Stupid reasoning

gistfile1.txt

1. *>declare it a safe space for everyone*

This is implicit and words are cheap anyways. How many companies say they *truly* care about *each and every* customer? How many actually do? How many customers point to this when complaining to the company? How many companies give a shit after its pointed out to them? (My experience: none)

2. *>explicit about what is and isn't allowed behavior*

You'd die of old age before you finished the list and the list couldn't possibly cover all behavior, especially the social aspect you wish to be covered.

Think your miniskirt will send the wrong message? Don't wear a miniskirt. Problem solved.

Miniskirts (or revealing clothing in general) tell *most* people you're a slut. Unless you're at a slutwalk. Then it tells *everyone* you're a slut. This has little to do with the reality of you being a slut or not anymore than me wearing a red CCCP shirt mean I'm a communist. But I tend to only wear the shirt inside and don't risk getting beat up by patriots if I wear it in public.

*>For instance, a room full of strangers may agree that rape is bad, but when asked to define what rape is, they will give wildly varying answers.*

The issue, from what I've seen, is that people are defining violation of personal space as rape (which trivializes *actual* rape). I've never met a person who would not define rape as any forced penetration. There is a grey line around molestation/groping but those actions being "bad" is generally not questioned either. All are illegal and conventions are not exempt from the law. If it's illegal, don't do it at the convention.

At least in my country and countries I have visited, there are things called "laws" and it is implicit to follow these laws when in the country. It is your job to familiarize yourself with the countries laws before entering the country. Having some familiarity with the culture is not only respectful, but could save your life in some countries as well.

People's opinion doesn't matter - the legal definition does.

3. *>point of contact*

I agree 150%. Any professional event should have someone to contact to handle issues and in case of emergencies. That should be an expected part of hosting a professional event. The point of contact should be made known to everyone and shouldn't be a complete pain in the ass to get in touch with.

4. *>easy access of 1-3*

Well I figured this was implicit with #3, but I don't see what this has to do with a Code of Conduct at this point. It sounds like shitty management to not have things be easy-access.

*>If a person thinks something is ok behavior while drunk, they probably didn’t have many qualms about it before they started drinking*

I went camping once. 6 people had died that week in the flooded river. Everyone knew not to step foot in the river, because chances are they'd get caught in the rapids and drown.

A few of them built up some liquid courage and wanted to go rafting in the river using a cheap raft tied to a thin tree. They had thrown the raft in the river and were ready to jump in when the raft broke off the tree the instant they threw it into the river. Had they gone with their plan - they'd have been another statistic of those killed by the river that week.

I know they had many qualms about it before they started drinking.

Alcohol makes people do stupid things. In Japan, they even have a word for ignoring/forgiving drunken behavior: 無礼講

Alcohol affects brain processes and leads to stupid decisions. I *thought* everyone already knew this, but it appears the author is unaware of alcohols effects on people. Even the most timid, shy person can become an obnoxiously outgoing individual with enough alcohol.

*>Plus, giving attendees only a few drink tickets doesn’t quash the numerous room parties, bar crawls, and tangential social events that will have alcohol.*

So don't attend such things. It's impossible to know how someone will become when they get drunk and things that happen *outside of the event* are not of the events concern.

*>Perhaps organizers should ask their lawyers to do the same. Or get MLB’s lawyers.*

Sure. Want to pay for them?

*>five incidents ever*

Shitty excuse, I agree.

*>fire escape analogy*

Fire escapes are there for people who are not knowledgeable of the buildings layout or to avoid panic in case of an emergency by having an emergency plan. For the Code of Conduct issue - the issue is in a point of contact and procedure in case of emergency, which does not require a code of conduct. See point 3 raised earlier.

*>One thing Jared did get me thinking about is how some less scrupulous conferences might be copy-pasting Codes of Conduct to appease speakers like me.*

Surely easier than arguing with people like you and dealing with the harassment mobs that follow after blogs like this make their rounds around tumblr and militant SJW circles. It's a good way to be asked to step down for PR and to appease the mob. A certain BE comes to mind.

*>I told Jared I wouldn’t come to the conference until such a policy was on the event site. He said he’d find another speaker.*

And he probably did. Good for you for not speaking and standing up to your ideals. Good for him for doing the same. You both spoke it out diplomatically, neither wanted to budge, you went your separate ways. I wish more things ended at that, but now Jared is going to get harassed by a mob - decide to step down as manager of the events or cave in and add a CoC to shut people up, regardless if it will actually be enforced post fact - and there's going to be this awkward friction between people who find all of this an unnecessary waste of time and those who see it as a worthwhile investment of time. Great job.