But don't panic. Hard evidence, as well as 2,000-plus years of human experience, point to that response as the best for dealing with the Y2K problem, also known as the Millennium Bug. Prudence here means paying attention to advice from authorities such as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Frankly, the fact that Y2K survivalists resort to arguments such as that last one, turns out the lights on their credibility months in advance of New Year's Eve. Because critics who conjure up conspiracy theories without evidence generally don't know what they're talking about.
Nobody wants the lights to go out.
Critics therefore bear the burden of proof when they claim that government officials, power company executives or others in the know are lying. They haven't surfaced, at least not in credible form. Now, maybe that's because this conspiracy is more coolly and cruelly efficient than others, and has suppressed the damning data more effectively. Or maybe not. Survivalists have great faith in humanity's ability to carry out conspiracies, and very little in our abilities to cope with adversity.