Στο πρώτο επεισόδιο του 20% Breakroom για το 2025, κάνουμε μια ανασκόπηση του 2024 και συζητούμε τις σημαντικότερες τάσεις που περιμένουμε να δούμε το 2025. Από τη μαζική ενσωμάτωση της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης σε όλες τις πτυχές της τεχνολογίας, μέχρι τις φουτουριστικές εξελίξεις από τον Elon Musk και τις νομικές πιέσεις που δέχονται οι τεχνολογικοί γίγαντες, αυτό το επεισόδιο τα έχει όλα!
Σε αυτό το επεισόδιο εξερευνούμε την ιστορία πίσω από την πιο απομακρυσμένη ανθρώπινη δημιουργία, τα διαστημόπλοια Voyager 1 και Voyager 2, που εκτοξεύθηκαν το 1977 και συνεχίζουν να ταξιδεύουν στο διαστρικό διάστημα. Εστιάζουμε στον ρόλο μιας ομάδας γυναικών προγραμματιστριών, γνωστών ως “τα κορίτσια της Helen”, που κατάφεραν με μόλις 69,63 KB μνήμης και καινοτόμο προγραμματισμό να κάνουν πραγματικότητα το “Grand Tour” του ηλιακού μας συστήματος.
Αυτό το επεισόδιο αποτίνει φόρο τιμής στις γυναίκες που, μέσα από τον κώδικα που έγραψαν, έστειλαν το μήνυμα της ανθρωπότητας στα βάθη του σύμπαντος.
Μπορείτε να μάθετε περισσότερα για τις γυναίκες του JPL εδώ: https://women.jpl.nasa.gov/
In this special 2024 year-in-review episode, host Elena, CTO of Cocoon Creations, reflects on an incredible year of stories celebrating the intersection of technology, innovation, and trailblazing individuals. From exploring Margaret Hamilton’s Apollo 11 triumph in Burn Baby, Burn, to celebrating fictional tech icons in Digital Divas, and diving into Kara Swisher’s hard-hitting Burn Book, the podcast tackled tech’s past, present, and cultural impact. Season 3 brought new beginnings with The Breakroom, a playful Greek-language segment co-hosted by Michalis, and a dual-language storytelling approach. The biggest highlight? The addition of Maria Stylianou as a permanent co-host, bringing wit, expertise, and advocacy for women in STEM. Together, they kicked off their partnership with Routers and Blue Lipsticks, spotlighting Sandy Lerner’s remarkable story. Thank you for joining us this year—your support means the world. Happy New Year!
Τα Χριστούγεννα είναι σχεδόν εδώ, αλλά εμείς ακόμα προσπαθούμε να καταλάβουμε τι πάει σωστά και τι λάθος στον κόσμο της τεχνολογίας. Μια AI γιαγιά πολεμά τους scammers, το ChatGPT μας λέει ξεκάθαρα ψέματα, οι θεωρίες συνωμοσίας για τους Rothschild μπλέκονται στην κουβέντα μας, και η πυρηνική ενέργεια παρουσιάζεται ως λύση στα προβλήματα των μεγάλων εταιρειών τεχνολογίας.
Joining Elena as the permanent co-host of Breaking the 20% is none other than Maria Stylianou! Maria and Elena start their new partnership by diving into the unapologetically bold life of Sandy Lerner, who co-founded Cisco Systems, invented the multiprotocol router, and revolutionized computer networking—only to be unceremoniously booted from her own company post-IPO by a board that couldn’t handle her outspoken style. Instead of sulking, Lerner went on to punk up the beauty industry with Urban Decay, save historic landmarks, and run a sustainable farm, all while sticking it to anyone who told her she couldn’t.
Στο καινούργιο επεισόδιο του The 20% Breakroom έχουμε πολλά τρελά νέα! Το AI έχει αποφασίσει ότι οι γυναίκες πρέπει να παίρνουν μόνο το 75% του μισθού τους, κανείς δεν εξήγησε στο Βατικανό τι συμβαίνει με τα anime στο διαδίκτυο, ο Mark Zuckerberg ξεκινά καριέρα στο τραγούδι, και ο δισεκατομμυριούχος ιδρυτής του Telegram έχει αποφασίσει να δωρίσει το σπέρμα του σε όσες γυναίκες ενδιαφέρονται!
We have some exciting announcements to share about the future of Breaking the 20%! Fresh ideas, and new directions are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to bring you along on this journey. Tune in to this mini-episode to hear all about what’s coming next, how we’re evolving, and what this means for you, our amazing listeners. Don’t miss it—it’s going to be a transformative moment for Breaking the 20%!
