Opinion-Responsive Hypothesis

Abstract

Contrary to popular depictions of reactions to Y2K in which the public hoarded basic supplies because of a considerable fear of an Armageddon- like disaster, such as those found in Michael Moore’s documentary, Bowling for Columbine (2003), the real public reaction to Y2K was in fact much more understated. That is, in the face of potential operational shut-downs in which even some modest planning could have saved considerable inconvenience, the public tended not to deviate from its set pattern and routines.¹ The anxiety levels expressed through public opinion polls and most media coverage dropped between 1998 and 1999. The drop in anxiety levels can partly be attributed to robust responses to Y2K from government and industry, which included interalia much more sophisticated communications plans. And indeed, the methods applied for learning business and public opinion likely led to poll results that exaggerated people’s anxieties and businesses’ vulnerabilities.