This is disgusting, pathetic, and predatory. It also has a long-term chilling effect on women in technology and entrepreneurship. I am surprised by the lack of outrage over this behavior.
At the moment it's allegations. The outrage should come after evidence is uncovered. Not that it will matter in the end. Recent events have shown that you can flat out admit to drugging women in order to have sex with them and still be acquitted if you have adequate stature and fame. (Ok, I should be more fair. A mistrial is not an acquittal.)
6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
51–60 of 484 posts
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#52"While significant context is missing from the incidents reported by The Information, I deeply regret ever causing anyone to feel uncomfortable." I wonder what kind of significant context was missing? They asked for it? /sarcasm
Apologising. A classic mistake. What's possibly just a display of good will is going to get abused as admission of guilt.
"I think they're full of shit, but I apologize anyway"
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#53Serious question, does free speech apply in these situations? You have the unalienable right to speak your mind and some people may be offended but that is not illegal. I totally understand if you are employed by someone you can't easily get away if you are made uncomfortable but this is entirely a voluntary situation. Also, if you really think about it making something that makes someone uncomfortable illegal is wei…
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#54As someone who had 3 male teachers in middle and high school fired because of sexual commments I'm still not sure how to respond to stuff like this. I'm always concerned how someones carrier might be altered considering someone could be lying.
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#55Earlier quoted context omitted.
Right, I read that, but is it necessary to be publicly on the record? Couldn't the information be privately confirmed, protecting the women from retaliation and still allowing the case/accusation to move forward? It just seems like an unnecessary risk/vulnerability. Of course, there's also the fact that by going on the record you also encourage others to do the same, which is an immeasurable benefit.
I am one of the three women who went on the record with my name: Niniane Wang. I initially asked to be anonymous, but no reporter would publish unless they had named sources. I knew that Justin was continuing to harass women. Using my name was the only way to stop him. In other words, yes, it was necessary to be publicly on the record.
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#56Earlier quoted context omitted.
The second paragraph said he sent texts. Texts can be verified.
Are texts really an example of "sexual assault?" My understanding was that sexual assault had to be physical, though I may (probably) be wrong. EDIT: Thanks for the clarification, all. As many have pointed out, there's also the harassment portion. I guess my question is now: how do you prove intent? I know nothing about due process, so I'm curious. I suppose in this case it really matters what it says in the texts.
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
When it involves serial harassers, the ability to get many she-saids becomes easy, too. Do you really think that founders are lining up to put their personal and professional reputation on the line, to smear this guy, as part of a vast female conspiracy? They have fucking text messages to back their story up. Are those easy to fabricate too, when it comes to rich and powerful people?
No, I don't. But do you think it's reasonable to crucify him before any investigation happens? My comment was a bit too female-focused. It wasn't about she-said's or a female conspiracy, but rather the ease of getting people to smear someone that has enemies. It's hard not to notice that the claim of sexual harassment is as equally damaging now as being called a communist was in the 50's. It's obviously quite differe…
Do you apply this standard in other areas? If someone tells you they had chicken for lunch, do you say, "Hold on, let's wait for the investigation to determine what you actually had for lunch"? Or if six people told you they had chicken for lunch?
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#58Earlier quoted context omitted.
In this case it's more of a "he said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said".
When it involves rich or powerful people, the ability to get many she-said's becomes easier. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but due process exists for a reason. We should reserve judgement until the investigation progresses further.
I have nothing to gain from this. I am not suing. I'm founder & CEO of a Greylock-funded startup. Thankfully Greylock has come out in full support, but I didn't know that beforehand and was very nervous when I decided to do the article. The only way that any reporter would agree to publish was if I used my real name. I knew Justin was continuing to harass women, and this was the only way to stop him.
sillysaurus3, you may be thinking of cases where women go to accuse a "rich or powerful" person and are trying to get something out of it. I had nothing to gain and a lot to lose.
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
> But do you think it's reasonable to crucify him before any investigation happens? No, and if you see anyone hauling an actual, physical tree around to nail him to, you can tell them I said that. But commenting based on one's perception of the facts based on the published allegations and responses is not , even remotely, analogous to crucifixion.
Do you think it's reasonable to destroy his reputation before an investigation has occurred? I'm genuinely curious, and the question is in good faith.
I think people should be conscious of the uncertainty in the facts when commenting based on limited information, but that he is entitled to no more deference from private actors than, essentially, avoiding libelous statements (those known to be false or made with with reckless disregard for truth.)
General private commentary is not, morally or ethically, dependent on an investigation.
And, in any case, an investigation has occurred, preceding publication of the story.
Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment
#60This is disgusting, pathetic, and predatory. It also has a long-term chilling effect on women in technology and entrepreneurship. I am surprised by the lack of outrage over this behavior.
At the moment it's allegations. The outrage should come after evidence is uncovered. Not that it will matter in the end. Recent events have shown that you can flat out admit to drugging women in order to have sex with them and still be acquitted if you have adequate stature and fame. (Ok, I should be more fair. A mistrial is not an acquittal.)
Quaaludes was a party drug in its day, taken specifically for its effects. The fact that he acquired the drug to have sex with women doesn't imply he used it to rape them.