Once we had a name to attach to a particularly wet year, every single crisis was blamed on it. It seems that having something to blame makes us feel better when faced with our inability to control it. Y2K is exhibiting much the same news coverage and panic that El Nino generated but with far more wide-ranging results. Unfortunately, as technology workers we will all carry at least some of that burden, as well. The burden of extra work correcting the problems and the burden of blame for creating the problems in the first place.
Human beings can paint stereotypes with a wide brush, especially during times of crisis.
It is only a small leap from blaming computers for Y2K problems to blaming technology workers in general. Already we are seeing reports of stupid programmers, irresponsible IT professionals and uncaring technology people. I can see the focus moving from dislike of computers to dislike of those that work with them. The only way to combat these stereotypes is to meet them full on. We all need to show that while there are reasons to test and prepare, the hype of Y2K far outweighs the actual danger.