Στο νέο επεισόδιο, αφηγούμαι στον Κωνσταντίνο Ψυλλίδη την συναρπαστική ιστορία της Microsoft και της Apple, και των ιδρυτών τους, του Μπιλ Γκέιτς και του Στιβ Τζομπς. Μέσα από το φακό της ταινίας του 1999 “Οι Πειρατές της Silicon Valley”, ανατρέχουμε σε εμβληματικές στιγμές και καθοριστικές συμφωνίες που καθόρισαν τον κόσμο της τεχνολογίας πριν αποκαλύψω στον Κωνσταντίνο ότι η κινηματογραφική εκδοχή της ιστορίας δεν είναι όλη η αλήθεια. Ακούστε το επεισόδιο για να μάθετε την αλήθεια πίσω από το μύθο.
Στο τρίτο επεισόδιο του The 20% Breakroom ανακαλύπτουμε τη σχέση της τεχνολογίας με την πολιτική. Ο Elon Musk είναι πλέον υπουργός της Αμερικάνικης κυβέρνησης, ο Peter Thiel έχει το δικό του άνθρωπο δίπλα στο πρόεδρο Trump, η Google πολεμά την Αμερικάνικη κυβέρνηση και στην Κύπρο ακόμα στέλνουμε φαξ στις κυβερνητικές υπηρεσίες.
Jan. 3, 2025
January 3, 1983: Time Magazine named the computer its first-ever “Machine of the Year”, declaring that “none symbolized the past year more richly, or will be viewed by history as more significant, than a machine: the computer.”
While the computer was celebrated, the role of women in programming—pioneers of early computing—was already being diminished. The shift began years earlier, with societal narratives and marketing positioning computers as “toys for boys.” By 1984, the percentage of women earning computer science degrees peaked at 37%, but it marked the beginning of a sharp decline as the industry grew more male-dominated.
Jan. 2, 2025
Dec. 30, 2024
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Brussels along with 19 other women entrepreneurs, at the invitation of the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus. During our visit, we explored EU initiatives, funding opportunities, and the various ways the EU supports gender equality, women in tech, and women entrepreneurs. While all the knowledge we gained was invaluable, I want to share some fascinating statistics I learned on this trip. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of ICT specialists in the EU increased by 59.3%—nearly six times the overall employment growth rate of 10.7%. However, in 2023, men still dominated the field, with 80.6% of ICT roles in the EU held by men, compared to just 19.4% held by women. Cyprus stands out as one of the leaders, with women making up 24% of ICT specialists in 2023—a significant increase from 16.4% in 2013.
Dec. 20, 2024
On December 20th, 1996 Apple purchased NeXT for $429 million bringing Steve Jobs, Apple's cofounder, as a consultant. That was the beginning of the 2nd coming of Apple. But that wouldn't have been possible if NeXT hadn't survived the ridiculous spending habits of Steve Jobs. And the person that ensured that NeXT didn't go bankrupt was none other than Susan Barnes. Susan Barnes, a co-founder and CFO of NeXT, played a critical role in the company’s development, providing financial leadership and strategic guidance during its formative years.
Dec. 12, 2024
I’m thrilled to announce that joining me as the permanent co-host of Breaking the 20% is none other than Maria Stylianou! Maria is a force to be reckoned with—a trailblazer in the tech world, a passionate advocate for women in STEM, and an all-around badass. With a background in software engineering and years of experience leading teams and projects that make a difference, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the table. She’s deeply committed to amplifying the voices of women in tech and challenging the norms that hold them back. Plus, she’s got the kind of wit and insight that guarantees every conversation will be as engaging as it is enlightening. Welcome to the podcast, Maria! Let’s break that 20% ceiling together.
Oct. 18, 2024
Lillian Schwartz, a pioneering digital artist and animator, passed away on October 12, 2024, at the age of 97 in New York City. She was renowned for her groundbreaking work in computer-generated art and animation, especially during her time at AT&T’s Bell Labs in the late 1960s and 1970s. Schwartz created some of the earliest experimental computer-animated films, such as Pixillation and UFOs. Her work revolutionized the use of computers in art and earned her numerous accolades throughout her career.
Oct. 8, 2024
On this Ada Lovelace Day, we honor not only the world’s first computer programmer but also a woman who imagined the impossible. Her pioneering work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine made her the world’s first computer programmer, long before the modern computer existed. But she was so much more than just a mathematician. She foresaw a future where machines could do more than calculate — they could even create music. Her story is a reminder that the future of tech can and must also belong to women.
Oct. 5, 2024
As we mark the anniversary of Steve Jobs’ passing, on October 5th 2011, it’s essential to reflect not just on his monumental contributions to technology but also on his often challenging interpersonal relationships. Our episode “Self-Made Billionaires” explores his complicated rivalry with Bill Gates. Additionally, in “The Mother of All Demos,” I visited Historicon to tell how Jobs drew inspiration for the GUI from Xerox PARC, further showcasing the blend of innovation and ethical complexity that defined his career.
