Backend development powers everything you do online, but most people have no idea how it actually works. Adam Sparks, software architect and founder of Sparkstone, breaks down the complex systems that run behind every app, website, and digital service—plus why understanding them is crucial for your digital freedom.

What starts as an explanation of basic programming concepts quickly evolves into a deep dive on software architecture, data ownership, and building truly independent digital infrastructure. Adam walks through his journey from middle school coding competitions to architecting enterprise-level 3D visualizations that required massive GPU clusters just to render in browsers. Renee explores the creative aspects of software development, while Damion discovers the invisible complexity that makes every website function.

Backend Development Topics Explored:

* What software architects actually do and how to get there (9:39)

* The middle school programming competition that started it all (12:22)

* UI vs UX: creating buttons vs. knowing where to put them (19:10)

* HTML vs. real programming languages: the heated debate (37:51)

* Everything that happens behind the screen that users never see (42:02)

Digital Freedom & Architecture:

* How federated networks could free your data from corporate control (55:07)

* The truth about digital “ownership” vs. licensing your content (23:33)

* Building your own media server with Jellyfin (26:52)

* Why Signal’s encryption protects even Signal from reading your messages (59:29)

* How Truth Social runs on Mastodon’s open-source code (1:02:28)

Technical Deep Dives:

* Kubernetes clusters running in basements explained (42:11)

* 3D visualization that cost tens of thousands per month in GPU costs (53:57)

* Why Chrome crashes after 20 gigs of memory (52:15)

* The “Federate the Masses” open source project breakdown (55:07)

Going Behind the Curtain: This episode reveals the staggering technical complexity hidden behind simple user interactions. We witness Adam’s passion for digital ownership and privacy, his three-screen setup that makes instant fact-checking possible, and his ambitious vision for a decentralized internet where users control their own data.

The conversation takes fascinating detours through Arthur theme songs, the ethics of digital piracy, and why Portland libraries offer 100 free prints daily. Most revealing is Adam’s honest admission about what keeps him up at night: either avoiding current events or obsessing over the next technical challenge in his federation project.

Whether you’re curious about what software architects actually do, concerned about digital privacy and corporate data control, or want to understand the invisible complexity that makes your favorite apps work, this episode offers insider knowledge that will change how you think about technology.

Connect with Adam:

* Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sparkstonepdx

* Liveframe: a free, photo sharing app for events

* Sparkstone website

Perfect for: Developers interested in software architecture concepts, anyone curious about backend systems. Or people concerned about digital privacy and data ownership, and those wanting to understand the infrastructure that powers modern applications.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com