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Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

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Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#21

Post by opportune »

logicallee wrote: post #14
ithinkinstereo wrote: post #2

The bigger thread has already been downvoted off the front page and this one is falling quickly. Disgusting. For all the down voters: Justin just admitted that all the accusations are true. https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave... The past 24 hours have been the darkest of my life. I have made many mistakes over the course of my career, some of which were brought to light this week. To say I'm…

[withdrawn]

" such deep and genuine self-awareness"

Lol, seriously?

This is standard PR bullshit. Clearly in this situation, the evidence was so cut-and-dry and unambiguous that Caldbeck had no choice but to admit defeat. The type of person that repeatedly engages in this behavior is not at all the type of person to be sobered by excellent communication. He just saw the writing on the wall.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#22

Post by nether »

ithinkinstereo wrote: post #2

The bigger thread has already been downvoted off the front page and this one is falling quickly. Disgusting. For all the down voters: Justin just admitted that all the accusations are true. https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave... The past 24 hours have been the darkest of my life. I have made many mistakes over the course of my career, some of which were brought to light this week. To say I'm…

Brogrammer culture is falling. Beautiful.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#23

Post by jobu »

maxxxxx wrote: post #8
ithinkinstereo wrote: post #2

The bigger thread has already been downvoted off the front page and this one is falling quickly. Disgusting. For all the down voters: Justin just admitted that all the accusations are true. https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave... The past 24 hours have been the darkest of my life. I have made many mistakes over the course of my career, some of which were brought to light this week. To say I'm…

That's pretty impressive. Usually they somehow turn around the whole issue during this kind of "apology" but he pretty much says he behaved badly and that's it. Edit: After reading https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14622737 I think he is just a big asshole who wants to make this go away so he can get back to business. No real remorse.

It's also the quickest way to move past something like this, especially once it goes public - take responsibility for your actions, offer a sincere apology, and take steps to correct it.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#24

Post by Anonymous888 »

dawhizkid wrote: post #17

Curious what Tiffany Zhong has to say...only reason I have heard of this place is because she was known as the youngest VC in the Valley until she left last year.

The firm had multiple other women leave in rapid succession as well.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#25

Post by vkou »

savanaly wrote: post #12
ithinkinstereo wrote: post #2

The bigger thread has already been downvoted off the front page and this one is falling quickly. Disgusting. For all the down voters: Justin just admitted that all the accusations are true. https://www.axios.com/justin-caldbeck-takes-indefinite-leave... The past 24 hours have been the darkest of my life. I have made many mistakes over the course of my career, some of which were brought to light this week. To say I'm…

Although it doesn't redeem him, I have to give it to Caldbeck that that's the best possible response I think it's possible to give.

I am almost certain that if there wasn't hard evidence, we would have seen nothing of the sort.

He's an adult businessman - he should have, and he almost certainly did know better!

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#26

Post by wyldfire »

opportune wrote: post #21
logicallee wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[withdrawn]

" such deep and genuine self-awareness" Lol, seriously? This is standard PR bullshit. Clearly in this situation, the evidence was so cut-and-dry and unambiguous that Caldbeck had no choice but to admit defeat. The type of person that repeatedly engages in this behavior is not at all the type of person to be sobered by excellent communication. He just saw the writing on the wall.

Standard PR bullshit is terse by design. This sounds sincere.

> evidence was so cut-and-dry and unambiguous that Caldbeck had no choice but to admit defeat.

Usually when there's unambiguous evidence, people challenge the premise/context/authenticity of the evidence.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#27

Post by ddoolin »

vkou wrote: post #25
savanaly wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although it doesn't redeem him, I have to give it to Caldbeck that that's the best possible response I think it's possible to give.

I am almost certain that if there wasn't hard evidence, we would have seen nothing of the sort. He's an adult businessman - he should have, and he almost certainly did know better!

He initially aggressively denied, then gave a lukewarm accepting response, then this. That may lend some credence to your theory.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#28

Post by dwaltrip »

So I understand that Justin made some serious mistakes in pursuing his interest in several female entrepreneurs.

Does there exist an acceptable manner for someone in a position like his to pursue such an interest? I'd imagine it would depend a lot on the context -- for example, it seems clear to me it would be very inappropriate to do so during any time period where a deal was being negotiated.

And of course, general etiquette would obviously apply, e.g. get to know them a bit and cautiously begin displaying some interest, making sure they seem receptive, etc.

I am genuinely curious about people's thoughts. Not hoping to start an incendiary discussion.

EDIT: I guess it wasn't clear enough that I'm not trying to defend or rationalize Justin's actions in any way. I wasn't trying to explore why exactly what he did was wrong -- that seems pretty clear enough. I was hoping to discuss more ambiguous scenarios.

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#29

Post by Jemmeh »

obstinate wrote: post #19
maxxxxx wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's pretty impressive. Usually they somehow turn around the whole issue during this kind of "apology" but he pretty much says he behaved badly and that's it. Edit: After reading https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14622737 I think he is just a big asshole who wants to make this go away so he can get back to business. No real remorse.

It would be more impressive to not harass women founders. This apology moves him above harassers who don't apologize, but still miles below non-harassers. Beware of giving someone too much credit for doing something very harmful, then apologizing for it effusively. It doesn't undo the harm.

I really wanna hear from people who are downvoting this.

It's right to still be mad at him even if he apologizes!

Re: Female founders accuse VC Justin Caldbeck of making unwanted advances

#30

Post by debaserab2 »

obstinate wrote: post #19
maxxxxx wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's pretty impressive. Usually they somehow turn around the whole issue during this kind of "apology" but he pretty much says he behaved badly and that's it. Edit: After reading https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14622737 I think he is just a big asshole who wants to make this go away so he can get back to business. No real remorse.

It would be more impressive to not harass women founders. This apology moves him above harassers who don't apologize, but still miles below non-harassers. Beware of giving someone too much credit for doing something very harmful, then apologizing for it effusively. It doesn't undo the harm.

So how long do we have to ostracize him for before we can treat him like a human being again? Or does he wear the scarlett letter forever now?

Is it not okay to note that he appears to be taking the right first steps?

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