To clarify, @tyrell_turing, I think you're in the category of 'powerful people making strong pronouncements' that @o_guest mentioned in this thread. In my interpretation, she's not worried about how the thread impacted you but how your participation may impact others.
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It really was such a terrible experience. And I mean within science Twitter. There are some very horrible views and behaviours, which I have a thick skin to interpersonally but no tolerance for on a higher level.
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And the reason it happens is because people don't notice, and through ignorance and inaction really exclusive spaces that harm are formed. I don't want to contribute to a space even indirectly which is even 1% toxic without calling it out.
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I've had to leave a couple of toxic academic environments. They shared the characteristic that any discussion would devolve into a small group of male professors literally yelling at each other. If you're in that group or can imagine joining it, that can be a lot of fun, I gather
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Once, when I tried to bring up some of the more heinous aspects of their culture, I was literally asked to leave, essentially for not assimilating. Basically 'play by our rules or gtfo'
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Yeah, as you surmised, it *can* be fun if you're comfortable with aggression and willing to muscle your way in. So, I bet the reaction to you was, "we're having fun, back off". But, science needs to be a professional place that is welcoming to all - a culture change is required.
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Yep, their reaction was indeed "you're ruining our fun". But for the record, I wasn't even trying to bring up their combative discussions. I was trying to get them to stop encouraging sexual harassment!
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Oh, JFC, that was just completely inexcusable of them then!!! They should have listened to you either way, but "we're having fun fighting each other" is a far, far more acceptable infringement of professional conduct than, "we're having fun encouraging sexual harassment"!
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Why is it exclusionary communities like these end up being all like this? If you only have "white dudes", you end up doing "locker room talk" apparently.

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But, more generally, even if I were a big wig, I’m having trouble seeing the issue with my participation in the thread... regardless of status, what’s wrong with having strong positions and stating them in a respectful manner?