> First, the author says "Touching someone without their consent is assault." I hope that's just a not-so-well-thought-out sentence. Me too. Technically, it's

> First, the author says "Touching someone without their consent is assault." I hope that's just a not-so-well-thought-out sentence. Me too. Technically, it's battery. Assault is making someone afraid of battery. (Common law definitions. Many states have codified somewhat different terminology. There's also distinctions in what's required between the tort of battery, and the crime.) > I hope we don't end up in a place where just touching someone (like a hand on someone's shoulder) is actually bad. It's not actually bad. It's bad if you do it when they don't want you to. When they don't mind, it's fine. When they welcome it, it's good.[1] Keeping one's hands to one's self is something everybody should have learned in kindergarten. [1] Note that verbal consent before hand need not be the gold standard. But if they intend to sue or press charges, it's damn good evidence that the touching was not welcome. If they shrink away, it's not welcome. If they lean into it, it is. It's really not that hard.