I have a vague memory of a blog post that went somewhat viral among tech enthusiasts, probably over a decade ago. It talked about how the entire technology landscape and the internet can be likened to a precarious house of cards, only held up by the hard work of sysadmins maintaining decades-old code. I think it also mentioned that many people don't recognize this as real work, possibly with a metaphor about digging a hole to China using a spoon. I'm hoping someone else remembers this post or can point me in the right direction. Thanks!
4 Answers
While it might not be a perfect match, you might want to check out this article on managing tech folks. It's got some similar themes. Here’s the link: [Computerworld](https://www.computerworld.com/article/1555366/opinion-the-unspoken-truth-about-managing-geeks.html).
Nice find, but sadly that's not it.
Sounds like a concept that's been discussed a lot in the software world! It’s always about building on the work of others, which can lead to some complex issues, especially as new vulnerabilities come to light. The history of tech is full of these 'house of cards' situations, as many updates can expose flaws in the foundations.
Hey! The comic from XKCD might capture the essence of what you're describing, even if it’s not the exact blog post. It's a popular one in the tech community that illustrates how fragile our digital world can be. Check it out [here](https://xkcd.com/2347/).
Not sure if this is what you're thinking of, but it’s definitely in the same spirit!
That comic was the first thing that came to my mind too!
I came across this interesting read that delves into how everything can easily break down. It might not be the exact post you're thinking of, but it's related: [The Machine Stops](https://web.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/classes/188/materials/the%20machine%20stops.pdf).
Good recommendation! I’ll check it out, but I don’t think it's what I'm looking for.
The author of that piece here! I don't think it's the one you’re searching for, but I vaguely recall what you’re referring to.