The Amazon Builders' Library article "Using load shedding to avoid overload" by David Yanacek explains the concept of load shedding as a mechanism to prevent system overload and maintain predictable performance. Load shedding involves intentionally rejecting excess incoming requests to reduce the system's availability, but allowing it to maintain consistent performance for accepted requests. This approach can help prevent client-side timeouts and improve overall system reliability. The article discusses various testing strategies, including load tests, and provides guidance on implementing load shedding mechanisms, such as tracking request latency and using timeout hints. It also highlights the importance of visibility and monitoring in optimizing load shedding and suggests using operating system features to limit server resource usage.