The funny part is that the same members have been on one panel or another for many years. I simply fail to understand how, just by calling themselves the 'Millennium team', the glory they seek could be achieved." Lauren will be relieved to know that Jonathan has come to the same conclusion as her and made his site and column a "Millennium free zone" as of 17 November. "This new line of observation, the count of how many things are being exploited by the Millennium, is pointless and uninspirational. It tells me nothing spiritual, nothing about the current movement of the planets and nothing about the planet and it's daily changes. I think you have sold out and are not as interested in giving a meaningful message." Anne - it's a dog's life "This is more properly a Y2K souvenir item, but what is Y2K except a phantom problem created by the Millennium... My item is a T-shirt bearing a picture of a bulldog wearing sunglasses, sitting at a PC. The slogan? Y2K9." For Kate from Saskatchewan the Millennium is a mixture of frustration and celebration. "My comment is that the big deal is that we are leaving the 1900's and going into the 2000's. It does not matter, as some say, that the new Millennium does not start until 2001... I say, let the people celebrate. I do get frustrated with business taking advantage of people by using Millennium or 2000 as a selling point. Really, if a product was not good enough on its own, is it going to be any better if the words/numbers Millennium or 2000 are on it? It is the same hype as low-fat or sugar-free. Finally, Lisa from Iowa puts forward a less cynical view of the Millennium transition. "As of late, you continue to make reference to NOT making reference to the Millennium madness that abounds. I understand the thought behind the effort, however, I'd like to offer a slightly less cynical point of view. Yes, the media has gone hyperactive with it - as they do with so many things these days, although usually only the bad things. But from a human standpoint, my interest in this craze rests not in the celebrations and such, but focuses on the standpoint that we are fortunate enough to be alive at the turn of the new century. My grandfather was born in 1880 and died in 1973. He lived to witness electricity, the transition from horse and buggy to automobiles, air travel and then a man on the moon. He witnessed WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and every other conflict between. I haven't tallied the number of presidents he went through, but it was a great many. I could go on and on about what he saw in his lifetime, but you're a busy man. What I would ask you to do is to put things in perspective and think how exciting it is that we are alive and will witness this event - and then ponder the events we will live through and how someday your grandchildren and mine will look back and say: 'You know, my grandparents were alive at the turn of the century and look at what progress we've made...'" From the two million dollar bra to the 2000 Jello mold, the Millennium product madness will not abate... Boston-based Alise�s husband is doing a brisk trade in Y2K compliant chocolate! �My husband's company, Filthy Rich Enterprises, produces a line of trademarked chocolates which includes Y2K compliant chocolate. It is turning into a huge gimmick gift for the approaching Millennium. Thought you might get a kick out of knowing about it.� Another Boston resident Monika says that a Massachusetts town�s claim to be �city of the Millennium� is not working out to well... �I read in the Boston Globe yesterday that there are T-shirts being sold in Framingham, MA which read "Framingham: City of the Millennium" (or something to that effect). Apparently, they are not selling well, as they mean absolutely nothing!� Jeanne from Illinois has also come across Y2K compliant firewood... �One of the best ones I've seen is a place that advertised firewood that was Y2K compliant, since so many people are worried that we will not have any heat for our homes!� Toni has discovered Y2K compliant crystals... but they remain a mystery. �I came across a website selling Y2K compliant crystals. Nothing on the site mentioned why or how, it was just the title of the page.� Sally Krogh from New Zealand explains that now her fellow countrypeople can send themselves letters to celebrate the Millennium! �How's this for a crazy Millennium idea! New Zealand Post is offering a free �New Dawn Postmarking Service� to allow New Zealanders a chance to send themselves a letter postmarked 1 Jan 2000 from special Millennium sites. NZ Stamps marketing manager said the service was designed to enable New Zealanders to send friends, family or themselves a special New Year message. Fancy being able to post yourself a letter from somewhere you aren't! How handy.� Jaleh on the West Coast has spotted a Millennium car wash. �In Marina Del Rey, California, they recently opened a �Millennium Car Wash�, their slogan is "Excellent Service for the Next Thousand Years". I thought it was cute.� M. Winkelman wonders if Millennium panty hose will have that special sparkle. �I got a chuckle today at a chain discount store. They had Millennium Sheen Panty Hose. I wonder if they will light up with a special sparkle on 31 December 1999.� Kathlene from the USA has found some more interesting products: �In the grocery store, I discovered special packages of 2000 confetti. and candles with a globe, 2000, and the slogan: �Begin all over again.� I kind of liked the confetti. It's little gold 2000s about three quarters of an inch long and a quarter of an inch high. Paul from San Francisco probably rightly states that the US is the birthplace for most of the crazy Millennial products. �Just yesterday (here in San Francisco) I came across the Millennium pencil, a lead pencil of slightly higher quality than usual with bands with the each month's name painted along it. Presumably, the pencil is fresh in January and, as you sharpen it, you progress through the year to December. I like the idea of starting the year (as well as the Century and Millennium) off with a fresh pencil (and a fresh piece of paper) but this product does seem to reflect the use of time as well.