You Keep Using That Word: Asynchronous And Interprocess Comms - Sam Newman - NDC London 2023

When it comes to distributed computing, one of the perennial topics comes down to how different services should communicate. Working out the relative merits of specific technical approaches can become a complex affair however, so we often reach for categorisation to simplify our work. Often, the discussion around inter-process communication hinges on what on the face of it seems to be a simple decision: Synchronous or Asynchronous.
Unfortunately, it turns out that this is far from a simple assessment of what approach is best. Aside from many nuances around this topic, the main issue is that it seems that people can’t even agree on what asynchronous means! Is it non-blocking clients? Message-broker based communication? Does only inbox-based message passing apply?
In this talk, we’ll explore the meaning of asynchronous in the context of distributed systems, and show that using the same word in ever-so slightly different contexts causes a huge amount of confusion.
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[@valentinwatel1698]

Insightful talk! Again showing how clear communication in different context is crucial

[@williamcrosby1061]

Semantics is the study of meaning semiotics is the study of signs and symbols

[@edgeeffect]

Semantics is a subset of semiotics? ... Because words are symbols too?

[@williamcrosby1061]

@@edgeeffect I believe so but I came across that a couple years ago now. I learned semantics, syntax and pragmatics are all part of semiotics.

[@AaronWoodrow1]

Entertaining talk! But I do think it could have been distilled into a 10-minute lighting talk.

[@RebelZach]

Great talk

[@reallylordofnothing]

At 44:23 Sam concludes that the Old Testament God confused people for no reason at all and hence was a *ick. Here’s the meaning for him Through Genesis, right from chapter one, there is a gradual disintegration of the harmony and order created by God out of disorder. In each chapter of Genesis, the distance between Creator and the created has become wider from the murderous Cain to the wicked people of Noah's time. But the building of the tower tests the patience of God to the limit and beyond. According to the text, at this point all of humanity is still located in the one place. They all speak the same language (v. 6). As descendants of the faithful Noah, they have some cohesion as a people of God, which is their identity. But as the generations pass, the people forget that they owe everything to their Creator. They begin to see their own power as sufficient. So, they build a monument to themselves - to their own pride. Differences of language obviously developed over a very long period as differing groups established themselves in different parts of the earth. On one level, this story is presented literally as an explanation for the many languages of humanity. On another, more profound level, the story recognises that differences of language can accentuate division, strangeness, suspicion and hostility. Each group tries to reach the dominant (or higher) place, where it will reign supreme over other groups. As with the Babylonian ziggurats, when the original people of God tried to use their tower to usurp even the sovereignty of YHWH, God condemned them to the diversity which breeds trouble and confusion. In total contrast to the harmony at the beginning of creation, human groups are scattered over the earth, each with their own language and potential for disharmony as well as harmony.

[@kahnfatman]

I guess humble tech people are very hard to find. Anyways, you are doing the LORD's work in explaining all this brother.

[@ianokay]

Isn't it a bit human and feeble the notion of patience being able to be tested? 🤔

[@AaronWoodrow1]

@@ianokay I don't think the term "patience" is ever used in the context of the story of Babel. You can think of it rather that a threshold had been crossed.

[@animanaut]

im sure akka and erlang folks quote montoya to each other each time they meet 😂

[@edgeeffect]

I can't help but view Sam Newman as "our answer to" Noel Fielding, Russell Brand or Tim Minchin... sorry... sorry. 43:50 ... amusingly, I know of several Jewish philosophers &/or academics and, for that matter, an Old-Testament prophet or two who would completely agree with that statement that The God of The Old Testament was "a bit of a dick".... sorry again... sorry.

[@iamworstgamer]

same old mumbo jumbo, no proper solution, not even hint, worthless talk dont waste your time.

[@GodofStories]

Sounds like Russell Brand lol

[@GodofStories]

has the hair and beard too lol

[@askingalexandriaaa]

LOL@@GodofStories