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ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

electronconf.com

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Re: ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

#53

Give us diversity! There's too much JavaScript code in Electron. Minorities such as PHP, C++, and LISP are underrepresented and opressed!

JavaScript itself is one of the biggest arguments against existence of meritorcracy in tech :).

Re: ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

#54

At face value this is poor communication. It's not clear what kind of diversity they aimed for: was it gender, racial, economic? What are they taking a stand for?

Diversity is defined negatively: it means anyone who isn't white, straight, and male.

Re: ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

#55
post #43

The message is very cryptic, one possible interpretation would be that TOPICS presented by those speakers wouldn't be diverse enough to make the conference interesting. Why interpret this in gender/racial terms?

Because everyone is crediting the cancellation with this tweet https://twitter.com/fox/status/870761439094489088

Re: ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

#57
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would the downtrodden benefit from a true meritocracy?

A true meritocracy would mean anyone with intelligence, talent and creativity would rise to the top. Of course this is naive thinking. We live in a world that harshly discriminates based on gender, race, socio economic background, wealth etc. And its human nature that if you don't see people like you rising to the top that you will think there are legitimate reasons and potentially just give up.

A true meritocracy might be even harsher, because those at the bottom would still be downtrodden, but this time they would deserve it.

Re: ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

#58
post #43

The message is very cryptic, one possible interpretation would be that TOPICS presented by those speakers wouldn't be diverse enough to make the conference interesting. Why interpret this in gender/racial terms?

The message makes it pretty clear the speakers aren't diverse.

Referring to the speakers themselves: "We published a list of speakers that does not reflect the standards to which we hold ourselves."

Again referring specifically to speakers: "more diverse slate of speakers."

Re: ElectronConf postponed until a “more diverse slate of speakers” can be delivered

#59
post #18

This may be an unpopular opinion but I still don't understand why diversity even matters here - shouldn't it be the merit of the ideas and the presentation skills of the speakers?

on face value you can't argue with your logic but if you want to play the long game and help create and contribute to an industry that includes people from all demographics than this is a very smart move.

and more people included in your sample, more chance of finding amazing A++ engineers that can help the industry, your dev platform, etc...

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