A single point of failure shows that Substack writers and readers aren't prepared for a coordinated attack, direct censorship, or even simple tech mishaps
Thanks for the info. I’ve been concerned about the world’s transition from an individual ownership of things model to a leased use of other people’s things model. When one simultaneously realizes the scale of electronic connectivity that enables this transition and the extreme concentration of actual electronic owners, concern should be an appropriate action.
I’ve long feared that a flip of a digital switch will one day separate billions from accessing their leased world. The analog equivalent is finding a locked chain on the door to your house or a boot on your car tire. The recent AWS outage previewed a bit of the pain that would occur and demonstrated the feasibility of intentionally inflicting it. The digital switch could be even more sinister vis-a-vis the burning of the Imperial Library in Constantinople. One could lose not only access to their stuff but also knowledge on how to reconnect or even recreate their stuff.
The result would be a whole lot of very, very dependent people seeking “help” from a very, very few. How does that law of supply and demand work? What is economic excess rent? Let the fleecing begin. Developing networks and economies where assets are owned and controlled locally is a counter. Oh, you might also want to stock up on some actual physical “how to” books regarding subsistence living.
This moment of darkness brought to you by “I didn’t think this would be my future when I was working hard in my youth to be an upstanding citizen.” Subscribe now and get a motivational poster showing ripples on an otherwise placid lake with some aspirational trope ruining the view.
AWS has become so large we may need to decide to nationalize it and call it a public utility, but the Trump regime has demonstrated that this would bring its own issues. Perhaps it should be owned by a consortium of all 50 states who appoint a commission to govern it. Honestly, I don’t have an obvious solution.
We’ve crossed the Rubicon regarding digital connectivity and data harvesting. The network effect demonstrated for all to acknowledge and marvel. It will take a truly seismic event to disrupt and rebuild. Pressure will continue to grow during my lifetime. The safeties will lift as my children are just starting to build their own lives. That is the source of my sadness. I also feel a sense of shame when I acknowledge the failure of our collective custodial duty.
It’s my understanding that although Bezos has stepped away from the “management of every day decisions” he’s still getting projects run by him for approval. Word has it Andy Jassey , Bezos handpicked “successor “ runs many things by Jeffy for ultimate approval. Thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention. Bezos is equally as dangerous as the other oligarchs.
Wow…thank you for this great article loaded with information I never knew or thought about.
You're welcome. Thanks for the comment and read :-)
Thanks for the info. I’ve been concerned about the world’s transition from an individual ownership of things model to a leased use of other people’s things model. When one simultaneously realizes the scale of electronic connectivity that enables this transition and the extreme concentration of actual electronic owners, concern should be an appropriate action.
I’ve long feared that a flip of a digital switch will one day separate billions from accessing their leased world. The analog equivalent is finding a locked chain on the door to your house or a boot on your car tire. The recent AWS outage previewed a bit of the pain that would occur and demonstrated the feasibility of intentionally inflicting it. The digital switch could be even more sinister vis-a-vis the burning of the Imperial Library in Constantinople. One could lose not only access to their stuff but also knowledge on how to reconnect or even recreate their stuff.
The result would be a whole lot of very, very dependent people seeking “help” from a very, very few. How does that law of supply and demand work? What is economic excess rent? Let the fleecing begin. Developing networks and economies where assets are owned and controlled locally is a counter. Oh, you might also want to stock up on some actual physical “how to” books regarding subsistence living.
This moment of darkness brought to you by “I didn’t think this would be my future when I was working hard in my youth to be an upstanding citizen.” Subscribe now and get a motivational poster showing ripples on an otherwise placid lake with some aspirational trope ruining the view.
AWS has become so large we may need to decide to nationalize it and call it a public utility, but the Trump regime has demonstrated that this would bring its own issues. Perhaps it should be owned by a consortium of all 50 states who appoint a commission to govern it. Honestly, I don’t have an obvious solution.
We’ve crossed the Rubicon regarding digital connectivity and data harvesting. The network effect demonstrated for all to acknowledge and marvel. It will take a truly seismic event to disrupt and rebuild. Pressure will continue to grow during my lifetime. The safeties will lift as my children are just starting to build their own lives. That is the source of my sadness. I also feel a sense of shame when I acknowledge the failure of our collective custodial duty.
It’s my understanding that although Bezos has stepped away from the “management of every day decisions” he’s still getting projects run by him for approval. Word has it Andy Jassey , Bezos handpicked “successor “ runs many things by Jeffy for ultimate approval. Thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention. Bezos is equally as dangerous as the other oligarchs.
I think you're right about that
👍