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SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

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Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#71

Post by Goronmon »

salman89 wrote: post #51
blhack wrote: post #20

I really wish that this whole thing could have ended amicably (perhaps with Adria apologizing to the devs [by the way, the guy who was fired has already publicly apologized]). It's too bad that sendgrid had to fire her, I would never wish that somebody had their livlihood taken from them like that, but her job was to be a developer evangelist, which is a job she isn't realistically capable of performing anymore. I wo…

"I would feel really uncomfortable if I was in the same room as this person. What if I accidentally say something that she finds offensive? Am I next?" I'm not agreeing with anything Adria did, but the issue of being labeled as the "tattletale" probably plays a big part in most women's reluctance to report real harassment.

I'm not agreeing with anything Adria did, but the issue of being labeled as the "tattletale" probably plays a big part in most women's reluctance to report real harassment.

But there is a big difference between mentioning something to someone or someone's boss in private, and posting about it on Twitter with a picture attached.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#72

Post by antonej »

salman89 wrote: post #51
blhack wrote: post #20

I really wish that this whole thing could have ended amicably (perhaps with Adria apologizing to the devs [by the way, the guy who was fired has already publicly apologized]). It's too bad that sendgrid had to fire her, I would never wish that somebody had their livlihood taken from them like that, but her job was to be a developer evangelist, which is a job she isn't realistically capable of performing anymore. I wo…

"I would feel really uncomfortable if I was in the same room as this person. What if I accidentally say something that she finds offensive? Am I next?" I'm not agreeing with anything Adria did, but the issue of being labeled as the "tattletale" probably plays a big part in most women's reluctance to report real harassment.

Whistleblower concerns are totally legit, but that assumes the whistleblower follows common-sense normal procedures (e.g., telling the event organizers in private, or even calling their boss). The learning point here is about the manner in which the alleged harassment was "reported" -- trumpeted to the entire world via social media with photos attached.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#73

Post by StevenRayOrr »

newnewnew wrote: post #27
liquidise wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Now that is a truly impressive case of special pleading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_pleading

Actually, that is what they teach at university nowadays in race and gender studies departments, sociology, and other mushy social-sciences. My friends who went to places like Harvard all believe it.

Care to elaborate? I think that's a misrepresentation of critical gender and race studies, because I happen to be in one of those very programs. I won't deny that it's a "mushy social science", but I think you're radically simplifying the field.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#74

Post by prawks »

gkoberger wrote: post #15

Whether you agree with what she did, she was their "developer evangelist", and there is no chance she'll ever be able to effectively do that job for them ever again.

Exactly.

If you're in a position where your social influence and reputation play a key role, you should willingly know that your behavior directly affects your ability to do your job. Typically in that situation you want to make safe decisions regarding the statements you make.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#75

Post by salman89 »

Smart move by SendGrid. The short term windfall for having ditched her is easier to swallow than having your brand name attached to this whole fiasco. After the DDoS attacks I am sure they lost paying customers, and as a startup they cannot afford to continue to take a hit like this.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#76

Post by mkr-hn »

natrius wrote: post #54
mkr-hn wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We didn't invent sensationalist media.

There's only five things we do better than everyone else: music, movies, microcode, high-speed pizza delivery, and sensationalist media.

We're catching up in manufacturing too.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#77

Post by [deleted] »

knowtheory wrote: post #52
adamnemecek wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or for anyone else for that matter. Regardless of what anyone thinks about the situation, I feel like any company would have to be pretty crazy to willing attach their name to hers.

So, you'd rather see her name totally vilified and run out of the industry instead? Where's the understanding and tolerance for questionable conduct that was offered to the two guys making jokes now?

[deleted]

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#78

Post by blhack »

salman89 wrote: post #51
blhack wrote: post #20

I really wish that this whole thing could have ended amicably (perhaps with Adria apologizing to the devs [by the way, the guy who was fired has already publicly apologized]). It's too bad that sendgrid had to fire her, I would never wish that somebody had their livlihood taken from them like that, but her job was to be a developer evangelist, which is a job she isn't realistically capable of performing anymore. I wo…

"I would feel really uncomfortable if I was in the same room as this person. What if I accidentally say something that she finds offensive? Am I next?" I'm not agreeing with anything Adria did, but the issue of being labeled as the "tattletale" probably plays a big part in most women's reluctance to report real harassment.

Sure, and that is a legitimate problem that everybody has to face. "How much should I let myself be offended before I speak up about it?"

But that is NOT what happened here. She even said in her blog post that she didn't find the fact that "dongle" and "dong" sound similar offensive.

She decided to try and humiliate these guys over some desire to protect the possible future of some kid whose picture was being shown on stage at the time.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#79

Post by SODaniel »

blhack wrote: post #20

I really wish that this whole thing could have ended amicably (perhaps with Adria apologizing to the devs [by the way, the guy who was fired has already publicly apologized]). It's too bad that sendgrid had to fire her, I would never wish that somebody had their livlihood taken from them like that, but her job was to be a developer evangelist, which is a job she isn't realistically capable of performing anymore. I wo…

I feel the same way. I think that if she had just apologized early and clearly for her lack of judgement and maybe just called up the company that fired the guy they could have made a deal and shaken hands.

Now she has lost her job at Sendgrid and is almost certainly not going to be able to be a 'evangelist' that anyone takes seriously.

Re: SendGrid Fires Company Evangelist After Twitter Fracas

#80

Post by m4re »

wilfra wrote: post #43
m4re wrote: post #23

The way heads are rolling, I wonder if I'm next? I'm the guy in green in the center of the photo (completely oblivious to this whole situation).

Did you notice this whole thing going on while it was happening? Did you hear the jokes? Where these guys obnoxious etc? Or was she?

I didn't hear a thing. The keynote and/or lightning talks that were happening during this were pretty loud, and I was paying attention to those (although it certainly doesn't look it from this snap, heh).
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