More women come forward to talk about Silicon Valley's sexual harassment problem

[midian182]

Since Former Uber engineer Susan Fowler lifted the lid on Silicon Valley’s long rumored sexual harassment problem back in February – a move that ultimately led to CEO Travis Kalanick stepping down - more women in the tech industry have come forward to talk about their similar experiences.

A couple of weeks ago, a report in The Information revealed how half a dozen female tech industry workers had to deal with the unwanted advances of venture capitalist Justin Caldbeck, co-founder and managing partner of Binary Capital.

One of the women, Lindsay Meyer, described how Calbeck would text her constantly, ask why she preferred spending time with her boyfriend rather than with him, and kiss and grope her. "I felt like I had to tolerate it because this is the cost of being a nonwhite female founder," she explained.

After initially denying the claims, Caldbeck took an indefinite leave of absence and issued a statement apologizing for his actions. “It is outrageous and unethical for any person to leverage a position of power in exchange for sexual gain, it is clear to me now that that is exactly what I’ve done,” he wrote.

On Friday, the New York Times published sexual misconduct claims against 500 Startups founder Dave McClure and VC Chris Sacca.

Billionaire Sacca, who is now retired from investing and left the “Shark Tank” show in April, issued an apology just hours before the Times report, admitting that he contributed to making the industry “inhospitable to women.” Following the publication of the Times article, Sacca amended his statement to say he disputed the allegation that he touched female entrepreneur Susan Wu's face without her consent at a tech event in 2009.

Dave McClure, cofounder of 500 Startups, was also named in the Times piece. He was accused of sending a female job applicant a Facebook message that read: “I was getting confused figuring out whether to hire you or hit on you.”

Shortly after the revelations were printed, 500 Startups announced a previous alteration in its leadership structure and that McClure is “addressing changes in his previous unacceptable behavior.”

The Times also writes about start-up adviser Marc Canter, who sent Cinemmerse founder/CEO Wendy Dent increasingly flirtatious messages. In an interview, Canter said that Dent “came on strong to me, asking for help” and that she had used her sexuality publicly. He said the reason for his behavior was because he disliked her ideas and wanted Dent to go away.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/69956-more-women-come-forward-talk-about-silicon-valley.html

 

[Uncle Al]

When the laws were changed to accommodate the legitimate claims and concerns of women they lacked any form of teeth against tort when some women would use the law as a means of attacking anyone they did not like or towards financial or career advancement. To this day a woman can make these claims and if she is found to be wrong or malicious she suffers no counter or legal penalties. I'm all for a woman being able to have and use this law, but I think some serious repercussions should be faced for those that make illegal claims and destroy the careers and reputations of those that are innocent victims.

 

[Bruce V Wayne]

This proves how people who associate themselves as Democratic Party supporting Liberals are 100% total hypocrites. Particularly those from SIlicon Valley, who like lecture everyone on fairness and "equal rights" when they themselves don't practice what they preach when it comes to women.

After all, Silicon Valley were big time supporters of Hillary Clinton who refuses to part ways with serial harasser and rapist Bill Clinton, who used his power of the Presidency and Governorship to sexually harass women.

Silicon Valley = hypocrites

 

[Reehahs]

When the laws were changed to accommodate the legitimate claims and concerns of women they lacked any form of teeth against tort when some women would use the law as a means of attacking anyone they did not like or towards financial or career advancement. To this day a woman can make these claims and if she is found to be wrong or malicious she suffers no counter or legal penalties. I'm all for a woman being able to have and use this law, but I think some serious repercussions should be faced for those that make illegal claims and destroy the careers and reputations of those that are innocent victims.

This is a valid concern. False rape allegations are holding men and their reputable families hostage to shameless harlots; some cases in South-East Asia come to mind.

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Let's not generalize that "Silicon Valley = chauvinist d!ck heads" although in many cases it is true. The sexual harassment issue has many angles.

I know women who use their beauty to get things from lonely men at work. Be extra friendly to a guy who normally doesn't get attention from someone hot, just to ask for small favors "Can you approve my request for a new PC?" stuff like that. They see their sexiness as a tool they can use in their career. Are they wrong to do this? maybe - It does require the guys to be very gullible. Maybe not - it's ok to use your brains and connections to get ahead, why not your smile?

