Imagine, before you continue, for a brief moment that you could read, but not write. What would that mean to you? After all, it’s not that far-fetched. When it comes to computers, most of us know how to use them, but only few know how to tell them to do exactly what we want them to do. We read, but we don’t write. And while not everyone needs to become a programmer, having a basic understanding of «computational thinking» will be key in our technology-driven future. The good news: If you know how to cook, you’ve made your first steps in «computational thinking». For more, read this excellent text on coding as the new literacy.

The technology we build always reflects (and reinforces) mindsets, often without us knowing or consciously noticing it. Photography provides a striking example: Films used to be optimised for white skin at the expense of darker skin colors. The technical bias was finally addressed, ironically, not because of black people, but because white advertisers needed images of chocolate and wood furniture to look better. Syreeta McFadden’s article is also a personal story: What it means for a child when you don’t recognise yourself on photographs. A great read.