EPISODE · Jun 17, 2026 · 31 MIN
The Astronaut Who Accidentally CC'd the Whole Internet: How Reply-All Broke a Space Agency
from Code Curiosities · host Podcaster
In 1997, a single misaddressed email at NASA spiraled into a 45-minute network blackout that grounded real mission work — and it wasn't the last time 'Reply All' brought a giant organization to its knees. This week we dig into the beautiful chaos of email, why a technology designed to be simple has caused billions of dollars in damage, and the surprisingly human reason your inbox still works exactly the way it did in 1971. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In 1997, a single misaddressed email at NASA spiraled into a 45-minute network blackout that grounded real mission work — and it wasn't the last time 'Reply All' brought a giant organization to its knees. This week we dig into the beautiful chaos of email, why a technology designed to be simple has caused billions of dollars in damage, and the surprisingly human reason your inbox still works exactly the way it did in 1971.
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The Astronaut Who Accidentally CC'd the Whole Internet: How Reply-All Broke a Space Agency
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