[Linux-disciples] Failed apt-get update

[Stephen R Laniel]

I just got this error message while trying to do a Debian apt-get update:

Reading Package Lists... Error!
E: Dynamic MMap ran out of room
E: Error occured while processing gnome-media (NewVersion1)
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

Any idea why that would happen? And why does it strike me that this
message sucks? Any way to reverse the effects?

-- 
``This sort of writing is the product of letting math-and-science-phobic
  English majors become reporters.''
 -Mark A.R. Kleiman, http://shorl.com/hydrostorigabri