Beware the Y2K7!?
With this year's calendar dwindling toward its end, I began reminiscing about where we were seven years ago when it seemed that way too many people were dashing about town stockpiling canned vegetables and cashing out their bank accounts in fear of the dreaded Y2K.
Of course, it was all for naught (my debts never did disappear). Looking back at all that zaniness, I was comforted with the fact that unmitigated panic is not an American invention. From ancient doomsday cults to modern day duct tape wholesales, lots of people will find a reason to worry. When times are bad (i.e., Black Death), it's understandable how a group of flagellants may form and wreak havoc, but when times are good it's a little less clear.
One valuable resource on this phenomena is Charles MacKay's Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. Written in 1841, this book chronicles manias and panics such as stock market crashes, slang terminologies, and witch hunts. With in-depth yet clear language, MacKay's work stands the test of time, especially when compared to more modern rages such as Beanie Babies, the date 06/06/06, and aggressive shoppers buying Playstation 3.
Hopefully, with a little insight, we can all second guess our next topical impulse by not getting too caught up in the moment.