[tptacek]

Oh, good point about the conference sponsor stuff.

Still: there's a big gulf of persuasive evidence between saying someone is not acting in the moment as an effective representative for their firm, and in directly procuring the severance of an employment contract between them and their employer.

I think this case, or any case in the other direction, is extremely far fetched.

[anigbrowl]

Indeed. Likewise, a counter-suit would be reaching for the outer limits of what constitutes emotional distress. That's why I'm hoping it won't end up in court; both sides would have to make stretch arguments, and the underlying issues would get lost in all the kindergarten Constitution-thumping and posturing.

When I was a young internet evangelist I used to think that always-on internet availability would lead to a breakout of civil communication in some sort of 21st century Agora. Unfortunately, I overlooked the fact that people behave badly in crowds.