Century-Scale Storage Challenges

Century-scale storage presents unique challenges, particularly given the lack of historical benchmarks for preserving digital data beyond our lifetimes. The discussion begins with the RAMAC drive, an early hard drive, showcasing that while some data has survived for decades, the technological obsolescence and lack of maintenance for parts complicates future access. The podcast highlights that reading data from such legacy devices required substantial collaborative efforts, raising doubts about the reliability of modern storage solutions in 70 years. This context underscores that while today's storage options seem robust, their longevity is questionable, requiring careful planning and foresight.