But while we'ere here, can someone explain why the feeling of offence is something beyond the control of an individual, but is instead directly controlled by every other person on the planet?
Is it completely illogical to suggest that someone (or a room full of people) can /choose/ not to be offended, because they fully understand the the idea of freedom of speech?
Why is it always:
Someone said something -> I'm OFFENDED BY THAT. AARRGHH!!
Not:
Someone said something -> I didn't agree/like it -> That's OK.
Freedom of speech exists in the public, not private spheres.
In this case, apps such as Titstare being presented at an event (aimed at all ages), such as this, only reinforce the perception that such events are boys clubs for 18-35 year old guys who like staring at tits. Presumably, you want that image to change: isn't it worth imposing restrictions to reduce the amount of "offence" caused to people in order to bring this about?
i wish i could sit down with you and a few beers and explain it cuz it would take all night.
in a nutshell: we are conditioned to blame others to make us easier to control. This begins when we're children and for must of us continues through our working life until we're dead. A nation full of complainers is easier to ignore and run than a nation of people utilizing the nation's resources directly. (As Herman Hesse said, "A teacher would rather have a classroom full of donkeys than a single genius.") Just watch a group of grumbling work employees scatter when the boss comes around instead of grouping together to tell him/her how they really feel.
however, some of us learn to take responsibility for our own reactions. I now no longer have anyone else to blame for my own negative feelings (since watching a Jack Canfield video about 5 months ago. I tried to find it on the 'tube for ya just now but there are too many). Many might think this is bad, but just as Jack suggests, my mind simply works toward improving my situations instead of bitching about them. Instead of bitching about crappy music, I design new instruments.
I could go on and relate to you about all the screwed up examples of people I've seen, who set themselves up for the One Big Trauma they can milk for the rest of their lives for shallow sympathy for their con games, but I'm gonna take a sweet bike ride before the sun goes down and I've already given enough advice. peace, bastardus carborundum and all that.
I'm not sure if you fully get the idea of freedom of speech. Some dudes can do a presentation at a hackathon and say whatever they want. Other folks can get on Hacker News comments and say whatever they want (about the first dudes).
And anyway, "freedom of speech" only exists as a law when applied to Congress. For the rest of us it's just a guideline.
I'm not sure why you think this is about feelings, and specifically feelings of offence. It's about the social structure of hacker culture, or about standards for professional and semi-professional programming events. It's about how people involved in this field expect to be treated, or not.
One way to give expression to a particular opinion would be expressing offence. (Another would be applauding.) If you ask me if I think this sort of thing is offensive, I will say "yes" -- after all, you asked me! -- but it's just a way of putting a marker this. It isn't anywhere close to the core of what I think about this topic.
But while we'ere here, can someone explain why the feeling of offence is something beyond the control of an individual, but is instead directly controlled by every other person on the planet?
Is it completely illogical to suggest that someone (or a room full of people) can /choose/ not to be offended, because they fully understand the the idea of freedom of speech?
Why is it always:
Someone said something -> I'm OFFENDED BY THAT. AARRGHH!!
Not:
Someone said something -> I didn't agree/like it -> That's OK.