Uncle Bob argues that while codes of conduct at conferences are well-intentioned, they have become weaponized to exclude people based on political opinions or personal grudges rather than actual harassment. He recounts being disinvited from Chicago Cloud Conference after complaints were filed against him, allegedly related to Twitter activity, without being given any opportunity to defend himself or even know who accused him. He criticizes the overly broad language in codes of conduct that makes virtually any statement potentially actionable if someone finds it offensive. His solution is to refuse participation in any conference that publishes a code of conduct without also publishing a fair adjudication process that includes the right to face one's accusers and mount a defense.
Sep 23, 2020 Ethics & ProfessionalismIndustry Commentary