notities

Today is Ada Loveday Day, and even though I don’t write for this blog very often, I felt I should take part. Working in technology still is something many girls don’t want to do because they feel it’s not for them. We need more role models! Women like Leah Buechley and Lady Ada.

Leah Buechley is the inventor of the Lilypad Arduino, a small, goodlooking version of the Arduino that can be used with fabric to create e-fashion. The (Liliypad) Arduino is a great introduction to technology for those who are afraid it’s just for nerds (which isn’t true, of course). Last year I attended a workshop by Leah at Mediamatic in Amsterdam which was great.

Lady Ada wrote a very entertaining and useful introduction to working with the Arduino. She also sells components.

What I love about these women is the way they make working with technology both accessible and fun. When I was in high school I used to hate physics class. If I’d known about (Lilypad) Arduino’s I’m sure that would have been different.

After watching Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED talk (previous post) I decided to read her book Eat, Pray, Love. And it left me somewhat disappointed. Sure it was an entertaining read, but she also comes across as incredibly self-absorbed, self-obsessed and self-indulgent. I don’t think I’d recommend the book.