Is there a Y2K bug in Singaporeans' perceptions of the next millennium? (15/11/1999)

(Now listening to Dreams by the Corrs)

    Singapore is currently heading towards a massive celebration as the end of 1999 approaches.  What distinguishes this end-of-the-year's celebration from other years is that we are at the brink of the year 2000, the new millennium, or is it?

    Simple reasoning would tell us that the year 2000 is neither the beginning of the 21st century, nor the next millennium (the next 1000 years).  The answer is obvious:  The first year of the past millennium, which is suppose to be the year that Jesus was born on earth, starts with the year 1 AD.  There is no such thing as the year 0 AD.  Thus, the end of the previous millennium, or the 1000th year, is the year 1000.  It is only at the 1001st year that our current millennium starts, not the year 1000.  Continuing this line of reasoning, the new millennium will only start at the year 2001.  The last year of the current millennium should be the year 2000 and not 1999.  Even though you may dispute the exact year of Jesus's birth, the above reasoning would hold independently of your religious beliefs.

    Thus, it would seem as though Singaporeans have a millennium bug embedded in our reasoning of the new millennium.  However, I can choose to be more sanguine about it.  People love to party, and would seek any excuse as a reason to party.  Thus, who cares about the exact beginning of the next millennium, we could always party again next year J.  

    I would conclude by saying that, although we can party as if it is the end of the current millennium, it is still important to know the truth.  Christians may sing songs like, "From the rising of the Sun" but those who sings it knows that it is only a figure of speech.   I am embarrassed when I read from a forum writer that the Christmas decoration at Orchard Road calls this year's Christmas as "The Last Christmas of the millennium".  It may just be, although it is highly unlikely, that the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board intends it to be a figure of speech.  Clearly, I do not want Singapore to be made a laughing stock in the eyes of tourists.  

PS:  The latest song by Will Smith, Will2K, is apparently along the same reasoning as yours truly.  In the first verse, he took the effort to correct the error of many people by rapping, " Will2K, the new millennium, yo excuse me, Willennium."  It is such a groovy song, along the same lines as Getting Jiggy with it, that I could imagine myself partying to this new song, in celebrating the new mill..., err, the "Singa-ennium" J.