Are we thinking broadly enough about dependable systems? Just what are the most influential factors that contribute to dependability? Is it the manufacturing process? Is it circuit design? Or software design? Or network capacity? Or perhaps implementation? The answer could be none of these and most certainly it's changed dramatically from even five years ago. Technology and best practices around its use have evolved to the point where dependable systems are gated by factors that go far beyond one's normal purview. Today, political, cultural and societal issues may well have an equal if not greater impact. We must challenge ourselves to consider all the dimensions of today's world and think about non-obvious relationships. This keynote will challenge the audience to think outside the box and consider the realities of today's world and its impact on dependable systems.