� Cheri in New York has a relative who now has a personalised Millennium snowmobile. �I have a family member who actually paid out $8000 for a �limited edition year 2000� snowmobile which he also had personalized with his name. What some people won't do! Joan from the US has this serious Millennial warning for us all. �A 2K problem that could wipe us all out! Warning! Please take time out of your busy lives to check your toilet paper stockpile. Make sure it's Y2K compliant! Word has it that if it isn't, come 1 Jan 2000, it will roll back to 1900 and turn into a Sears Catalog! You have been warned! This silly thing is going over the net, I felt I had to pass it on...� More incredible expensive lingerie, spotted by John in the States �I received details of this from a daily e-mail joke list - they too are obviously finding the Millennium madness funny. A German lingerie maker unveiled a 24-carat, diamond-studded �Millennium Bra' in what it dubbed an effort to bring the timeless beauty of ancient Egypt to the dawn of the new age. Made from gold thread hand woven into 15th century-style 'bobbin lace� and decorated with a 15-carat diamond in the centre, the bra weighs a hefty 421 grams (15 ounces), about eight times as heavy as a regular bra and costs about 200 million yen ($1.9 million US/UK�1.15 million).� While shopping Danielle came across a wobbly promotion... �I saw in the supermarket today a Jello mold that said �2000� and a promotion to get the mold free with a purchase of a few boxes of the sparkling Jello mixes.� Monique from Canada recommends an early purchase of Millennium maple syrup. �Spotted in a Montreal gift shop: Millennium maple syrup! And buy it while you can, because in the new Millennium, the acid rain will probably be so toxic, it'll melt the maple trees... Yes, even in Canada...� Kim reports from Quebec that it is now �safe� to drink in Canada. �In Quebec, there is a company selling bottled water that is Y2K compatible. Thank goodness they got all the bugs out of the water before the big 2000!� Cyndi in Ontario is tired of the Millennium doom and gloom but was tickled by her teenage daughter�s 2000 nail polish. �Like you I'm getting a bit tried of all this Millennium buzz: all the doom - it will be the end of civilisation as we know it. I thought I had seen everything until my teenage daughter brought home a new Millennium product, baby blue nail polish. You guessed it, it's called Y2K and promises to cover your nails into the Millennium and is Y2K ready. What this has to do with the Millennium is beyond me, but I guess someone is make a buck selling this stuff. It is the greatest gimmick I have seen in awhile.� Jomarie is looking for a message in a Millennium paperweight. �I just saw at the store a glass paperweight. Round, frosted glass. On the outside Millennium 2000. On the inside... nothing. Think they're trying to tell us something!� JNKK tells of a Millennial marking that is invisible to the naked eye. �There is now a Millennium diamond the jewelry stores are selling. It's a brilliant (round) cut diamond, with the year 2000 etched on the edge (girdle) of the stone. It's so small you can only see it through a jeweler's loop, and probably have to take it out of the setting to do so. I have been told that they are only making 2000 of them, but it seems that many stores are offering them for sale. As you might have guessed, there is a premium price for this stone with the number, 2000, etched on it that you can't even see with the naked eye!� Trish from California has her favorite. �...a Millennium Princess Barbie, all decked out in a purple gown, headed for the local charity ball, no doubt..� Canada gives birth to the Millennium Burger, reports Margaret from Toronto. �I spotted an ad outside a burger joint close to the airport in Toronto. How about a tasty �Millennium Burger�? Its nickname? The �2000�. I decided against investigating to find out if the designation referred to the calories, fat content, price, or age of the beef, but couldn't resist adding it to your collection of the weird and wonderful on the Millennium bandwagon.� Courtney from Denver, the mile-high city, contemplates wearing some �high altitude� Millennium shoes. �Nordstrom Department Stores in America is selling a matching set of ultra high-heeled Millennium shoes and matching Millennium evening bag. Designed by Stuart Weitzman, the shoes and bag are black with gold and silver rhinestones that spell out the words �Millennium� and �celebration�, plus there are starbursts that look like fireworks on them as well. I just know that I would have more fun on New Year's Eve if I wear these shoes... However, the heels are so high, I feel I might get a little dizzy from the altitude.� Gigi from Long Island has perhaps uncovered the ultimate hype. �I have now seen the ultimate in Millennium products, as this holiday season kicks in. What else to buy dear old Uncle Ernie this Christmas but canned 20th Century Air. On the sealed can there is a label that says 20th Century Air with pictures depicting events of the last century - all at $5 bucks a pop. Please help me I can't stop laughing.� California farmers are making sure their cows are Y2K ready, writes Phyllis from LA. �Thought you would like to know they are running commercials for milk in Los Angeles that say: �Cows are Y2K ready�.� Julieann from Kansas ponders the problems of how to have Y2K compliant hair. �I saw a sign on how to make your hair Y2K compliant with some kind of texturising treatment. What happens to one whose hair is not Y2K compliant? I wonder.� Trish from Atlanta also wonders what it takes to be compliant for the new Millennium. �I heard a commercial on the radio that talks about Livesavers stating that the pineapple flavored Livesaver was not Y2K compliant. They are requesting people to write in and suggest what flavor should replace it. Exactly what makes one Y2K compliant I am not really sure.� Melody from California says her sister has actually bought a Millennium bug! �My sister just bought the new 2000 VW. Its name? The Y2Bug! I had not read about this one on your site yet! Cute car, but is it Y2K compliant? Jo from the USA could not escape Millennium merchandising while visiting friends last weekend. �While on my friend's deck in Portland, Oregon, last weekend, I noticed their �Millennium Barbecue�. I laughed, returned to reading the paper, and found an ad for a Millennium pizza offer.� Click here for more