Hype is not a new thing. There was hype in the 5th century, there was hype before that, there will always be hype. But what we have today is global and more intense hype of a different kind. Let's look at some recent examples of hype:

• Windows 95
  This is the definition of hype. There were millions of copies sold on the very first day of shipment. No facts, no benchmarks, no stability testimonies. They just jumped ahead and bought what they were told that was good to buy.
• The "Millennium"
  Ok that is too the definition of hype. I think that we have all heard our share of exaggeration from the media about 31/12/99@23:59.
• Java
  There was (is) a lot of hype about Java. Some might argue it was for good reason, some just the opposite. My mind's split too. If you made me choose I'd say it's ... new Definition(Definition.Mediocre).withSomeGoodFeatures();
• Linux
  Yes yes.. I know.. Linux is good and all, but it is also overhyped. Look for evidence below.
• The Internet
  Same as above.

"So" (I hear you say) "how can I tell if something is overhyped or not?".

Well.. That's a toughie. As I mentioned earlier, it is sometimes unclear if something's hyped or not. But fortunately we have some leads. What are they?

• If you have heard about something somewhere where you shouldn't have
  Want an example? What is an operating system doing in the news of you favorite broadcaster? Well it's probably there for hype, by a no good reported with a no-good-far-from-truth-exaggeration story. Then you KNOW it's hype.
• Hear your boss say "What about this and that? Can we have ANY use for it? I want it"
  It's typical for everyone to want to use an overhyped product or concept or whatever, even if he has no real use for it. Everyone wants to to be "in tune with his time" so "We absolutely must have that". "What is this internet anyway?".
• It is the answer to any problem. It is the ONLY answer to any problem
  - I was wondering how can I solve my Y2K problem
  - It's easy. Use Windows 95-
  (on national TV). Sometimes you just MUST have a death penalty.
• A new version comes out. It's on the news, it's on everyone's mouth.
  People must someday stop believing to what other people say and start thinking for themselves. Sometimes being half-ignorant is more dangerous than being ignorant.

Why why why... Oh my God why is this happening?

I got a reason or two for you.

• REPORTERS
  The devil's spawn. The profession that with little or no general training that automatically makes you a specialist for just about anything. I have heard about things that made me burst into tears, explode with anger and throw myself on the floor laughing (but that's another story). Don't believe them. When a reporter doesn't have a clue about something, his job is not to admit it and go on like he has all the answers. Sad.
• Can you spell Major Corporations (tm) ?
  Throw a little money in marketing, throw a little money in advertisement, throw some buck in "sponsoring" and there you go... Dont get me started.
• The basic human instinct of having a higher cause, an ultimate value, someone to follow religiously etc
  
• Stupid People (tm)
  Well. This is the reason civilization failed and will continue to do so. So let's blame this one to them. Here you have them, the look-no-further-why-do-I-have-to-use-my-head-gimme-my-chewed-food kind of people.
• MEDIA
  or Methodical Erosion and Decomposition of Intellectual Ability (I just came up with that (-: ).

Oh My God.. I can see it now. But how can we stop it.

Well you know.. there is no Superman. I have seen both naked the greatest and the smallest man. Live with it. :-)

DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer is to say that I love everyone. I think that everyone is good and nice and beautiful. I love gay people, I love straight people, I love the rich and the poor, and my mother and father for making me and I love the world and God and all the angels and I think that everyone will go to heaven and stuff. Please, if I left anyone out don't sue me. But in case you do I would like to say that I love the judges and the prosecutor and....