Gary North

July 4, 2009

Yesterday, the computer at the company that bills my subscribers went nuts. It started mailing out billings. Everyone who was billed got kicked off. They could not re-subscribe.

In theory, I could lose my business over the next few weeks.

It's not just my problem. There are presumably millions of Web businesses at risk. The billing company is large.

Supposedly, the problem was solved yesterday afternoon. I won't know for sure for several days. Computers get fixed. Then they break. Fixes create new programming problems.

This can happen to any businessman at any time. A person offers good service. He builds a client base. And then, without warning, a computer glitch busts his business.

As Maxwell Smart used to say, "Sorry about that."

Computers are complex. Digits are reliable most of the time. Then, without warning, they are not.

Ultimately, we are dependent on God. If you trust in stuff, you will be betrayed at some point.

You should do your best work. You should offer value for value received. If the delivery system breaks down, you start over. It happens all the time. Entrepreneurs experience business failures. The good ones recover.

The Western world is facing this sort of thing with the monetary system. We could face it from biological warfare. There are no guarantees.

Like the men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 2, but only got the others to sign on July 4 -- and not all of them, either -- plans break down. Risks must be endured.

It does not help to worry about the things you cannot control.

I had hired a programmer to start a new business for me last week. Yesterday's experience convinced me I made a wise decision. One main income stream is too risky.

Thanks to those of you who have been patient with this glitch.