Opus 2013-263: Sexual Harassment and Geeks

DEFCON is over for the year.  I may continue to throw in thoughts generated by the CON. 

I was at dinner with a group of DEFCON geeks.  In the crowd were a couple of the security detail.  They call themselves goons and wear red, labeled t-shirts to prove it.  We had one young lady in the group.  The topic of sexual harassment came up.

Someone thought to ask the lady’s perspective and she was willing to share.  She said most guys were fine but there always seemed to be a few that could not keep their hands to themselves or understand the meaning of the word “No.”  At this the security guys came unglued.  They told her to point these guys out to her and they would make sure it didn’t happen again.  Then if became clear she was talking about other conventions.  She made it clear that she had never had any trouble at DEFCON.  The geeks seem to be perfect gentlemen.

There seem to be two reasons for that.  One is that the security team will not put up with that foolishness.  The second reason that came out was that there were so few women that attend DEFCON that they are treasured and protected.  The geeks may be immature, rowdy and drunk but they value the ladies that will put up with them. 

So ladies, if you are looking for a target rich environment full of bashful nerds where it is very safe to hang out, plan on DEFCON next year.

I am married and a one-woman-man so I have no vested interest in this.

homo unius libri