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6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

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Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#131

Post by ganoushoreilly »

mrkurt wrote: post #113
gizmo686 wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is not the point. There are two ways to view the problem: it is either a women's problem, or a people problem that dissproportionantly affects women. By framing it as a womens problem, you are turning it into an issue of identity politics, with all the pros and cons that come with it. (eg, stronger solidarity from the in-group, at the expanse of alienating the out-group, as well as the growing backlash to identi…

This specific problem is a womens' problem. That doesn't make it gender politics. The number of women VCs is so small that there's no power imbalance to wield. What we're talking about here is individual assholes using the power of their "group" to take advantage of women. If, theoretically, a man were harassed by a woman investor she's being an asshole. But he can move on the other 9 investors who aren't women. It's…

It's not though, I've been on the receiving end of similar bullshit from a gay individual that made lewd suggestions around funding. It's a problem of people not respecting boundaries. My comment isn't belittling the women at all, it's in fact supportive of them and against any type of harassment. However, the notion that I am a male recipient of the same circumstance appears to be valued less based on comments. That's a problem too.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#132

Post by dragonwriter »

handedness wrote: post #123
ithinkinstereo wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

His statements are pretty damning and all but confirm this is all true. Edit: here is his statement Obviously, I am deeply disturbed by these allegations. While significant context is missing from the incidents reported by The Information, I deeply regret ever causing anyone to feel uncomfortable. The fact is that I have been privileged to have worked with female entrepreneurs throughout my career and I sincerely apo…

> Judge for yourself. Why the need to judge? Whether he's guilty or innocent, it's a tragic story for all involved, and it's not our job to make that decision: this is why we have a legal system on which our society is founded. Now, if I had a direct relationship with Mr. Caldbeck I would certainly make my own estimations and act accordingly, but I don't understand why everyone feels this need to act as judge and jur…

> this is why we have a legal system on which our society is founded.

No, we do not. Our society is not founded on the legal system; the legal system is one feature of our society, intended to deal with the most serious failures of normal operations.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#133

Post by ganoushoreilly »

bobabooey02 wrote: post #109
gizmo686 wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is not the point. There are two ways to view the problem: it is either a women's problem, or a people problem that dissproportionantly affects women. By framing it as a womens problem, you are turning it into an issue of identity politics, with all the pros and cons that come with it. (eg, stronger solidarity from the in-group, at the expanse of alienating the out-group, as well as the growing backlash to identi…

Speaking of one group is not ignoring the other. Nobody said that sexual harassment against men is okay. It's okay to recognize that social norms affect the genders asymmetrically and structure language around that.

My original response doesn't ignore them, it was my additional commentary adding that all founders shouldn't have to deal with it. The discredit to the response itself is evidence that one side weigh more sway based on gender. No one should have these types of issues.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#134

Post by munchbunny »

ganoushoreilly wrote: post #131
mrkurt wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This specific problem is a womens' problem. That doesn't make it gender politics. The number of women VCs is so small that there's no power imbalance to wield. What we're talking about here is individual assholes using the power of their "group" to take advantage of women. If, theoretically, a man were harassed by a woman investor she's being an asshole. But he can move on the other 9 investors who aren't women. It's…

It's not though, I've been on the receiving end of similar bullshit from a gay individual that made lewd suggestions around funding. It's a problem of people not respecting boundaries. My comment isn't belittling the women at all, it's in fact supportive of them and against any type of harassment. However, the notion that I am a male recipient of the same circumstance appears to be valued less based on comments. That…

I think what one of the other commenters wrote applies here:

> Speaking of one group is not ignoring the other. Nobody said that sexual harassment against men is okay. It's okay to recognize that social norms affect the genders asymmetrically and structure language around that.

If I knew you, I would just as soon support you in outing the guy who made lewd suggestions to you as I would support any woman I know in the same situation. But at the moment it does disproportionately affect women.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#135

Post by Jach »

mothers wrote: post #92
niniane wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3 reporters have tried over the years. Justin made threats against them. So they all gave up. One of them describes this in his article: https://www.axios.com/silicon-valleys-sexist-swamp-244683763... "The unfortunate truth is that I simply could not write this until Albergotti published, as I didn't have anyone on the record, which is virtually essential from a journalistic perspective. "

Wow. Honestly that sounds like a start-up opportunity. Is there really no venue for people to speak out without potentially harming themselves?

