An Apology From TechCrunch

jdstraughan wrote: post #3

yosho wrote: post #2

Anyone know the details of what happened? Can someone elaborate on this?

This. What did I (we) miss?

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23titstare

Re: An Apology From TechCrunch

#8

Post by objclxt » Sun, Sep 08, 2013, 10:59 PM UTC

I think one of two things happened. The first is TechCrunch simply didn't screen the hacks being presented in any way before they went up on stage. The second is they did screen them, but whoever did the screening had no problem with the two problematic submissions.

It's pretty clear to me the latter was has occurred, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the language in the apology refers to a failure to "properly screen", rather than screen. Secondly, TechCrunch originally tweeted a link to one of the two hacks in question (subsequently deleted). And finally, it's a high profile event being broadcast live. You're screening the presentations if only to avoid potential legal and liability problems.

And it's because of this that I have a hard job taking TechCrunch seriously when they say "we've worked hard to counteract it in our coverage and in our own hiring". It only takes one or two incidents like this to totally undermine any credibility you might have.

Re: An Apology From TechCrunch

#9

Post by WestCoastJustin » Sun, Sep 08, 2013, 10:59 PM UTC

Anyone coming here, wondering what happened, there were two presentation which were clearly inappropriate. First one was an app called TitStare, which allows you to view, upload, and share softcore photos of.. use your imagination. The second, circle shake, was an app to measure how fast you can jerk your wrist, upload and share your scores, accompanied by a pretty wild presentation.

I think the first one must have been a joke, because titstare.com was only registered today:

  $ whois titstare.com
  ...
  Creation Date: 08-sep-2013

Video of the presentations @ http://valleywag.gawker.com/techcrunch-disrupt-kicks-off-wit...

Re: An Apology From TechCrunch

#10

Post by aioprisan » Sun, Sep 08, 2013, 11:03 PM UTC

objclxt wrote: post #8

I think one of two things happened. The first is TechCrunch simply didn't screen the hacks being presented in any way before they went up on stage. The second is they did screen them, but whoever did the screening had no problem with the two problematic submissions. It's pretty clear to me the latter was has occurred, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the language in the apology refers to a failure to "properly scree…

Having gone to the NYC hackathon hosted in May for the last 3 years, I can tell you that the submissions are NEVER screened beforehand. All they want to know is the name and a Tweet-sized pitch.