3 ms·

I think this is an interesting comment, because I find the opposite. I've seen a great deal of debate about what people think is appropriate behaviour at a conf

I think this is an interesting comment, because I find the opposite. I've seen a great deal of debate about what people think is appropriate behaviour at a conference. The debate I've seen includes, amongst other positions: a) It's work, so needs a professional attitude b) It's just a joke, so should be forgiven c) It lowers the tone d) It makes a hostile atmosphere for women e) It was a private conversation f) It was a public space g) It's against the conference policy h) The problem wasn't the policy, but the public outing i) Twitter isn't public j) Is it sexist to use sexual imagery? k) Have the companies responded correctly? ... etc. Lots of debate from what I've seen

maxerickson 14y ago
You're right, there has been quite a lot of discussion along those lines. I do think statements like "It's just a joke" fall under picking at the details of the incident, I'd like to see the debated hoisted up a bit from there. Meaning, do the people who think such a joke isn't a big deal think there is any verbalization that would be inappropriate in that setting? How far would the people who claim the conversation was private extend that context? Stuff like that, where the details are set aside and people look for where the interesting lines are.
- summerdown2 14y ago
  I think it's pretty clear that there are some things that would be inappropriate. The interesting thing here is that you wouldn't ordinarily expect two people to lose their jobs over a crap joke and a twitter photo. it appears to be a perfect storm, where the deviations from what might be acceptable are minor, but the results are huge. One thing I take away is that if something isn't done* to deal with the tendency of the internet to make something viral, everyone will be walking on eggshells ... whether making a joke or posting something on twitter. * I have no idea what that could be, though.

maxerickson 14y ago

You're right, there has been quite a lot of discussion along those lines. I do think statements like "It's just a joke" fall under picking at the details of the incident, I'd like to see the debated hoisted up a bit from there. Meaning, do the people who think such a joke isn't a big deal think there is any verbalization that would be inappropriate in that setting? How far would the people who claim the conversation was private extend that context? Stuff like that, where the details are set aside and people look for where the interesting lines are.

summerdown2 14y ago
I think it's pretty clear that there are some things that would be inappropriate. The interesting thing here is that you wouldn't ordinarily expect two people to lose their jobs over a crap joke and a twitter photo. it appears to be a perfect storm, where the deviations from what might be acceptable are minor, but the results are huge. One thing I take away is that if something isn't done* to deal with the tendency of the internet to make something viral, everyone will be walking on eggshells ... whether making a joke or posting something on twitter. * I have no idea what that could be, though.