[wtbob]

> I do wish to exclude myself from any community that deliberately includes Yarvin and his ilk.

> I will happily discuss or debate ideas with them on any topic, in any forum where it makes sense to do so.

> But I'm not obligated to drink beer and break bread with them, pretending nothing is wrong.

Is a conference 'drinking beer and breaking bread,' or is it an appropriate forum to 'discuss or debate ideas'?

[st3v3r]

I would posit that it is "drinking beer and breaking bread", or otherwise spending time with, and getting to know others in the profession. I would also argue that a programming conference is not the appropriate forum to discuss or debate ideas related to racism, sexism, etc.

[douche]

That's sort of the question of whether conferences are training and professional development, or thinly veiled junkets...

[SolarNet]

I think it's (intended to be) closer to the first, basically like an academic forum.