Issue 39

the Week of July 25, 2016
Architectural drawings for a panopticonic prison. Radiating cells from a center surveillance tower. Via photographer: "proposed prison at outram in 1880s by colonial engineer JFA McNair. unbuilt or unbuildable."

In this issue, we explore the consequences of exclusion in the rise of blockchain technology. We discuss common internal and external challenges of building connection with other minorities in the industry. We look at feminist applications of drone technology, and share a two-part feature interview on worker’s organization and unionization in Silicon Valley: the ongoing fight for affordable housing, living wages and better work environments. Plus, a dating site for queer people launching soon, and a new initiative to support diversity in games. Photo CC-BY jiattison, cropped.

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from a bluff facing the city; San Francisco's high-rises are visible between the bridge beams on a slightly foggy day.

INTERVIEW: Inside the Movement For Silicon Valley’s “Invisible Workforce”

"As folks talk about the booming economy and the wealth and incredible jobs that tech is creating, the folks that are being left behind are the invisible workforce, are people of color. "

by Maria Noel Fernandez & Julian Posadas & Matt Schaefer
Ariel view of Silicon Valley: grids of housing and greenery bisected by roads, the tip of the airplane wing just visible in the right-hand corner.

INTERVIEW: Inside the Movement For Silicon Valley’s “Invisible Workforce,” Part II

"...we will always win when we take on fights or campaigns like this, because we know that our fight is relational. We can build coalitions, we can build relationships, and that’s what makes us twice as strong. The opposition is about dollars and figures. "

by Maria Noel Fernandez & Julian Posadas & Matt Schaefer
A small drone with four sets of propellers flying against a sunset.

Drone Feminism: When Feminists Get a Drone

What if we were able to harness technology independent of military and carceral dictation of the movement? How can we think about technologies in ways that would be helpful to women, not used as violence against us?

by Lauren Chief Elk-Young Bear
A group of four Black and brown gamers sitting in a living room, watching one of their group, holding a game controller, play intently.

A New Way to Support Diversity in Games: Introducing Found Loot!

"Sometimes all you need is a little boost to keep going, so we're trying to do that.”

by The Editor & Tanya DePass
A woman of color alone in a dark room, laptop screen illuminating her face.

The Struggle to Connect With Other Minorities in Tech

Why is it that so many of us in underrepresented groups fail to create connections with one another, when we are just a few feet away from each other?

by Tonya Edmonds
The Thurst logo: the name with a large, bubbly teal illustration of a drop of water.

Thurst Prepares For Launch: The First Dating App for Queer People of All Genders

My hope is that we can allow folks to express the truths of their existence and be their full selves while seeking to connect with others.

by Morgen Bromell
A series of Bitcoin and blockchain charm logos strewn together on a chunky bronze jewelry chain.

Building A Cultural Dialogue Around The Permanent, Blockchain Web

Blockchain's scorecard on diversity is no better than the rest of the tech world. In fact, it is arguably worse.

by Emma Stamm

This issue is made possible in part by some of our generous readers: Omar Malik, Sean Miller, Brian Gesiak, Luis Bruno and Jacques Labuschagne.

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