THE MILLENNIUM TIME BOMB OR YEAR 2000 PROBLEM - WHAT PROBLEM - WHOSE PROBLEM

The meaning of time in modernity as a conventional metaphor instantiat ed in technology is made visible and problematized by the phenomenon o f the so-called 'Millennium Time Bomb' (MTB) which is both a vehicle f or social change and a process for social study. The MTB is created by the two-digit representation of the year in hardware, software and em bedded chips potentially resulting in widespread failure of computeriz ed systems in the Year 2000. Technology is the driving force behind so cial change as modern societies in which knowledge is power increasing ly rely upon interdependent computers to effect rapid transfer of info rmation. Empirical data are drawn from local case studies and media pu blications to describe and analyse the research problem. A tentative m ethod is put forward for researching the range of problems encountered ; the role of the social scientist as change agent is also investigate d.