On the other hand - How does a beautiful woman balance looking nice at work with not giving the wrong impression? If she gets some extra attention from the boss that she doesn't want - it'll also make her co-workers think 'Why is she so special' and they won't like her. (I've witnessed this too) now you have a creepy boss and no friends - double uncool!

here's the easy solution - treat men and women at work the same way. Would you touch a another guy in the face? Send a text to say you'd like to hit on them? No? Then you're over the line - stop being a d!ck.

Would you ask them to lunch to learn more about them before a possible hire - yes, you'd do that with another guy - that's ok. See how easy this is?

 

[Uncle Al]

This proves how people who associate themselves as Democratic Party supporting Liberals are 100% total hypocrites. Particularly those from SIlicon Valley, who like lecture everyone on fairness and "equal rights" when they themselves don't practice what they preach when it comes to women.

After all, Silicon Valley were big time supporters of Hillary Clinton who refuses to part ways with serial harasser and rapist Bill Clinton, who used his power of the Presidency and Governorship to sexually harass women.

Silicon Valley = hypocrites

Actually the law was passed during the BUSH administration (Bush #1) .......

 

[Abraka]

“I was getting confused figuring out whether to hire you or hit on you.”

And this is sexual harrasment???????

Incredible!!!!

 

[Jack007]

More women should be charged for indecent exposure when they put on those skimpy little blouses with no bras and titties sticking out and very small skirts that show off their tback thongs and all their guts when they bend over. Damn dont you think that kind of thing creates feelings.

 

[captaincranky]

Why is it that woman says she has been "sexually harassed", it's automatically assumed to be true. But when a man says he didn't harass "Ms. "X", he's automatically assumed to be lying.
You people sure have bought into feminist bullsh!t and propaganda in a big, big, way.

Women have to capacity to lie for any number of reasons. Some very masculine lesbians hate men outright.. Some women are using their sexuality to curry favor with men in management positions. As it always seems to turn out though, she believes that herself gracing someone with a bit of "innocent flirting", should be plenty to get a better position.

The Cosby trial in a classic example. Could you tag his behaviour as "sexual harassment"? Yes, 100%. But OTOH, all of those women who came to his house wanted to bask in the "starlight", and likely had visions of being his "main squeeze forever", after they gave up thier "treasure". When that fantasy didn't materialize, then all of a sudden, they were, "sexually harassed" or, "sexually assaulted".

Believe it or not, I was a young man once, and my experiences led me to believe that young women liked sex as much or more than young men. (They also liked Quaalude, pity it was taken off the market).

But today, if you're in a position of power, you dare not even give a woman a sidelong glance, or you're going to be libel for millions of dollars in, "damages".

The sooner these men start wearing body cameras, and start getting laid via escort services, the less feminist crap we'll all have to listen to.

The millenials seem to be growing up with a rather puritanical set of standards forced upon them. You know, like telling someone in the workplace, "you look nice today", is a class a felony.

 

[Michiel]

“I was getting confused figuring out whether to hire you or hit on you.”

And this is sexual harrasment???????

Incredible!!!!

It's certainly inappropriate.

 

[wiyosaya]

Why is it that woman says she has been "sexually harassed", it's automatically assumed to be true. But when a man says he didn't harass "Ms. "X", he's automatically assumed to be lying.
You people sure have bought into feminist bullsh!t and propaganda in a big, big, way.

Women have to capacity to lie for any number of reasons. Some very masculine lesbians hate men outright.. Some women are using their sexuality to curry favor with men in management positions. As it always seems to turn out though, she believes that herself gracing someone with a bit of "innocent flirting", should be plenty to get a better position.

The Cosby trial in a classic example. Could you tag his behaviour as "sexual harassment"? Yes, 100%. But OTOH, all of those women who came to his house wanted to bask in the "starlight", and likely had visions of being his "main squeeze forever", after they gave up thier "treasure". When that fantasy didn't materialize, then all of a sudden, they were, "sexually harassed" or, "sexually assaulted".

Believe it or not, I was a young man once, and my experiences led me to believe that young women liked sex as much or more than young men. (They also liked Quaalude, pity it was taken off the market).

