Why Do Hand-Wringers Ignore Technology and Its Benefits?

Often, critics and hand-wringers focus on the inherent risks and challenges of modern technologies like Twitter, Facebook, and AWS. However, they overlook the fundamental benefits and flexibility that these technologies offer. Just as Parler, a platform that struggled with regulatory issues, could have benefited from understanding and utilizing these technologies, learning and implementing them can empower individuals and small entities to build robust, cost-effective server platforms.

The Case of Parler: Understanding Technical Decisions

Parler, initially a free speech alternative to the major social networks, found itself in a significant predicament. In January 2021, it faced a 50,000% increase in usage following the events surrounding the Capitol attack. Parler's choice to choose AWS (Amazon Web Services) for its infrastructure decision has been analyzed and criticized in some quarters.

But the reasons behind their decision can be understood in the context of 21st-century cloud computing. AWS offered Parler a scalable, cost-effective solution that allowed them to pay as they went, rather than overinvesting in infrastructure. In a sense, Parler made the right technical choice given the situation. Their monthly AWS bill stayed under $1,000 for months, aside from the brief spike that reached $300,000.

The Challenges of Traditional Hosting

Contrastingly, if Parler had chosen to host its platform in the "old way" from the 1990s, they would face two major challenges. Firstly, they would need to overpay for server capacity, possibly leading to financial strain. Secondly, they would run the risk of hitting capacity limits as their user base grew. Both scenarios are far from ideal and highlight the inefficiencies of traditional hosting methods compared to modern cloud solutions like AWS.

Technological advancements like cloud computing provide a more efficient and scalable solution. However, it's important to note that the choice is far from absolute. For businesses with predictable loads or the ability to use excess capacity, maintaining their own servers can be more economical. This is why many companies opt to sell their own IT services, leveraging their expertise to offer scalable solutions at a competitive price.

The Case for Self-Hosting: Flexibility and Control

One can argue that building and maintaining a server farm offers greater control and flexibility. If you have a stable, predictable workload, self-hosting can indeed be more cost-effective. Additionally, businesses can benefit from renting out excess capacity, generating additional revenue. However, this choice also carries risks. Renting servers can still involve external providers, which may terminate services if they decide a customer is no longer viable.

For example, Parler would have needed to connect their own server farm to the internet, potentially facing the same risks as AWS. If there was no contract to ensure continued service, Parler could still be left in a similar position, particularly if it couldn't pay its bills on time.

Conclusion: Embracing Technology and Its Benefits

In conclusion, while Parler’s decision to rely on AWS was criticized, it was a practical choice given their rapid growth and financial constraints. Understanding and leveraging contemporary technologies like AWS can provide significant benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness and scalability. It's important for hand-wringers and critics to also recognize the advantages these technologies offer and how they can empower individuals and small entities to build resilient and efficient platforms.

Whether one chooses to host on the cloud or maintain their own infrastructure, the key is to have a well-informed and strategic approach. The internet is a simple and democratic platform, and with the right education and tools, anyone can create a robust server platform to meet their needs.