Databending (or data bending) is the process of manipulating a media file of a certain format, using software designed to edit files of another format.

According to Wikipedia, the name comes from circuit bending (something I tried to do when I was experimenting with music). I was never successful at creating something funky with altered electronic kids toys, but this new, strictly digital endeavor didn't take long to pick up on.

I made this by opening the original image in an audio editing program and applying sound effects — a little echo, compression, and reverb — then exporting it again into an image format. There are many ways to databend, including opening images in a hex editor or WordPad, but doing it with audio tools is particularly fun.