At Dynatrace Perform 2022, Kelsey Hightower and Andreas Grabner discussed the complexities of Kubernetes and the broader context of cloud-native technologies, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and automation in managing these systems. Hightower, a principal engineer at Google and co-founder of KubeCon, uses relatable analogies to explain Kubernetes, comparing it to a postal service that abstracts complexities while ensuring delivery. He stresses that Kubernetes is a foundational platform rather than a complete solution, requiring additional tools for observability and optimization. Grabner highlights how Dynatrace's platform, with its advanced monitoring capabilities, can enhance real-time awareness of complex environments at scale, providing insights into infrastructure and application performance. Hightower recalls past challenges with system troubleshooting, underscoring the real-world impact of service outages on users, such as those relying on electronic benefits transfer systems. The conversation also touched on the transition from infrastructure as code to infrastructure as data, advocating for a declarative approach that simplifies user interactions with complex systems.