Write an anonymous blog about it on Medium or whatever and submit it to HN, you'll get views. You'll persuade or not persuade some people in the blog's truth no matter what you say from confirmation bias alone (e.g. rise in sexism in tech vs. rise in hoax charges). Some people will be more persuaded if you use your real name, for others it doesn't matter. Some people will be more persuaded if you give actual specifics about what was said and done (I'm one of those -- "harassment" is very broad, "groping" might be too, you need to either define your terms or state physically what happened, because you'd think we would all agree on what "grope" means but there are videos you can find of women screaming "help, he's raping me!" when it's just a cop using force to arrest her), but on the other hand too specific and people might find it literally incredible that someone actually grabbed you by the pussy without a tape of the person admitting as much.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#136

Post by Bartweiss »

ithinkinstereo wrote: post #69
iagreeentirely wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.)

The Axios article ( https://www.axios.com/pro-rata-2446752020.html ) details a long history of sketchy behavior. In addition to the three accusers: - While at lightspeed, accusations from a female founder at a portfolio company was serious enough that the "situation rose to the broader board level, with the ultimate resolution resulting in non-disclosure agreements on all sides." - While at Bain Ventures, a female fo…

Even more relevant: https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave...

Caldbeck has apologized, taken leave, and did not contest any of the claims.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#137

Post by munchbunny »

mothers wrote: post #92
niniane wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3 reporters have tried over the years. Justin made threats against them. So they all gave up. One of them describes this in his article: https://www.axios.com/silicon-valleys-sexist-swamp-244683763... "The unfortunate truth is that I simply could not write this until Albergotti published, as I didn't have anyone on the record, which is virtually essential from a journalistic perspective. "

Wow. Honestly that sounds like a start-up opportunity. Is there really no venue for people to speak out without potentially harming themselves?

There isn't really, because the moment you reveal enough actual details that it's possible to identify you, you also open yourself up for subtle forms of retaliation.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#138

Post by ebola1717 »

handedness wrote: post #120
ithinkinstereo wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's true, but we should also take into account how the nature of sexual harassment, and the often power imbalance between the harasser and victim, naturally provides the harasser with all the advantages. You are free to judge for yourself, but from the Information and Axios article, there does seem to be a preponderance of evidence to suggest Justin is either a serial sexual harasser/predator, at worst, or a total…

> the nature of sexual harassment, and the often power imbalance between the harasser and victim, naturally provides the harasser with all the advantages. That is correct in cases where harassment has occurred, yes. In cases of false accusation, though, the accuser has nearly all of the advantages. And it's not as if it never happens, either: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_accusation_of_rape#Estim... https://en.…

Your links say we can believe these allegations with 90-98% confidence. Actually, multiply that by 6 women, and that's 99.9999% confidence, assuming the low end of that. My request services only have to have a 99.9% success rate.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#139

Post by bobabooey02 »

ganoushoreilly wrote: post #133
bobabooey02 wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Speaking of one group is not ignoring the other. Nobody said that sexual harassment against men is okay. It's okay to recognize that social norms affect the genders asymmetrically and structure language around that.

My original response doesn't ignore them, it was my additional commentary adding that all founders shouldn't have to deal with it. The discredit to the response itself is evidence that one side weigh more sway based on gender. No one should have these types of issues.

Right, and that should be obvious to any reader. My point is that this is an issue that is asymmetric between the sexes. Acting like it's not just makes it seem like we're trying too hard to ignore genders when they exist and affect us.

Re: 6 Women Accuse Tech VC Justin Caldbeck of Sexual Assault and Harassment

#140

Post by sillysaurus3 »

dragonwriter wrote: post #59
sillysaurus3 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> Do you think it's reasonable to destroy his reputation before an investigation has occurred? 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 commentar…

Your response changed my mind on the matter, so thank you.

It's especially relevant given how all of this played out. (See the other thread https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14621765 and subsequent admission https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave...)

Any ideas for recognizing situations where a bit of skepticism is warranted vs situations like this? In this case, I'm a little saddened that my comments caused some more stress for the founders. One of them personally came to correct me upthread.

I think it's still important in general to reserve judgement and to wait for due process, but is there much reason to hold so fast to those views anymore? The speed at which accusations can be confirmed or denied seems to have increased to the point where it might not be so bad to just assume that the truth will usually come out. I don't know.

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