It was the “Crash Heard ‘Round the World.”

Amazon is well known and highly relied upon globally. After all, it seems a person can order just about anything on the app–and through swift “Prime delivery,” it’s irresistible not to take advantage of its ease. The world has become increasingly dependent on Amazon’s extensive web services, encompassing computing, storage, delivery, analytics, databases, artificial intelligence, and beyond. In fact, it’s safe to say that every generation living in a world with Amazon has become accustomed to its benefits. Yet, this level of reliance on the internet raises concerns.

As most may recall, on Oct. 20, Amazon’s Web Services experienced a major outage. The crash exposed the fragility of the global cyberworld, despite technological advances. These issues stemmed from Amazon’s core database layer, which serves as the foundation for many cloud services that rely on it for operation. The cloud infrastructure that Amazon utilizes is public and operates by globally recognized companies, such as Microsoft. However, multiple companies using the same database can cause small flukes, having the capacity to take down several global servers with a single error. Despite the ever-growing technology, human error remains. The question must be asked: Is it feasible to remain so dependent on the internet?

The infamous saying that “time is money” is a driving factor for today’s generations. Instead of a two-hour grocery store run, using online services retrieves the same goods as in-store, saving time and eliminating stress. Due to the exponential growth of online shopping–most notably Amazon–grocery stores have seen unsettling decreases in profit. Often, it becomes easy to overlook the instability and negativity the internet brings, because it holds such tantalizing advantage. Yet, overpowering companies hold scandals deeper than technological error. These controversies lie within the envy and greed of their leadership. 

At a large corporate level, criticism is promised. Amazon has faced its own multiple times–including Jeff Bezos’ affair, blackmail allegation, and Amazon’s unethical workplace behaviors. Surrounded by pessimism, a small issue could lead to the complete downfall of a large corporation. The integration of scandal and technological error fosters the cancel culture via social media that today’s generations quickly adopt. Cancel culture causes severe repercussions, sometimes resulting in the termination of a business or occupations. A society that demands the most economically is quick to boycott the gigantic corporations that keep the economy afloat. 

The recent AWS outage has revealed that the world is far too reliant on Amazon and other major cloud providers. From scandals to web fragility, the parasitic relationship the globe has with the internet and social media continues to become increasingly atrocious. Society’s cyber world inextricably intertwines itself: If one major infrastructure falls, the internet as an entirety is at risk. This is what the world witnessed with this particular October outbreak. Granted, this heavy reliance offers immense benefits, but it also introduces the significant vulnerabilities and risks showcased by this crash. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Don’t allow surface benefits to blind oneself from the dark underside of the internet.

With Black Friday on the horizon, it will be interesting to see just how dark those possibilities may be.