I think the talking past each other is largely because the argument was polarized before it begun: Women - Think men don't understand the seriousness of sexual

I think the talking past each other is largely because the argument was polarized before it begun: Women - Think men don't understand the seriousness of sexual assault, know women who've been victims Men - Think there are women who cry wolf on sexual assault, know men who've been victims of that ...and so we inevitably reach this cross-talk where men are saying "where's the proof?" or "innocent until proven guilty" (which is largely what I saw from HN), and women are responding with "why aren't you treating this seriously?" Drunken louts are not just a feature of tech conferences, they're everywhere. It is only coincidental that the last time I told a guy to "shut the fuck up and leave. Now." was at an academic conference after he made some particularly offensive comments to a married woman. I think most men are aware of thing like this, and do what we can. HN attracts a more thoughtful/passive/insensitive (depending on point of view) approach to most things, so the "innocent until proven guilty" line seemed to be the general vibe I got from the commentary. I think that's the most even-handed such an issue can get.