The Unseen Heroes of the Hackathon

Hey peeps, let me tell you a cool story about a hackathon in Mexico that was totally lit! So, there was this event that was supposed to be the first all-women’s hackathon in Latin America, and guess what? It turned out to be a family affair! Grandmas and mums showed up to cheer on the hackers, and it was so inspiring to see them being part of the whole thing.

The best part is, these grandmas basically hacked the hackathon! You see, hackathons used to be all about dudes writing code and stuff, and it wasn’t really a thing for women. But now, with all these women showing up, it’s like they’re saying, “Hey, we’re part of this too!” It’s all about breaking down those barriers and making space for everyone.

And you know what? The whole unpaid work that women do at home, taking care of the family and all that, it’s actually part of the whole system that allows men to do their thing in the tech world. It’s like the unsung heroines behind the scenes, making it all possible.

This dude, Héctor Beltrán, went to Mexico and saw all this cool stuff happening, and now he’s written a book about it called “Code Work: Hacking Across the US/México Techno-Borderlands.” In the book, he talks about how coding is not just about writing code; it’s also about reflecting on yourself and your place in society. It’s deep, man.

Beltrán did a bunch of research in Mexico, went to hackathons, did interviews, and checked out the whole tech scene there. He found that in Mexico, coders are all about using tech for social good, while in the US, it’s more about shaking things up and being all disruptive.

But you know what’s cool? Beltrán’s book isn’t just about Mexico; it’s about how different cultures evolve and interact with each other in the global economy. It’s like a big picture kind of thing, you know?

And get this, he’s teaching a class called “Hacking from the South,” where he’s diving into all these complex problems and empowering students to think across disciplines. It’s all about making those connections and taking those perspectives out into the world.

So, if you’re into tech, society, and all that good stuff, you should totally check out “Code Work.” It’s a thought-provoking read that’ll make you see the world in a whole new light.