[jey]

It seems an overgeneralization to claim that a heterosexual man flirting at a hackathon is by definition "objectifying" her or that it implies that he thinks "that women should be receptive to their advances at any time and in any place". It is equally plausible that he's interested in her as a person (and not as a mere object), and that he respects her right to reject his advances. I acknowledge that it's certainly possible that a man (or woman) could make advances in ways that are disrespectful and that shouldn't be tolerated, but I don't see how expressing romantic or sexual interest in this context is intrinsically evil.

I agree that disrespectful behavior should not be tolerated, but I don't believe that all expressions of romantic interest outside of dating websites and nightclubs are intrinsically disrespectful.

[tedks]

I don't recall stating anything about definitions; however, if you're a man approaching someone at a hackathon, you probably don't know the person otherwise (or you'd do so at a more appropriate place and time) and you're probably doing so on the basis of appearance (i.e., objectifying women). You're probably doing so because you think she'll be receptive (I have no idea what logic constructs these thoughts but men have them nonetheless).

I would say that your comment is a perfect example of male entitlement. Is it really so impossible to restrain yourself for the few hours a hackathon lasts?

Regardless of whether you actually are the one "nice guy" who would be respectful of a declined proposition, women have no such luxury. Because of our cultural focus on blaming women victims of sexual assault, women are taught (and rightly so) to be cautious of men, and a man becoming violent or threatening because of rejection is incredibly common. Forcing a woman to go through an incredibly stressful and frankly frightening experience, because you feel entitled to do so, is simply chauvinist. It demonstrates that you think your right to hit on women is primary compared to women's safety and mental well-being.

If you don't think that's intrinsically evil, I guess you just don't think women are human to the same degree you are, which is pretty common sentiment in tech circles.