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Note that Tim most likely refered to actual physical aggression, something which is arguably worse than making "edgy" presentations (the article there mentioned

by cdavid 15y ago

Note that Tim most likely refered to actual physical aggression, something which is arguably worse than making "edgy" presentations (the article there mentioned OSCON: http://lwn.net/Articles/417952/ http://lwn.net/Articles/417952/).

yummyfajitas 15y ago
I'm curious - why does a conference need a policy about such things at all? Are local laws against violent acts insufficient?
- michaelchisari 15y ago
  Are local laws against violent acts insufficient? Yes, because perfectly legal behaviors can still be very alienating, and the homogeny that results from alienating behavior shows a lack of foresight on the part of conference organizers and the open source scene in general.
  - yummyfajitas 15y ago
    It is intellectually dishonest to conflate criminal acts (what ccdavid and I were discussing) with speech you disapprove of.
    - michaelchisari 15y ago
      You asked a simple question, why is a harassment policy necessary when laws should be sufficient, and I gave a simple answer, because perfectly legal behavior can still be alienating and damaging to the success of social structures.
- cdavid 15y ago
  One reason may be that for big conferences, the audience is international, and may no know what is considered ok, inappropriate, and plainly illegal. It also sends a signal: several female open source contributors have written about the fact that their complaints has been completely disregarded by the conference organizers. Stepping up publicly against those behaviors would make it harder to do so later, if only from a PR POV.
- praptak 15y ago
  If not for any other reason, the organizers need to cover their asses so that they can kick the offender out without worrying about a potential lawsuit. Local laws probably do not make it clear that you can kick an offender from a conference.
vanadium 15y ago
Mmm, what? From the linked article itself: "One issue that has come up at some technical conferences is sexual or racist comments or images in slides. This is not appropriate. Speakers and exhibitors should use good judgment; if we hear complaints and we think they are warranted, you may not be invited back."

by cdavid 15y ago

yummyfajitas 15y ago

I'm curious - why does a conference need a policy about such things at all? Are local laws against violent acts insufficient?

michaelchisari 15y ago
Are local laws against violent acts insufficient? Yes, because perfectly legal behaviors can still be very alienating, and the homogeny that results from alienating behavior shows a lack of foresight on the part of conference organizers and the open source scene in general.
- yummyfajitas 15y ago
  It is intellectually dishonest to conflate criminal acts (what ccdavid and I were discussing) with speech you disapprove of.
  - michaelchisari 15y ago
    You asked a simple question, why is a harassment policy necessary when laws should be sufficient, and I gave a simple answer, because perfectly legal behavior can still be alienating and damaging to the success of social structures.
cdavid 15y ago
One reason may be that for big conferences, the audience is international, and may no know what is considered ok, inappropriate, and plainly illegal. It also sends a signal: several female open source contributors have written about the fact that their complaints has been completely disregarded by the conference organizers. Stepping up publicly against those behaviors would make it harder to do so later, if only from a PR POV.
praptak 15y ago
If not for any other reason, the organizers need to cover their asses so that they can kick the offender out without worrying about a potential lawsuit. Local laws probably do not make it clear that you can kick an offender from a conference.

vanadium 15y ago

Mmm, what? From the linked article itself: "One issue that has come up at some technical conferences is sexual or racist comments or images in slides. This is not appropriate. Speakers and exhibitors should use good judgment; if we hear complaints and we think they are warranted, you may not be invited back."