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What really happened at PyCon 2013

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Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#101

Post by donall »

maccard wrote: post #67
_delirium wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm an American who lives in Denmark, and I agree, but I'm not sure it is people getting offended less quickly in general, versus on specific subjects. There are plenty of ideas that Danes consider to be completely crazy, not really debatable in polite company. For example, suggesting that abortion should be illegal, which is a mainstream position in the USA, is such a crazy-far-right position in Denmark that you cou…

That's not necessarily a European view on abortion. Many countries in Europe are strongly catholic (Ireland, Spain, Italy come to mind), and in some cases, the religious views have affected the laws (read: Ireland). I'm Irish, and abortion is a hotly debated topic; The main people against legalising it are staunchly catholic groups and use this as their basis.

You're right in saying that the anti-abortion movement in Ireland correlates with catholicism, but I think the more staunchly catholic groups are fairly right-wing (not in an extreme, goose-stepping fascist sort of way, necessarily, but more in a Fine Gael sort of way). With that in mind, I think the data in Ireland supports the grandparent's claim that anti-abortion is a right wing movement in Europe.

I think perhaps the confusion here is due to the fact that the Irish don't see themselves as being divided according to the French tradition of left and right, but according to which side of the civil war they think was right.

It's perhaps instructive to note that the people and organisations that oppose abortion in Ireland today are often the same ones that supported Franco's rebellion during the Spanish civil war and that both things were supported for the same reason: catholicism. The Irish right wing has more in common with the right wing in the rest of Europe than it gets credit for.

Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#102

Post by seanmcdirmid »

hack_edu wrote: post #78
seanmcdirmid wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Living and working in China (and Europe before that), I can confirm this. Sexism and racism are even completely different affairs outside of the states (more so in Asia than Europe), I'm reminded of that every morning by the design of the toothpaste tube [1] that my wife (innocently, she's Chinese) bought for us to use, which would probably get me arrested in the states if I accidentally packed it. [1] http://en.wiki…

Oh come on. Of course that won't get you arrested. You must not be aware of the American cult of Free Speech. Speaking out and being an insensitive asshole is just that, nothing more. It's your actions that determine criminality. Unlike China sometimes, right? ;)

I was using hyperbole. But I do get checked at US customs a lot, it makes think very carefully about what I'm packing (I usually just buy toothpaste in the states, its so much cheaper there anyways). Japanese magazines, for example, are always a big no no.

Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#104

Post by dyno12345 »

martinced wrote: post #37
obstacle1 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this a troll? I don't know your history, but I've heard that you have one, so... If this is a troll, someone let me know, please. Otherwise... >It's designed in a way that makes it very difficult for women to fit in, in any stable and reliable way. Additionally You can't just make a statement, not provide evidence, and then say "additionally...". You haven't proven your first point. What sexist assumptions is whit…

"The entire industry is based on risk." The entire industry is based on a business model which only a monkey could fuck up, yet the industry manages to fuck it up (as Taleb writes). You do realize that all these risk computation are totally bogus and led to big trouble in 2008 right? And that there's no risk because when the shit hit the fan bankster simply go say they're too big too fail and get bailed out. And at t…

So, simultaneously the banks too stupid to understand risks or perhaps tie their shoes, and at the same time the critics are so smart they would have been able to put the rest of the industry out of business with their prescience but didn't attempt such.

Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#106

Post by crag »

ImprovedSilence wrote: post #96
dutchbrit wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I was working in San Fran (I'm British - live in The Netherlands), the amount of times my colleagues told me, "Sam you're not very PC!" when I made a random funny comment, I always told them, "I know, I'm more of a Mac guy". They weren't offended by my comments I think, but maybe more shocked? I remember an incident whilst we were walking to lunch, a guy came out of a parking lot with squealing tires... which ma…

Wow, do people in SF use the term "PC" all the time like that? I've never even heard anyone say that. Also, I have yet to see tremendous displays of people shunning non "PC" comments. So I live/work/grew up in the North-East US. And I say much of the language and jokes are still some what crass and rude. I know a few guys decently high up that drop f-bombs all day long, and nobody blinks, guys in the lab make sexist/…

I used to work on a trading floor in NYC. And man, I doubt anyone (even the women) did not spend the day cursing up a storm. Of course I did too. There's a satisfaction that comes with hanging up with a client (on the phone) and then ripping him apart to your fellow traders for not "spending" enough.

Now, living in South Florida, it's almost the same environment. But, except for a few neighborhoods in Miami, most consider South Florida to be a borough of NYC.

Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#107

Post by crag »

chc wrote: post #98
badfortrains wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems that the F-word/nipples moratorium is pretty much over. While it's true that broadcast tv still can't show it, cable/satellite tv is pretty ubiquitous and free to bath us in as many nipples and F-words as they please. As for 3-strikes and "zero tolerance" that's a whole other can of worms. Looking at the disparity in US crime statistics vs Scandinavian countries, it's pretty understandable that cultural atti…

I have heard they're technically allowed to, but in practice, cable networks do not seem to feel free to air nudity or strong swearing. Only the "premium" channels like HBO and Showtime do that. No matter how "edgy" MTV wants to be, everyone will keep their clothes on.

It's the pay channels that are "free" to do whatever they want. HBO, Showtime, Stars (etc) are all pay.

Oddly though, Showtime for example sometimes air soft-core porn late a night. And while tits and ass are bouncing everywhere I have yet to see the "money shots". Male or female.

Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#108

Post by crag »

michaelochurch wrote: post #29
obstacle1 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this a troll? I don't know your history, but I've heard that you have one, so... If this is a troll, someone let me know, please. Otherwise... >It's designed in a way that makes it very difficult for women to fit in, in any stable and reliable way. Additionally You can't just make a statement, not provide evidence, and then say "additionally...". You haven't proven your first point. What sexist assumptions is whit…

I don't know your history, but I've heard that you have one Only one? I have, like, at least five or six, my friend. What sexist assumptions is white-collar Work [sic] culture based on? And how is it designed such that it is difficult for women to fit in? Dedication and ability are assessed, in most corporations, based on antiquated, counterproductive, and fascistic reliability measures that disfavor, for one example…

"Playing games with other peoples' money (and getting a resume/credibility boost no matter what happens) isn't nearly as risky ..."

Changing the subject a bit...

Having been a trader, I think that's a major problem with our system. A trader today rarely has his own skin in the game. Or even the firms skin in most cases. It's hella easier to make VERY risky bets with other people money.

Re: What really happened at PyCon 2013

#109

Post by flyinRyan »

smsm42 wrote: post #95
flyinRyan wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Also, suggesting that healthcare should be a purely private responsibility, not guaranteed by the state, would position you as quite far-right, Well, obviously as this is an extreme far right position (I'm american living in Europe and I realize this...).

Of course, any position you do not agree with must be extreme. Reasonable people are called reasonable because they agree with your reference group.

No, you misunderstand. I never mentioned whether I was right wing or left wing. I was simply pointing out that the the position you mentioned is extreme right wing on the political spectrum. You imagined it to be centralist?
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