4 ms·

This trend needs to stop now. I guess this does not happen much in company-based events where such behavior would be grounds for firing or a warning from HR(or

This trend needs to stop now. I guess this does not happen much in company-based events where such behavior would be grounds for firing or a warning from HR(or a ban from other company events for outsiders.) The open hacker community needs to step up a little and not let things be too casual to a fault. Diversity is very beneficial to the industry and if a speaker has to resort to crass humor to attract or entertain attendees, that doesn't reflect too well on their skills.

drcube 15y ago
I supposed "diversity" doesn't include diverse standards of humor? "Let's not offend anybody" is a losing game. Somebody WILL be offended, so my advice is to ignore the offenderati and communicate your own way. People will listen or not, but that's on them.
- jarrett 15y ago
  The OP isn't saying "let's not offend anybody." She's asking conference speakers and organizers to maintain a minimal level of professionalism and respect as is standard in pretty much any other industry. Dirty/sexist jokes in professional conferences do not count as "diverse standards of humor." They just make our industry look immature and unwelcoming.
  - dextorious 15y ago
    """The OP isn't saying "let's not offend anybody." She's asking conference speakers and organizers to maintain a minimal level of professionalism and respect as is standard in pretty much any other industry.""" So basically make it as boring as an insurance convention...
    - cosgroveb 15y ago
      So not being sexist makes an industry boring? Maybe we need to throw in some racism and make things even more edgy!
      - tzs 15y ago
        What slides from the presentation were sexist?
      - dextorious 15y ago
        "So not being sexist makes an industry boring?" No, but being self-important and all-too-cautious and "professional" makes it.
    - jonhendry 15y ago
      I doubt neuroscience conference sessions these kinds of problems. There might be sexists, especially among older faculty. But they probably have the good judgement to not put it in their talks.
- msbarnett 15y ago
  False dichotomy. There's a broad middle ground between the positions "Don't do anything that may ever offend anyone. Humor of any sorts is completely unacceptable" and "Dick jokes totally belong in official presentations at industry tech conferences".
- pyre 15y ago
  Counter-point: I communicate best by using live nude people up on stage in an interpretive dance. The human body is beautiful. If you are offended by it you should just leave. If you decide to ban me from your conference you are just trying to censor my free speech.
  - stfu 15y ago
    The counter point is very valid in so far that if you describe this act as a "Demonstration of Ten Dirty Sex Acts and How to Perform Them" that you will get similar reactions by self-proclaimed saviors of morality as they received to their talk.

drcube 15y ago

I supposed "diversity" doesn't include diverse standards of humor? "Let's not offend anybody" is a losing game. Somebody WILL be offended, so my advice is to ignore the offenderati and communicate your own way. People will listen or not, but that's on them.

jarrett 15y ago
The OP isn't saying "let's not offend anybody." She's asking conference speakers and organizers to maintain a minimal level of professionalism and respect as is standard in pretty much any other industry. Dirty/sexist jokes in professional conferences do not count as "diverse standards of humor." They just make our industry look immature and unwelcoming.
- dextorious 15y ago
  """The OP isn't saying "let's not offend anybody." She's asking conference speakers and organizers to maintain a minimal level of professionalism and respect as is standard in pretty much any other industry.""" So basically make it as boring as an insurance convention...
  - cosgroveb 15y ago
    So not being sexist makes an industry boring? Maybe we need to throw in some racism and make things even more edgy!
    - tzs 15y ago
      What slides from the presentation were sexist?
    - dextorious 15y ago
      "So not being sexist makes an industry boring?" No, but being self-important and all-too-cautious and "professional" makes it.
  - jonhendry 15y ago
    I doubt neuroscience conference sessions these kinds of problems. There might be sexists, especially among older faculty. But they probably have the good judgement to not put it in their talks.
msbarnett 15y ago
False dichotomy. There's a broad middle ground between the positions "Don't do anything that may ever offend anyone. Humor of any sorts is completely unacceptable" and "Dick jokes totally belong in official presentations at industry tech conferences".
pyre 15y ago
Counter-point: I communicate best by using live nude people up on stage in an interpretive dance. The human body is beautiful. If you are offended by it you should just leave. If you decide to ban me from your conference you are just trying to censor my free speech.
- stfu 15y ago
  The counter point is very valid in so far that if you describe this act as a "Demonstration of Ten Dirty Sex Acts and How to Perform Them" that you will get similar reactions by self-proclaimed saviors of morality as they received to their talk.