But today, if you're in a position of power, you dare not even give a woman a sidelong glance, or you're going to be libel for millions of dollars in, "damages".

The sooner these men start wearing body cameras, and start getting laid via escort services, the less feminist crap we'll all have to listen to.

The millenials seem to be growing up with a rather puritanical set of standards forced upon them. You know, like telling someone in the workplace, "you look nice today", is a class a felony.

Deaf, just deaf cranky. I suppose you consider drugging your dates perfectly legitimate. More power to you! Really, is there not a better forum for you to vent your frustrations with life?

When the laws were changed to accommodate the legitimate claims and concerns of women they lacked any form of teeth against tort when some women would use the law as a means of attacking anyone they did not like or towards financial or career advancement. To this day a woman can make these claims and if she is found to be wrong or malicious she suffers no counter or legal penalties. I'm all for a woman being able to have and use this law, but I think some serious repercussions should be faced for those that make illegal claims and destroy the careers and reputations of those that are innocent victims.

There is. Civil court. Sue for defamation of character as false accusations are definitely defamation of character. If they don't sue, then what is the conclusion?

So I suppose these men who admitted the accused behavior did so just to appease their superiors? If so, they are the stupid ones. As I see it, no one should ever admit guilt if they are not guilty. These guys are probably sitting on boatloads of cash, so they could probably easily hire a legal team to defend them against character defamation and false accusations.

 

[wiyosaya]

It's certainly inappropriate.

At last, a man not thinking with his penis.

 

[captaincranky]

Deaf, just deaf cranky. I suppose you consider drugging your dates perfectly legitimate.

So, are you trying to claim women don't do recreational drugs, and the only drugs they've ever consumed are the ones us ne'er do well, dastardly men slip them? That's simply naive and inane.

More power to you! Really, is there not a better forum for you to vent your frustrations with life?

My frustrations with life? Guess again. The other night on the news, (and I believe this was in reference to the Cosby case, but I'm not sure) I heard this, "she claimed one of the assault (s?) took place at the Playboy Mansion".

Well, if you're a woman, especially an attractive woman, and you walk through the front door of said mansion, believing you're not going to be hit on, not going to be plied with coke and whatnot, and expecting not to be "objectified", then you're stupid beyond words.

You forget, I''m from the "peace and love generation", and believe me, we weren't prone to cancel concerts, because some twit wanted to use the little girls room instead of the one for people with penises, like the one he was born with. We had plenty of extramarital sex, and most of it wasn't in the hope of receiving a part in a movie, or a better job.

And BTW, I'm staying right here.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I can hear people now suggesting that this is all Trump's fault.

 

[captaincranky]

I can hear people now suggesting that this is all Trump's fault.

Well isn't it?

 

[captaincranky]

These guys are probably sitting on boatloads of cash, so they could probably easily hire a legal team to defend them against character defamation and false accusations.

Yeah, and if you want to get rid of a big pile of cash in a big, big hurry, a lawyer is the right parasite for the job.

 

[Reachable]

The woman making the complaint about Uber, where she said her boss "propositioned " her on her first day of work:

I mean, cmon, if this is a transgression of the code of conduct that people have to follow now, then it's truly oppressive. It should not be assumed that any advance at all by the boss is his leveraging his position of power. It may be that he simply wanted to ask her out before anyone else did. Seize the day or lose it. Of course, I don't know what actually happened, but the whole situation strongly hints at a new kind of puritanical code that's a step backwards.

Cosby, for all the talk, hasn't had either his strengths or the magnitude of his misdeeds acknowledged. Forget the rapes -- just the fact that he allegedly slipped those women a mickey and knocked them unconscious with drugs without their permission, if true that would rightfully be enough to put him behind bars. I don't see any difference between knocking someone out with a right hook and doing the same thing with drugs, it's no less damaging.

By all accounts, Cosby is an extremely generous person. If you have a measure of fame, people are constantly coming to you for favors. Most celebrities flee, and you can't blame them. Back in the 70s, rock stars had herds of groupies, but Cosby had a different image, a 'clean' image, and it may have frustrated him. Most of those women came to Cosby to get help advancing their careers, to use him, essentially. Cosby didn't turn them away, but he apparently felt like he deserved something in return. Sorry, he was wrong. There is no excuse for rape. But an understanding of the situation puts things in a clearer perspective.

