Inside the global computer crash | The Vergecast

Introduction and pre-vacation preparations (0s)

• David Pierce, host of the Vergecast, is preparing for a two-week vacation by shipping back all the gadgets he has accumulated for work. He has a large collection of devices to send back, including tablets, phones, watches, AR glasses, and even two rabbits.
• Pierce describes the process of packing and shipping as a necessary evil, but one that brings a sense of relief once completed.
• The episode will discuss the global computer crash that occurred on Friday, exploring the cause, implications, and potential solutions. The episode will also feature an interview with the creator of the fitness app Zombies Run, discussing its unique approach to gamification and its positive impact on fitness.

President Biden Drops Out (2m58s)

• The chapter discusses the breaking news of President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris.
• The hosts acknowledge the significant impact of this news on the American election season and express their intention to cover it extensively in the future.
• They decide to postpone a detailed discussion about the news for now, but promise to dedicate a significant portion of their Friday show to politics and policy, including this development.

Global computer outage explained (3m31s)

• On Friday, a widespread computer outage affected various sectors globally, including banks and airlines, causing significant disruption.
• The outage was attributed to a software issue originating from CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company, affecting Windows computers.
• This event has sparked discussions about the world's reliance on technology, particularly specific companies and their products, highlighting the fragility of critical infrastructure and the potential consequences of such outages.

Interview with Tom Warren on the outage (4m30s)

• Tom Warren, a tech journalist, woke up to messages from friends and colleagues about a major outage in Australia. He noticed complaints from IT administrators on Reddit, indicating a widespread issue.
• News reports from Australia began to emerge, highlighting disruptions to banks, supermarkets, and airlines.
• Warren turned on the television and noticed that Sky News was offline, with their tech team confirming a technical issue.
• As the day progressed, the outage spread globally, with airports reporting delays and other businesses experiencing disruptions.
• Warren observed that the initial blame for the outage was placed on Microsoft due to a smaller, unrelated cloud outage that occurred at the same time.

CrowdStrike's role in the outage (6m34s)

• The global computer crash was caused by a faulty update from CrowdStrike, a third-party security firm that provides antivirus software. The update was pushed out to machines around 5:00 a.m. UK time, which was the middle of the workday in Australia, leading to widespread outages there.
• The update was corrupted, causing the CrowdStrike driver to crash and leading to a blue screen of death on affected machines. The issue was exacerbated by the fact that CrowdStrike updates are designed to run in the background, meaning that many machines were affected without users even realizing it.
• The update affected 8.5 million machines, which is less than 1% of all Windows machines, but it impacted critical systems like airport screens and airline operations. Microsoft has been quick to point out that the issue was not caused by Windows itself, but rather by a third-party software.

Fixing the outage (14m59s)

• The initial fix for the global computer crash was manual, requiring individuals to physically reboot each affected machine in safe mode and delete a specific file. This was a time-consuming and inefficient process, especially for critical systems like those used in airports and banks.
• Microsoft developed a recovery tool to automate the process, but it was ineffective for machines protected by BitLocker encryption, which requires a unique recovery key for each device. This further complicated the situation, requiring manual intervention and access to recovery keys.
• The incident has raised concerns about the reliance on third-party vendors like CrowdStrike, which have privileged access to Windows kernels. This access is necessary for security software to function effectively, but it also creates vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the need for better collaboration between Microsoft and security vendors to ensure the stability and security of Windows systems.

The fragility of modern infrastructure (26m45s)

• The conversation highlights the reliance of modern infrastructure on Windows computers, even for critical systems like ATMs and mall signage. This raises concerns about the fragility of such systems, as a single vulnerability could have widespread consequences.
• The speakers discuss the lack of viable alternatives to Windows for these critical systems, with Linux being a potential option but facing its own challenges. The issue of security and the need for specialized versions of Windows for critical infrastructure are also explored.
• The conversation concludes by acknowledging the potential for this event to serve as a wake-up call for improving the resilience of critical infrastructure. The speakers emphasize the importance of prioritizing critical systems and the need for continued monitoring of the situation, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education where budget constraints may lead to less robust infrastructure.

