But isn't that a long time from now?
That’s exactly what the COBOL programmers said about the Year 2000 back in the 1960s! -- and look at the Year 2000 mess that we have now because of it. Are we going to make the same mistake again? Never underestimate the slowness of government and corporate bureacracies. According to Murphy's Law, every project takes longer than expected and no software is ever completed by the required date. This time, let's get started early and get the job done right.
You might also say, "Well, I won’t be around in 9999 anyway, unless there are some really big advances in medicine and life expectancy. Why should I care?" This is so short-sighted! What a jerk! Is it fair to pass on such immense problems to your children? (Well, OK, your great-to-the-322nd grandchildren.)
