Fallthrough

Dive into the clash of ideologies between New Jersey's simplicity and MIT's pursuit of perfection. Discover how Go reflects this tension, with its pragmatic design choices and recent shifts towards correctness. The hosts explore the pitfalls of semantic versioning and the impact of idealism on electric vehicle adoption. They critique the trend of new languages that fail to solve real problems, advocating for a pragmatic approach that embraces practicality over idealism. Tune in for insights on dependency management and the future of programming.

Kris and Matthew dive into the mediocrity that plagues the tech industry, questioning if innovation is just hype. They dissect the frustrations within the Go community while critiquing paternalism in design. A discussion on accountability reveals how industry changes often gloss over deeper issues. The hosts connect repeated mistakes in AI and crypto to a wider pattern of failure driven by hype. They emphasize that popularity doesn't equal quality, showcasing that some widely used tech is still mediocre. Genuine innovation does exist, but the value of unflashy systems is also acknowledged.

This discussion dives into a recent Cloudflare outage and a critical vulnerability in React that poses significant risks. The hosts explore how project management should shift from task execution to proactive risk management, emphasizing the importance of including domain experts early. They also reflect on supply chain vulnerabilities using the DDR5 example and critique rigid processes, advocating for cultural flexibility and bottom-up decision-making. Expect insights on effective estimating and planning strategies that can enhance project outcomes.

Exploring the impact of libghostty, the hosts dive into how new AI models like Opus 4.5 and Gemini are reshaping the tech landscape. They discuss the balance of convenience and privacy, particularly regarding data accessibility from major players like Google. The conversation also touches on the challenges of using AI for software specifications and personal financial planning. With a vision for modernizing terminal experiences, they argue for richer user interfaces and standardization across platforms. Plus, a pragmatic take on AI's role underscores its potential as a powerful tool.

This cannot keep happening. Another day, another outage. On this week's episode Kris and Matt talk about the recent Cloudflare outage. And boy do they have thoughts, we really hope you enjoy this exchange of monologues.If you prefer to watch this episode, you can view it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LsOgDolc9FwThis week's episode of break continues the conversation, with a few more monologues and some thinking about the state of things. Watch it on YouTube or listen with your favorite podcasting app! Learn more by going to https://break.show/17.And we've got bonus content for our supporters, where you'll hear about the Cloudflare outage in a bit more depth and hear the duos take on being a generalist versus a specialist. Not a supporter yet? Fix that today by heading over to https://fallthrough.fm/subscribe where you'll get not only extra content but also higher quality audio. Sign up today!Thanks for tuning in and happy listening!Table of Contents:Prologue (00:00:00)Chapter 1: The Cloudflare Outage (00:02:17)Chapter 2: Too Much Centralization? (00:20:24)Chapter 3: Communication Matters (00:26:22)Chapter 4: Magic Numbers Take Down The Internet [Extended] (00:29:50)Chapter 5: Programming Language Hate and AI versus Tools (00:30:19)Chapter 6: The Generalist and The Specialist [Extended] (00:49:29)Epilogue (00:50:03)Hosts Kris Brandow - Host Matthew Sanabria - Host Socials:WebsiteBlueskyThreadsX/TwitterLinkedInInstagram (00:00) - Prologue (02:17) - Chapter 1: The Cloudflare Outage (02:52) - Chapter 2: Too Much Centralization? (26:22) - Chapter 3: Communication Matters (26:43) - Chapter 4: Magic Numbers Take Down The Internet [Extended] (30:19) - Chapter 5: Programming Language Hate and AI versus Tools (35:05) - Chapter 6: The Generalist and The Specialist [Extended] (50:03) - Epilogue

The panel dives deep into the marketing failures surrounding AI and blockchain, highlighting how overpromising often misrepresents innovation. They explore the nuances of adopting AI, distinguishing between basic use and advanced applications. The discussion critiques sci-fi comparisons to AI while emphasizing LLMs as advanced reference tools. Practical applications of AI in writing and coding are showcased, alongside the importance of iterative dialogue with technology. They also caution against vague AGI claims and examine risks tied to infrastructure.

Dive into the identity crisis of software engineering where some aspire to be artists while others cling to traditional roles. Kris and Matt explore the issues plaguing the industry, from rushed MVPs leading to poor user experiences to the pitfalls of project management. They tackle the challenge of invisible maintenance in software and the need for deliberate tool choices. The conversation highlights the importance of holistic planning and the evolving role of AI in enhancing team productivity. Tune in for insights that challenge the status quo!

The hosts dive into the surge of cloud outages from major providers like AWS and Azure, analyzing the causes and implications. They discuss the intricacies of DNS failures and the cascading effects on service performance. Debates ensue over the risks of centralized systems and the need for localized alternatives. Insightful critiques of cloud incident reports are shared, along with thoughts on the value of AI-assisted code reviews. With a mix of humor and technical depth, they explore whether traditional big tech careers are still worth pursuing.

Steve Klabnik, a prominent open-source developer known for his work in the Rust ecosystem, dives into the innovative features of JJ, a new version control system. He shares insights about his transition from Oxide to East River Source Control to work on JJ full time. The discussion highlights JJ's pluggable backends, which allow for an easier switch from Git. Steve also explains how JJ simplifies workflow with auto-snapshots and focused commits, while addressing challenges in moving away from established tools. Plus, he teases plans for a new JJHub service!

Cory O'Daniel, CEO of MassDriver and co-founder of OpenTofu, dives into the evolving landscape of DevOps. He discusses the ongoing relevance of the cloud promise and the significance of on-prem infrastructure. The conversation highlights the complex relationship between DevOps teams and platform engineering, emphasizing the importance of keeping technology choices simple to avoid unnecessary complexity. Cory also addresses the skills gap in operations and the critical role of apprenticeships in bridging this divide.