- Women in one of the last male dominated tech fields - Privacy between two people having a conversation - The ramifications stories can have in todays twitter world (i.e. getting fired over hearsay)
There are so many issues one could discuss its difficult to know where to start. On one hand no one really knows exactly what joke was said except for those three individuals involved. At the same time while innocent until proven guilty, no one wants to be painted as unsympathetic to womens plight against sexism in the tech field.
Then there is the issue about whether its acceptable to assume there is a right not to be offended. One persons dongle joke is another person 'trigger'. Is it understandable that some individuals feel threatened by the heavy handed consequences that can come with what is assumed (rightly or wrongly) to be general conference chit chat.
Why is it that as a Muslim I have no right to be offended when people make jokes or down right derogatory comments about Islam (which are protected by the oft affirmed free speech shield) yet this person was allowed to be offended and seek retribution for a comment that she heard.
It's an interesting situation thats for sure.