Topic: Ticketmaster

The modern internet relies heavily on "microservices"—subsystems like Snowflake or CrowdStrike that perform specific tasks for larger platforms. When these centralized services fail, they can trigger cascading outages across unrelated industries, highlighting the risks of a "microservices architecture" where core boot processes are dependent on external third-party updates.

Senator Bernie Sanders faced criticism during his "It's Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism" book tour for selling tickets through Ticketmaster for as much as $95. Sanders defended the pricing, claiming the decisions were made by the publisher and that he does not personally profit from the events. Additionally, Sanders reiterated his support for Bill Gates' proposal to tax robots, arguing that technology should benefit workers through reduced work weeks rather than just increasing corporate profits.

Bruce Springsteen fans are outraged over Ticketmaster's "dynamic pricing" model, which has seen some tickets for his upcoming tour reach $5,000. In other news, the Seattle chapter of the Audubon Society is dropping "Audubon" from its name due to the namesake's historical ties to slavery. This move is part of a broader trend of "canceling" historical figures, which comedian Bill Burr recently critiqued in his latest stand-up special.

Medical ethicist Arthur Kaplan argues that vaccine passports are an inevitable tool for controlling COVID-19 outbreaks, comparing them to existing yellow fever vaccination requirements for international travel. Venues like Madison Square Garden and companies like Ticketmaster are cited as early adopters of such verification systems.

The concept of a "new normal" is transitioning into a biosecurity state where digital health passes, developed by companies like IBM and Clear, will be required for entry into stadiums and concerts. Ticketmaster and the Australian government are exploring smartphone verification systems for vaccination status, signaling a future where movement is contingent on digital health credentials.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was hit in the face with a lemon meringue pie during a leadership speech in Perth. The incident follows Joyce's public statements regarding mandatory vaccinations for international travelers. Additionally, Ticketmaster clarified that while they are developing digital health verification tools, the final decision on entry requirements rests with individual event venues.

Ticketmaster announced plans to integrate digital health verification into its ticketing process, potentially requiring fans to prove vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test via mobile apps. The system would utilize third-party health data firms like Clear and IBM to verify medical records without Ticketmaster storing the data directly. Debate persists over whether this constitutes a "vaccine passport" and if such measures are legally discriminatory or economically viable for event venues.