In a world where Silicon Valley’s glossy image often hides its dark underbelly, women in tech continue to fight battles that many in the industry would rather keep under wraps. The narratives of exclusion, sexism, and underrepresentation persist—even as extraordinary women build empires, break barriers, and redefine what it means to be a leader in technology. This column is for those who are done with the sanitized stories and are ready to confront the raw, unfiltered truth.

The Harsh Reality: A Boys’ Club That Still Rules

Despite the well-publicized success stories, the tech industry remains dominated by a “boys’ club” culture that devalues the contributions of women and nonbinary individuals. Recent research shows that women hold only 15% of C-suite roles in NASDAQ-100 tech companies, with even shorter tenures compared to their male counterparts, who average more than four years in leadership positions. This isn’t just a number—it’s a stark reminder of the systemic barriers that continue to push women out of decision-making roles and force them into burnout and attrition.

Stories from within the industry reveal a culture where “tech bros” not only dominate boardrooms but also police behavior on events like the Grace Hopper Celebration, where women report being sidelined, harassed, and even physically pushed aside. These experiences expose a toxic undercurrent that stifles innovation and perpetuates inequity.

Moreover, scandals like the one involving WiseTech’s founder—where leadership failed to protect women from predatory behavior—highlight a broader failure in nurturing safe, inclusive environments. When the highest echelons of tech prioritize profit over people, it sends a dangerous message to all aspiring women in the field.

Success Stories: Pioneers and Young Innovators Leading the Charge

Amid these challenges, there are countless inspiring examples of women who have not only survived the toxic culture but have thrived and led transformative change. Susan Wojcicki, once Google’s advertising visionary and later YouTube’s CEO, left an indelible mark on the tech world. Her advocacy for paid parental leave and diversity reshaped corporate policies and inspired a generation of women to believe that they can excel at the highest levels—even in a male-dominated industry.

Similarly, trailblazers like Joelle Pineau of Meta have become central figures in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Pineau’s work—starting from her early days at Waterloo to now leading Meta’s AI research division—demonstrates that with persistence and the right support, women can steer the future of even the most complex technologies.

Across the spectrum, young innovators are emerging. Keren Skariah, a 19-year-old data science freshman, co-led her university’s first hackathon for female and nonbinary students, challenging the myth that STEM is only for the “boring” or “geeky” types. And Ava Flanigan from Spelman College is boldly questioning biases in AI while championing the need for diverse data sets that truly reflect our multifaceted world.

Even at just 16, Annie Rogers from Queensland is making waves by running two companies and inventing a communication device that gives non-verbal individuals a voice. Her entrepreneurial spirit and determination to foster inclusivity in tech not only challenge the status quo but also offer hope for a future where gender does not determine success.

What Needs to Change: Building Cultures That Celebrate Diversity

The status quo won’t change by itself. For the tech industry to truly evolve, companies must dismantle entrenched biases and cultivate cultures that support—and celebrate—diversity. This means rethinking hiring practices, creating clear progression pathways, and implementing robust mentorship programs that do more than just pay lip service to inclusion.

At companies like Logitech, leaders such as Delphine Donné are proving that an inclusive culture isn’t a myth. With a leadership team that’s roughly 50/50 in gender balance, Donné’s example shows that diversity in decision-making leads to creativity and better business outcomes. It’s not just about filling quotas—it’s about fundamentally shifting how organizations think about talent and innovation.

But the change needs to start at every level—from boardrooms and tech hubs to classrooms and coding boot camps. Institutions must invest in diversity training, support networks, and initiatives that empower young women to break into STEM fields. Only then can we begin to challenge the “bro code” that has long stifled the potential of millions.

The Call for Action: Your Role in Shaping the Future

To every woman, nonbinary person, and ally in tech: your voice matters, and your presence is essential. The narrative is shifting—though slowly—and it’s time for you to be a part of that change. Demand better from your employers, support your peers, and never settle for a system that tells you you’re less than you are.

Speak up, mentor others, and push for transparency and accountability in every facet of the tech industry. Challenge the outdated structures that keep innovation hostage. Together, we can rewrite the rules and build a tech ecosystem that is as inclusive as it is revolutionary.

The journey is far from over, and the road ahead is rugged. But in our Uncensored column, we celebrate the fighters, the innovators, and the trailblazers who refuse to be silenced. Let’s break the chains of bias and build a future where everyone, regardless of gender, has an equal chance to shape the digital world.

In sharing these truths, we honor both the struggles and the triumphs of women in tech. We refuse to let sanitized narratives obscure the raw reality—and we invite you to join us in this ongoing revolution.

Catch you in the next edition of

Sony is dropping the price of its “slim” PS5 digital edition by $70, making it more budget-friendly for the holiday season. Normally priced at $449.99, this model will be available for $379.99 until December 24, as advertised in a recent promotion.

This holiday discount brings the slim digital PS5 close to the original launch price of $399.99 for the first PS5 digital model. A note in the ad specifies that the lower price applies only to the disc-free version, meaning the model with a built-in disc drive will still start at $499.99. However, the discounted pricing allows you to buy a slim digital PS5 and Sony’s separate $79.99 disc drive, essentially creating a PS5 with a disc drive for around $40 less.

For additional savings, you could consider a refurbished PS5. Sony offers a digital refurbished unit for $349.99 and one with a disc drive for $399.99, though these models feature the original, larger (and arguably less attractive) design.

At the higher end, Sony’s $699.99 PS5 Pro is also an option, although it doesn’t include a disc drive, and its value may vary depending on your viewing distance from the screen.

In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have launched the world’s first wooden satellite into space to explore the material’s suitability for orbit. Named LignoSat, derived from the Latin for “wood,” the satellite was sent into space on a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday. It will later be deployed into orbit, where researchers will observe how the wood withstands the extreme conditions of space over a period of six months.

The initiative, a collaboration between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, began in 2020. In 2022, they conducted exposure tests aboard the ISS for over 240 days, ultimately selecting Hoonoki, a type of Magnolia wood known for its strength, stability, and workability. This wood is traditionally used in Japan for crafting sword sheaths due to its shatter-resistant properties, according to Reuters.

Since space is devoid of water and oxygen, the wood is shielded from fire and decay, Kyoto University scientists explain. Additionally, they will evaluate the wood’s potential to protect semiconductors from space radiation, Reuters reports.

“If our wooden satellite succeeds, we plan to propose it to Elon Musk’s SpaceX,” said Takao Doi, an astronaut and professor at Kyoto University. The team envisions that wooden satellites could reduce space pollution, as they would not emit aluminum oxide when burning up upon re-entry, unlike traditional metal satellites. Over the next 50 years, Doi’s team envisions growing wood for timber-based habitats on the Moon and Mars. “With timber, a material we can cultivate ourselves, we could construct homes and sustain life in space indefinitely,” Doi told Reuters.