Y2K Bug and Other Near-Disaster Events Gen Z Knows Nothing About
In a world where information is at our fingertips, it’s easy to forget the near-disasters of the past that had us on the edge of our seats.
Today’s Gen Z might be well-versed in the latest trends and technologies, but there are significant events from the past that may have slipped under their radar.
As we approached the year 2000, the world braced for a potential catastrophe known as the Y2K bug. This was a computer flaw that many feared would cause systems to fail when the calendar rolled over from 1999 to 2000.
Similar to the Y2K bug, the Millennium Bug was a problem for both digital (computer-related) and non-digital documentation and data storage situations which resulted from the practice of abbreviating a four-digit year to two digits.
In 1962, the world stood on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviet Union had placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from U.S. shores. After 13 tense days, the Soviets agreed to remove the missiles, averting disaster.
In 2003, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak caused global panic. Originating in China, the virus spread to 26 countries and infected over 8,000 people. Swift international cooperation and quarantine measures helped contain the virus.
The collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 triggered a global financial crisis. There were fears of a complete economic collapse. However, government interventions and monetary policies prevented a total disaster.