Political Messages in Tech Talks

I have been organizing C++ User Group events for eight years now, over 50 events. Recently, a speaker included a political message on each of their slides, even using offensive language by using the f-word.

A new situation for me as organizer. There was some feedback I received and I had to process.

Even attendees the speaker might have expected to support the statement felt uncomfortable. They were reminded of past hardships and, instead of focusing on and enjoying the technology, they felt unwell.

Additionally, some audience members disliked the message for various reasons.

After thinking about it for a while now, I think those who include such messages are not genuinely trying to make a statement. They often seek to appear cool and gain acknowledgment from their peers in their internet bubble. Personally, I don’t care. Unfortunately, not everyone at our events shares this relaxed view, and some people feel uncomfortable or worse.

Even those who might agree on the topic could be irritated. They came to hear a talk about tech, not some other subjects. And you never know who is listening or how your message might affect listeners.

So yes, it can be a big deal. Please avoid this. There are better ways to convey a message than on a stage provided for a technical talk. We live in an increasingly polarized world, which can lead to real tension at events.

I do not want this at our C++ User Group events. We have always been a friendly and inclusive environment. We stay focused on technology, which is most important to us.

At a technical event with more than a hand full visitors from all around the world, it’s likely that some of the audience will disagree with you.

You cannot be both, inclusive and convey a polarizing political message, especially in offensive language.

If you want everyone to feel welcome, regardless of their national, religious, or cultural background, it is impossible to introduce any contentious political issue. Doing so abandons inclusiveness, which is detrimental to the purpose of the technical events I organize.

Well, I am all for free speech. But if you get a stage for talking about a technological topic, and you submitted a title and an abstract, delivering a surprising political or religious message has nothing to do with free speech. It feels more like the abuse of an opportunity.

As an invited technical speaker, please refrain making political and religious statements on stage. Express such statements on your homepage, blog, social media, or in your private life. But not on a stage provided for technical talks. You will provide a better experience for your audience and yourself by focusing on technical content.

I understand that some people might find my opinion on this topic controversial. But as an event organizer, I have to decide how I feel about such situations. And I do not feel that I am wrong when I try to create a safe environment where everyone can feel welcome and included. Please respect that.