We get stuck opening the socket

David Crawshaw reflects on the decline of the Unix sockets API's utility in contemporary network programming, attributing it to the rise of the internet and its associated security challenges. While Unix sockets once offered a simple and reliable interface for network communication, issues such as addressing asymmetry, lack of robust authorization, and the need for end-to-end encryption have made them less practical. Crawshaw critiques the cumbersome layers of technology required for secure network communication today, suggesting that beginners face steep learning curves and that the joy of simple socket programming is lost amidst complex security measures. He highlights Tailscale as a promising project to simplify network programming by providing secure, user-friendly connections through the OS sockets API, potentially reshaping the future of network programming by making it more accessible and secure.