What Next: TBD | The AWS Outage is Only the Beginning

Slate Technology

Slate

Society & Culture, Technology, History

4.6 • 636 Ratings

🗓️ 24 October 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week’s AWS outage illustrates just how fragile and vulnerable our interconnected world really is—and how far we’ve fallen from the vision of a decentralized internet. Guest: Samanth Subramanian, author of “The Web Beneath the Waves: The Fragile Cables That Connect Our World.” Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Ever wondered what power is.
0:02.0	Power is transforming the sun into your own energy source.
0:06.0	Power is getting energy companies to pay you.
0:10.0	Power is enjoying your morning coffee, knowing you created the energy to make it.
0:15.0	Well, you and the colossal ball of fire in the sky.
0:19.0	Because with solar panels from Hive, the sun works for you.
0:22.6	Hive, know your power.
0:24.6	May not cover all electricity usage roof and weather dependent.
0:27.6	Paid for surplus requires eligible SEG tariff.
0:29.6	It starts with a swell.
0:31.6	Rich warming pumpkin spice flavors, then a splash.
0:35.6	Hot, freshly pulled espresso.
0:38.4	Starbucks signature, of course.
0:40.3	Whipped cream topping, a dusting of that cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove spice blend.
0:46.4	It ends with a sip.
0:48.1	Hot or iced.
0:50.0	Pumpkin spice latte.
0:51.9	It's here.
0:52.8	And pouring now at Starbucks near you.
0:55.5	Hey, what can I get started for?
0:57.4	Subject to availability while stocks last.
1:04.7	If you're listening to this podcast, there's a decent chance you dealt with some kind of internet outage on Monday.
	...

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