Jon Pretty

I'm not sure how to respond to this. I've really tried hard to be inclusive, and Scala World pays all the travel costs of its speakers, and the conference makes a loss which I cover. Yes, I am at almost all Scala conferences, but I pay for myself about 80% of the time.https://twitter.com/katrinsh/status/938433075306008576 …

That's easy Jon: just open the submission, at least some %. For all people who demand to know why I dared to challenge Jon: when someone gathers courage and comes forward, easiest yet dullest thing to do is to discard it as false. Elitism is the biggest threat to Scala community

People asked for more explanation, and I'm glad you've given it. I know you suggested a CfP, but I disagreed because I decided at the outset on a curated programme of speakers based on more than just abstracts. I seek excellence, diversity and coherency in the programme.

How do you achieve the diversity part?

I invite a diverse set of speakers, rather than waiting for them to apply. I chose everyone for the marginal benefit they bring to the programme. A common criticism of CfPs is that minority groups are less likely to apply, but (whether that's true or not) I don't use them.

How single person can feel that he is unbiased is enigma to me. But that's ok. Bottom line: it's your conference Jon, your choice of speakers, people who knew you for many years, you call the shots not to open CfP. That's ALL RIGHT. Let's just not pretend it's a community thing.

I don't really believe I'm unbiased: I am biased. But I do go to almost every Scala conference, and I put in many hours into meeting potential speakers throughout the year to curate the programme. They're not all people I've known for many years, but I do know most.

Hi Jon. That’s not enough to get overcome bias. Any statistician will tell you you need to introduce randomness. Please consider opening at least ONE talk to new speakers. Please also consider helping and coaching them. It would be a huge help to the community.