Episode 240: How Big is Too Big? What the AWS Outage Can Teach Us

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the ripple effects of a major AWS outage and the hidden infrastructure our digital lives depend on. She shares real-world examples of how a single system failure can halt food delivery apps, smart devices, company tools, and even government services. Through the lens of “normal accident theory,” Dr. Janel examines the complexity and tight coupling of massive technological systems and asks when scale becomes a liability rather than an advantage. With relatable analogies and thoughtful questions, this episode invites listeners to reflect on our growing dependence—and trust—in systems we barely understand.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/240