It started with Arjen doing the last lightning talk at OSDC 2008… a quick show of hands on who else had dealt with (or was dealing with) depression. Everybody had a look around, and thus knew that they weren’t alone. Afterwards, there was more positive feedback which continued over email in the days that followed. Someone suggested starting a group, and the same day bluehackers.org was born.
The objective of this initiative is to make visible that there are many fellow geeks among us who are intimately familiar with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. It helps to know you’re not alone. And it’s not because we’re geeks, but because we’re human. The Australian BeyondBlue site is of course an excellent resource, but, because geeks have a specific work environment, there are also particular challenges in dealing with these issues, and that’s where we feel our group can help with additional insights, tips, and posts from others with experience. Using the logo, we can also make the topic visible at meetings and conferences around the world, ensuring that indeed no geek need feel alone in this, or feel unsupported. They can simply look around and see. Anybody will be able to show their support and understanding, in a kind and non-intrusive manner.
The bluehackers.org logo is derived from the Hacker Emblem, which in turn is based on the Glider from Conway’s Game of Life. In our version, the glider moves towards more freedom, and from the darker into a lighter region. You get the idea… appropriate banners and other artwork will come, as will expressions of the logo on appropriate media. Please don’t just go off on your own creating swag, contact us. Same applies if you would like to be involved in another capacity (such as contributing on the website – and yes you can do that anonymously), or if you would like to help pay for t-shirts, stickers and other goodies. Thanks!
You can reach us at: i n f o (at) b l u e h a c k e r s (dot) o r g
November 4th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Hi,
I just wanted to pop in and say thank you….
I found your site a few days ago, and like many I’ve been sparring with the black dog on and off for some time. By nature I have always been a bit of a hermit which doesn’t really help I guess.
Reading through the articles here so many things ring true – I know much of the advice can be found in other places – god knows I have read enough of it before and discusseed much of it with people qualified to help.
Somehow – presented as it is here – from people that understand how some of us think – it seems somehow far more real.
Thank you so much – I know I will be a regular visitor here and I’m sure your efforts will help many more than just me.
Cheers, Mark
March 5th, 2010 at 5:58 am
http://bluehackers.org/feed not working.
I love the site, but why no updates?
thank you for your articles
June 19th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
biju – I think the feed is working perfectly fine – it is just that no-one has posted content for a while. For many blue hackers the balance needs to be made between work, family, friends, open source projects, geek-based associations and, then, finding time to contribute. Thanks for your interest in Blue Hackers – it is great to know that it is being used.