The Rise of Feminine Cyberdecks: A Jewel-Toned Resistance Against Big Tech
When I reach out to the self-proclaimed “open source baddie” CC for an interview, I’m pretty sure she’s emailing me back from a pink mermaid purse.
“I’m just having so much fun,” she tells me about her seashell cyberdeck. “It’s a Tamagotchi. It’s also an e-reader. It’s networked to my vault and my servers, so it has access to all of my server data, which has all my PDFs, and books, and notes, and everything… It’s also connected to my local AI setup at home.”
Empowering Women Through DIY Tech
CC has no background in software engineering or computer science, but she’s gotten good enough at building unconventional cyberdecks — small DIY computers — that she documents the process on her blog Bimbo Tech. This initiative aims to inspire other women, even those who may not yet know what RAM is.
The concept of the cyberdeck originated in William Gibson’s 1984 sci-fi novel, “Neuromancer.” With the advent of credit card-sized computers like the Raspberry Pi in the 2010s, hardware enthusiasts began experimenting with building their own cyberdecks. Over recent months, these niche communities have markedly expanded, particularly as women on social media teach each other to create artistic and hyper-feminine cyberdecks.
Aesthetic Meets Functionality
“I have a running joke that there’s this underlying misogyny in tech — because whenever they release a pro model, or an elite model… I’m always like, let me guess, it’s black or silver,” CC said. “It’s never going to come in pink.”
The customization of cyberdecks has become an art form in itself. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase creative builds, from a wooden and moss cyberdeck running Game Boy Color games to a Barbie dollhouse concealing a fully functional mini-computer. “I don’t want Meta AI glasses. I want to pirate books in a tiny embellished shell,” TikTok creator Sarahbelle Kim stated. “No one can surveil you there.”
CC’s cyberdeck during the building process
Image Credits:CC / Bimbo Tech
A Bold Rejection of Silicon Valley Culture
The aesthetic motivation behind these girly cyberdecks is evident: why not use a Hello Kitty purse to check your email? Yet, the creators emphasize that their endeavor is not solely about aesthetics. It comes at a time when many feel disenfranchised by the homogeneity of big tech. “I think that’s such a refreshing thing for people who were sold these devices that are like Apple’s…” CC mentioned, “If you try to jailbreak it, if you try to do anything to this phone that you paid $1,000 for, that you own, it’s out of warranty.”
Tinkering with Old Tech
Maro Vardanyan, a blockchain developer, has a unique approach to cyberdecks. “A few months ago, I just started as a hobby making art and jewelry pieces and purses with recycled or upcycled old computers I had,” she shared. This transformation from recycling to creating wearable technologies drew her fascination towards preserving old computing pieces in trendy formats like purses and corsets.
Image Credits:Maro Vardanyan
Vardanyan refers to her creations as “crocheting with computers” or “macrame motherboards,” paying tribute to the vital role of textile work in the evolution of early computing. She notes that before silicon processors, copper wiring and textile techniques powered some of the earliest computers, such as those used by NASA in the Apollo missions.
Image Credits:Maro Vardanyan
Fostering Inclusivity in Tech
These communal efforts are notable as they challenge traditional tech culture. “Ten years ago, I would walk into a conference, there would be three girls, and people would literally just be like, ‘Were you hired for the marketing team?’” Vardanyan reminisces. “I can’t even tell you how amazing it is seeing so many girls all over my social media and Instagram being into hardware, being into software, and then educating each other.”
Ultimately, projects like CC’s mermaid purse computer and Vardanyan’s Raspberry Pi corset not only assert a feminine presence in the tech world but also represent a form of radical ownership. They signify a conscious choice to step beyond functionality and embrace creativity, embodying a unique rejection of Silicon Valley’s polished aesthetics.
For more information and insights about this emerging trend, visit the full article Here.
Image Credit: techcrunch.com
