<p><i>Syster Papyri Magicae</i> is an interactive non-linear narration of stories, that unfolds the phenomenon of gender exclusions in male-dominated hacker culture. The project aims to document, discuss and activate a variety of feminist practices that respond to this issue. A fantasy context, including spells, quests, witches and wizards, is used to describe actual incidents and testimonies.
<p><i>Syster Papyri Magicae</i> is a project that unfolds the phenomenon of gender exclusions in male-dominated tech environments, aiming to document, discuss and activate a variety of feminist practices that respond to this issue.
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The website manifests as playful navigation to a growing, collectively editable Wiki, where incidents of sexism in tech, as well as feminist projects, are being documented. With the aid of the early web witchcraft of hyperlinks, one may discover documentation of actual events, wiki pages to write their versions of stories, external feminist projects, or even dead-ends.</p>
The Syster Papyri Magicae website enables a playful navigation to a collection of stories and practices that are gathered in a growing, editable Wiki. Aided by the early web magic of hyperlinks, one may discover documentation of sexist incidents in tech, feminist hacker projects, wiki pages to write their versions of stories, or even dead-ends. A fictional context of sorcery provides a game-like atmosphere but is also tactically used. On the one hand, the witch as an excluded figure symbolises female strength, that challenges patriarchal systems. On the other hand, witchcraft is a theme ever-present in the geek culture, proposing that technology has a source of magical power, that one can harness for their own sense of agency and empowerment.</p>
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While strolling through the website, one receives a number of quests, that ask them to choose what they would do in several situations of gender exclusion. This method helps to realise how hard it is to respond and take action, under these circumstances. It is also a way to open discussions on diverse feminist approaches, learn about the urgencies and potential of feminist hacker practices, and if interested, become a contributor.</p>
Strolling through the website, the visitor encounters several quests, that challenge them to choose what they would do in situations of exclusion. This method helps them realise how hard it is, to take action under these circumstances. It is also a way to open discussions on diverse feminist approaches, learn about feminist hacker practices, and if interested, become a contributor.</p>
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<i>Syster Papyri Magicae</i> (2020) is published under the terms of the Peer Production License (PPL). The Peer Production License is an example of CopyFair licensing, in which only other commoners, collectives and nonprofits can share and re-use the material in question.
