Behind every simple action that we do everyday is very often something incredibly complex: countless systems and protocols and just tons of stuff that all works together to give you ungrateful folks the perception that everything is simple and seamless. Well… once you dive in, it’s not.
Note: this is not a comprehensive analysis and it missing on many pieces like CDNs, half of the OSI model, most of the complexities of h264 and the fact that other codecs and streaming protocols can be used depending on video and device. But hey, at least you got rickrolled.
Wait until you hear about biochemistry. Every time you put a potato chip in your mouth, an amazing list of things happen in your body. Different organs manage the production on enzymes, pH value of your blood, glucose concentration, movement inside your belly, body temperature, and so on.
If that wasn’t wild enough, take a look at immunology. It’s so complex that we have only scratched the surface. Who knows how deep that rabbit hole goes, but at the moment we can say that when you get a paper cut in your finger, the number of events, processes and interactions involved is gargantuan.
A mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell!
Yeah, that as well, but also a living organism with its own DNA. Yes, you have little bugs living inside your cells. You can freak out now.
And this does not even touch the convoluted ad exchanges that run a bidding war for your every impression, the auction starting when you request the page and it has already ended when Youtube served the winners as two unskippable ads at the beginning of your video.