You would get a SocketError exception from getaddrinfo because HTTParty (which uses Net::HTTP) can't lookup the hostname. If the hostname is already resolved, you'd get a Errno::EHOSTUNREACH exception from connect because there is no route to Google's servers.

Leaky abstraction

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/LeakyAbstractions.htm...

Hey, I didn't say it was awesome, I was just reporting what actually happens. :)