Hacker News Reader

Comment by rob74 | Hacker News Reader

> There are laws, but as long as you mind your own business and don't disturb others, you will be left alone.

that's exactly what differentiates developed from developing countries: the rule of law. Not saying that it's perfect in developed countries (far from it), but at least you don't have to fear being arrested and face life imprisonment for something that's "generally tolerated", but in your special case wasn't because the police officer didn't like how you looked, or you didn't pay the customary bribe.

View on HN

The distinction between developed and developing countries you think is so clearcut is actually not so clear

"the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of sodomy laws in Bowers v. Hardwick in 1986. However, in 2003, the Supreme Court changed opinion and reversed the decision with Lawrence v. Texas, invalidating sodomy laws in the remaining 14 states: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodomy_laws_in_the_United_St...

That looks like the rule of law working as expected to me?

You do realize that 20 years ago it was wrong to be gay in various US states, right? And I'm saying this with the consideration that most of the world sees the US as the most advanced country on the planet.

The rule of law was correctly implemented. Whether the law was morally correct or not is completely orthogonal to that fact.

So is the law implemented in various countries in Africa. It's up to you if you want to break the law by going there or not.

And it's up to the PSF if they want to fund a conference in a country with unconscionable laws.

> most of the world sees the US as the most advanced country on the planet.

With all due respect, mostly the US sees the US as the most advanced country

How many places in Africa are sufficiently "developed" based on your definition? Should they postpone all Python conferences until they develop the rule of law?

People from the countries that implemented progressive policies sometimes show unreasonable arrogance by expecting the whole world to change instantly according to the freedoms they're used to at home.

Or maybe accept that when you’re organising a global event, you need to be able to provide a safe space keeping in mind that you’re hosting guests that don’t necessarily embrace your “way of life”.

no conference organizer can provide a safe space from the law. the only really safe option is to not go there.

Yes, that's indeed the point being made.

You can't do that. For the same reason Africans might be offended by customs in the US.

I feel like this discussion is going places where it was never supposed to go.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com