Kubernetes-Native ≠ Cloud Native: Avoiding Architecture Theater - Prerit Munjal, Groupon

This talk by Prerit Munjal from Groupon discusses the critical distinction between Kubernetes-native deployments and true cloud-native architecture. It highlights common pitfalls, including the dangers of blindly adopting Kubernetes features like controllers, CRDs, and operators, which can complicate systems and obscure ownership. The speaker shares real-world examples and lessons learned, illustrating what genuine cloud-native practices look like concerning observability, service contracts, and failure recovery. By re-examining the architecture of applications, the talk emphasizes the importance of prioritizing meaningful outcomes over trendy orchestration jargon.