SSN numbers are good for 999,999,999 people alive or dead. At some point the US will hit that, right? Do we start reusing numbers? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

  • cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de
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    1 month ago

    Just add another digit and watch the entire country break down because they can’t find someone to update their 40+ year old software written in COBOL.

    • purplemonkeymad@programming.dev
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      1 month ago

      Sorry we can’t employ you as your ssn is too long. Also we can’t have any new employees called Mike Smith as the HR system already has someone with that name.

    • RegalPotoo@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      I want to see the high-octane action thriller where the grizzled old hand and the renegade upstart trek to the remote compound in the woods of Montana to find Bob, the last man alive who understands how some obscure part of the IRSs core systems works and bring him back in from the cold for one last job… to save America(s neglected computer systems from decades of under investment)