 

[Uncle Al]

Deaf, just deaf cranky. I suppose you consider drugging your dates perfectly legitimate. More power to you! Really, is there not a better forum for you to vent your frustrations with life?

There is. Civil court. Sue for defamation of character as false accusations are definitely defamation of character. If they don't sue, then what is the conclusion?

So I suppose these men who admitted the accused behavior did so just to appease their superiors? If so, they are the stupid ones. As I see it, no one should ever admit guilt if they are not guilty. These guys are probably sitting on boatloads of cash, so they could probably easily hire a legal team to defend them against character defamation and false accusations.

Unfortunately defamation and/or false accusation are two of the most difficult issues to claim and win on and when the individual wins it strongly tends to be a very high profile person who's public image could be damaged and in which the claims are written so there is physical evidence. According to the West Law database, there has yet to be a successful suite for either of these. Lets put apples to apples ..... Sexual Harassment is now a criminal case that can carry severe penalties including incarceration and life long branding as a sexual predator. Let's make the law fair and balanced so that any false accuser (male or female) can be held equally responsible and punished to the same level. THAT would be a balanced law that serves ALL the people ......

 

[EClyde]

If the girl likes you...it's fine. If they don't it isn't.

 

[Reachable]

This topic obviously strikes a nerve.

I'm ultra left wing. I want an inclusive society with respect for all, and a managed economy instead of the childish game free-for-all that we largely have now. But there are certain things in life that you just can't have both ways.

In certain Islamic countries there is more segregation of the sexes than is the case most of elsewhere. Women are limited in their activities outside the home and in their opportunities for work outside the home. In public, women must be essentially hidden by their clothing, and in some cases even speaking to men who aren't family is forbidden. The effect of all of this is that divorce and infidelity rates are low.

But that's not how we do things in the West. Schools, workplaces, houses of worship, basically everywhere is open area for courtship. As far as seductive clothing and flirtatious behavior is concerned, pretty much anything goes. Women strive for the right to wear revealing attire and pursue previously closed professions and occupations. In this kind of an environment you have to expect and be prepared for anything.

There is behavior that crosses the line. Unwanted touching and persistent harassment falls into that category. But many of these accusation sound like they fall into the new have-it-both-ways ethos where you can be as seductive as you want and at the same time not tolerate attention that you don't want. When it gets to the point that it destroys or harms the careers of those who have actually committed very small sins, it becomes quite unjust.

 

[EClyde]

This topic obviously strikes a nerve.

I'm ultra left wing. I want an inclusive society with respect for all, and a managed economy instead of the childish game free-for-all that we largely have now. But there are certain things in life that you just can't have both ways.

In certain Islamic countries there is more segregation of the sexes than is the case most of elsewhere. Women are limited in their activities outside the home and in their opportunities for work outside the home. In public, women must be essentially hidden by their clothing, and in some cases even speaking to men who aren't family is forbidden. The effect of all of this is that divorce and infidelity rates are low.

But that's not how we do things in the West. Schools, workplaces, houses of worship, basically everywhere is open area for courtship. As far as seductive clothing and flirtatious behavior is concerned, pretty much anything goes. Women strive for the right to wear revealing attire and pursue previously closed professions and occupations. In this kind of an environment you have to expect and be prepared for anything.

There is behavior that crosses the line. Unwanted touching and persistent harassment falls into that category. But many of these accusation sound like they fall into the new have-it-both-ways ethos where you can be as seductive as you want and at the same time not tolerate attention that you don't want. When it gets to the point that it destroys or harms the careers of those who have actually committed very small sins, it becomes quite unjust.

Your "plan" won't work...never has never will

 

[Reachable]

Your "plan" won't work...never has never will

Before you make a statement like that, consider Scandinavia, where affluence is the most widespread, and which is also considered to be the happiest region of the planet.

 

[EClyde]

Before you make a statement like that, consider Scandinavia, where affluence is the most widespread, and which is also considered to be the happiest region of the planet.

they all white...and they haven't axed the muslims