<p><pre><code>    &gt; However it&#x27;s more like putting up a sign on a hotel
    &gt; saying &quot;Murder and mayhem will not be tolerated.&quot;
</code></pre>
I have previously held that view, but now think that was mostly a function of my white male privilege. If you go to a hotel proprietor and report murder and mayhew, you have a reasonable expectation that it will be dealt with properly. Many people apparently did not have this expectation of technical conferences, based on their experiences. Many people like myself - who hadn&#x27;t had those experiences - assumed it was so obvious it didn&#x27;t need saying.<p><pre><code>    &gt; This draws in predators
</code></pre>
I think that&#x27;s right, but is a massive simplification. I think good people can act in ways that make other people feel uncomfortable, without meaning to, and that also needs some consideration.<p><pre><code>    &gt; The term &quot;code of conduct&quot; is itself a problem as it
    &gt; strongly suggests &quot;behave or else!&quot;
</code></pre>
Really? To me it says &quot;these are our expectations&quot;.<p><pre><code>    &gt; Do you have a better explanation for the antagonism
    &gt; many feel (and I personally used to feel) towards
    &gt; codes of conduct?
</code></pre>
I think many men growing up have negative formative experiences with certain women who have considerably more social power than them (for simplicity: the popular girls!) exerting it to make them feel ashamed. They see potential for what they see as a safe space being used against them. They have a genuine fear of their well-intentioned actions being used to label them as a <i>bad person</i>. They see the Adria Richards and Pycon examples as a realization of their worst fears in this area.