In the context of views that are potentially odious but are tolerated in technology, it's perhaps worth noting that two of the instigators of this decision [1,

In the context of views that are potentially odious but are tolerated in technology, it's perhaps worth noting that two of the instigators of this decision [1, 2] are respectively an avowed communist [3] and a socialist who serves on the board of a magazine that literally takes its name from the people who brought us the Reign of Terror [4]. Should they be barred from speaking at conferences because people might feel "unsafe" in the presence of someone who holds such views? Or should we learn to leave politics at the door, and be willing to listen to tech talks even from people whose politics we find repulsive? I for one endorse the latter view. Strange Loop is entitled to its decision, but I find it both craven and sad. [1]: https://twitter.com/steveklabnik/status/606219754513264640 https://twitter.com/steveklabnik/status/606219754513264640 [2]: https://al3x.net/2015/06/04/wouldn't-censorship-be-exciting.html https://al3x.net/2015/06/04/wouldn't-censorship-be-exciting.... [3]: http://blog.steveklabnik.com/posts/2011-12-15-marx-anarchism-and-web-standards http://blog.steveklabnik.com/posts/2011-12-15-marx-anarchism... [4]: https://al3x.net/2015/03/03/jacobin.html https://al3x.net/2015/03/03/jacobin.html