Should a programming conference host a reactionary weirdo?

[Ambiguity]

@hello_friends

Do you mean your safety? Or everyone’s safety including women, LGBTQ and non-white coders employed by others attending the conference and conference social events?

Have you ever been to a programming conference?

[knappa]

@grimloki

Cranks right?

Sometimes they are a fun spectacle or have half of a good idea, sometimes its nice to see them to figure out what exactly you don’t like about them and their ideas.

I mean, if it’s on the order of an hour or less, why not listen to the TempleOS or TimeCube guy?

[hello_friends]

No, I haven’t.

[anon15383236]

@Ambiguity

Have you ever been to a programming conference?

Why do you ask? Are they somehow radically, relevantly different from other conferences?

[anon61221983]

Welp, I guess that just proves Moldbug, correct, AMIRITE!!! It couldn’t possibly be structural inequality that causes the white maleness of the field, and years of discrimination? Nope. It’s got to mean something is wrong with women and POC? /s

[anon15383236]

@anon61221983

It’s got to mean something is wrong with women and POC

Yes, and it’s all been proven. With science!

[anon61221983]

[Ambiguity]

@anon15383236

Why do you ask? Are they somehow radically, relevantly different from other conferences?

Actually, in my experience they are somewhat different than the other conferences that I’ve attended, but in general I think the point is:

This is the internet, so people will have opinions on everything, but there is a difference between an informed opinion (i.e., an opinion on something that one actually has experience with), and random speculation. And my opinion – that it’s almost unbelievable that inviting such a guest would present any physical danger – could be wrong, but at least it’s somewhat informed, having been to a lot of these in the past.

[anon61221983]

@Ambiguity

that it’s almost unbelievable that inviting such a guest would present any physical danger

I’m not sure you get to decide that for others, people actually attending the conference who might find him threatening/anxiety inducing.

[Ambiguity]

@anon61221983

I’m not sure you get to decide that for others, people actually attending the conference who might find him threatening/anxiety inducing.

Huh? I’m not deciding anything for anyone.

Are you?

[anon61221983]

So, you’re not going to this conference, but you get to decide if this guy should speak, rather than actual attendees? Because you sure seem to have strong opinions about whether or not he poses a threat to attendees. I’m saying that if someone says they feel threatened by him, why do you get to decide for them that he’s not.

[hello_friends]

@Ambiguity

there is a difference between an informed opinion (i.e., an opinion on something that one actually has experience with), and random speculation.

I did read on the internet that programmers were like, the only professional group not to struggle with issues of sexual harassment and racial discrimination.

And check it out, that’s even though they’re like, totally disorganized! Well … compared to doctors, lawyers, teachers, therapists … okay, everyone really.

But, internet right?

Maybe that guy didn’t like, actually have any expertise on the issues of sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the professions?

[Ambiguity]

@anon61221983

So, you’re not going to this conference, but you get to decide if this guy should speak, rather than actual attendees?

Again, what the fuck? I’m not deciding anything. I just said that a) seemed unlikely that there was any physical threat, and b) overblown rhetoric isn’t useful in discussing things like this. If you read my post I didn’t even express an opinion as to if he should be invited.

Seriously, your comments are absurd. It’s almost as if you didn’t actually read what I said. But being the internet, that couldn’t have happened, I guess.

[anon61221983]

@Ambiguity

seemed unlikely that there was any physical threat,

That’s what I’m addressing - why do you get to decide what someone finds threatening?

@Ambiguity

random speculation.

Aren’t you randonly speculating on whether or not the attendees might feel threatened?

@Ambiguity

Seriously, your comments are absurd.

Ah! I see. Have a nice day, then.

[Ambiguity]

@anon61221983

Aren’t you randonly speculating on whether or not the attendees might feel threatened?

I guess reading isn’t really your strong point – guess that’s the potential downside to using snarky animated GIFs instead of, you know, reasoned words.

But here’s a hint: I did not once address or speculate on how the attendees might feel. Or how they should feel. Etc.

[anon61221983]

You called me absurd. The conversation is over. Have a good one.

[anon67050589]

@Ambiguity

here’s a hint: I did not once address or speculate on how the attendees might feel

@Ambiguity

And my opinion – that it’s almost unbelievable that inviting such a guest would present any physical danger

It sounds like you’re saying it doesn’t matter if an invited speaker causes fear and anxiety among potential attendees, as long as no physical crime has yet been committed (because the event has not yet taken place IRL). And if the fear and anxiety keeps potential attendees from attending, so that the only actual attendees are the kind who are not likely to be the victims of any physical crime caused or incited by that speaker, well hey, it’s all good…right?

[gwwar]

@hello_friends

I did read on the internet that programmers were like, the only professional group not to struggle with issues of sexual harassment and racial discrimination.

Don’t forget the rampant agism too.

[anon61221983]

Which is precisely what I was saying… but you know, being absurd and all!

[anon33466019]

Sometimes I feel like a modern day Ignatius Reilly (yes, I did that on purpose :D) that functional and oop paradigms are merely arbitrary abstractions on top of the bedrock of procedural programming.

But as a Perl nerd it makes sense. (I swear perl and C nerds are basically the same people, just with different markup preferences)