Where did I say she should do that?

I said she should be mature and maintain the moral high ground. I didn't say she should shut up.

Perhaps you're reading more into my words than is actually there?

If you publicly undermine the reliability or emotional state of the reporter, you are actively re-affirming the status quo and denying that there is a problem.

If you assume all workplace confrontations between man and woman represent some form of sexism, you diminish the actual struggles of women everywhere.

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As a related aside, Dr. King had a few words to say along these lines, including:

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

It would seem you would've told King he should keep his observations to himself.

I'm all for fighting sexism in tech, but I'm not interested in being an ideological robot.

> If you doubt the reliability of someone, do it privately. Don't comment at all. As it is, I can only assume that you actively oppose the growing movement to try and solve this problem.

You are advocating for HN to cease being a discussion forum and to become an instrument of political propaganda. No thanks.

Stuff happens. Is your default assumption that the stuff is sexism in action?

Look, there is sexism. I don't deny it. You know it, I know it, and everyone who isn't actively in denial knows it.

But there are also honest misunderstandings. And there are personal, petty actions that are just because people are petty. Even if the recipient is female, it isn't always sexism.

So, when a situation happens, what is your default assumption? Do you immediately assume that it's sexism (or racism, or ageism, or whatever happens to best fit the identity of the recipient)?

I suggest that the default assumption should be that it's accidental and/or just pettiness. When a pattern develops (like, yes, this person is petty and vindictive, but only to females), then you can claim sexism. And then you should challenge it, rather than let it slide.

If I wanted to effectively promote animal rights socially I would not affiliate myself with PETA. Champion the articles that have a clear message and reflect your values, not just any opportunity to cheer for your team.

You'll come cross as being a lot more trustworthy if you're honest about what you stand for.

> Speech acts matter. Even online.

To my point: every time the reader sees disinformation they lose a little more faith in your movement.