Not only used for technology, but infrastructure is also a term that can be applied to the real world too. Infrastructure within technology is usually programmed and not shown; however, when a glitch is present all of the infrastructures of the technology are revealed. For example, when apps such as Snapchat and Instagram crash, the infrastructure that created and programmed them is visible to the public eye. Just a few weeks ago, Instagram and Facebook had a major outage for almost 24 hours, showing their underlying infrastructure. This infrastructure allows people to like Instagram posts and comment on people’s images without any delay or error messages, except when a glitch exposes the infrastructure. In the real world, infrastructure keeps the traffic patterns and life run without a hitch; however, when a glitch such as a traffic jam or an accident occurs, the problems with the infrastructure are revealed. While it cannot be perfect, the infrastructure and glitches allow people to improve upon the basics and build upon them, creating a better overall system.
5 thoughts on “Infrastructure: Gwen Savidge”
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This point about glitches in the physical world is really interesting and something that I hadn’t thought of the consequences of. This made me want to do further research on the influence of glitches in technology and see what other large-scale consequences have occurred due to this phenomenon. One of the most impactful consequences of glitches is financial drain. A 2002 study commissioned by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that software bugs cost the US economy $59.5 billion every year. Furthermore, the study estimated that more than a third of that amount, $22.2 billion, could be eliminated by improved testing.
Information gained from: https://www.pingdom.com/blog/10-historical-software-bugs-with-extreme-consequences/
The idea of having both physical and technological glitches is very eye-opening. I have never considered for there to be “glitches” in the physical world. I’m very interested by the idea that glitches are able to expose the true infrastructure of the system it is a part of. These glitches give us an opportunity to remember that not every infrastructure is perfect. Apps are systems that could breakdown at any moment.
I like how you compared glitches of an infrastructure in technology to glitches of an infrastructure in the physical world. While I have thought about glitches in infrastructure through technology I had never thought of a glitch in the physical world. The term glitch usually strikes me as more of a term that relates to media, such as Instagram not working for all users. The traffic instance is a great example of a real life glitch in a city’s infrastructure. Another example of a glitch in the real world could be power outages. People always take electricity for granted and do not think twice about its presence but when it goes out then we notice that there is a glitch in the city’s infrastructure.
I really like your explanation of how glitches reveal infrastructure in technology. There have been numerous times when my devices experience a glitch, however, I have never thought of this glitch connecting back to a lack of infrastructure. I also really like your connection to social media apps, specifically when you mention likes and comments. Before learning more about the different forms of infrastructural systems, I was unaware that when we show our presence on social media apps, we are proving our working infrastructural systems. I feel that most people are aware of the infrastructure within their devices when the infrastructure is lacking, rather than when it is functioning properly.
Your response really resonated with classmates and opened eyes to new ways of thinking about infrastructure. Nicely done!