Fitness and the super chill exercise system (32m37s)

• The speaker and V, a colleague at The Verge, share a similar perspective on fitness and the "Quantified Self," which involves tracking one's activity. They both find the constant pressure to achieve streaks, compete on leaderboards, and strive for elite athleticism to be overwhelming and potentially harmful.
• Both the speaker and V started their running journeys with the app Zombies Run, which they both find appealing.
• The speaker introduces the concept of a "super chill exercise system," which aims to promote exercise and fitness without the gamified and potentially toxic aspects of many fitness apps. This system focuses on making exercise enjoyable and sustainable without the pressure to constantly push oneself beyond their limits.
• To discuss this "super chill exercise system" further, the speaker and V interviewed Adrien Han, the creator of Zombies Run. Han worked on the app for over a decade, developing its narrative-driven approach to fitness.
• Zombies Run is described as a fitness app that incorporates storytelling into the exercise experience. It places the user in a post-apocalyptic world where they must complete quests and missions while running, making the activity more engaging and enjoyable.

The concept of Zombies Run (35m11s)

• The speaker found the "Zombies Run" app to be a fun and motivating way to exercise, as it provided a purpose for running by introducing a fictional scenario involving zombies.
• The speaker enjoyed the immersive nature of the app, which distracted them from the physical exertion of running while simultaneously engaging them in a compelling story.
• The speaker highlighted the app's unique ability to create a sense of purpose and immersion, which they found to be unmatched by other running apps.

Interview with Adrian Hon (35m52s)

• Adrian Hon, the creator of Zombies Run, discusses the origins of the game and how it came about. He explains that he was inspired by the early days of the iPhone and the potential for using GPS and sound to create a unique running experience.
• Hon emphasizes that Zombies Run is different from other fitness games because it focuses on storytelling and immersion rather than competition or leaderboards. He believes that traditional gamification methods, like leaderboards and territory capture games, can be demotivating and create anxiety.
• Hon highlights the importance of having fun while exercising and how Zombies Run aims to achieve this by providing a compelling narrative that keeps players engaged and motivated. He acknowledges that the game could have been designed to maximize engagement and microtransactions, but he chose to prioritize a positive and sustainable experience for players.

Personal experiences with fitness apps (50m9s)

• The discussion revolves around the use of gamification in fitness apps and the potential downsides of using streaks and other motivational tactics to keep users engaged. The speakers express concerns about the pressure to constantly improve and the potential for burnout and injury.
• They argue that the focus on metrics and elite performance can be detrimental to overall health and well-being, especially for people with busy lives. They believe that a more sustainable approach to fitness involves finding enjoyable activities and focusing on gradual progress rather than pushing for extreme results.
• The speakers discuss the challenges of creating engaging fitness games that don't rely on gamification tactics like streaks and notifications. They believe that the future of fitness gaming lies in immersive experiences that blend storytelling, role-playing, and physical activity, potentially using AR and VR technology.

The Vergecast Hotline (1h8m5s)

• Keaton from Seattle asks for advice on handheld gaming for new parents. He's considering a dedicated handheld but also has access to Game Pass through his iPhone and iPad.
• The host, Nilay Patel, recommends starting with a phone. He argues that a phone is always readily available, especially for new parents who are often tethered to their babies.
• Nilay emphasizes the convenience of a phone for gaming. It has a wide selection of retro games, is easily accessible, and can be used with a controller like the Backbone. He also points out that phones are often used for other parental tasks like tracking baby's sleep and feeding schedules.
• While a dedicated handheld like the Switch can be useful, Nilay prefers the versatility and accessibility of a phone. He highlights the availability of simple, repetitive games that are perfect for short bursts of play during those long, sleep-deprived nights.
• Nilay encourages listeners to share their own handheld gaming recommendations. He also invites them to submit their "teeny tiny weird Tech Mysteries" for future episodes.