This list of the five ways geeks are not very socially adept was mentioned in the recent (continuing) kerfuffle about an incident at last weekend's WorldCon. Now, I'm not gonna get into that, aside from referencing a few relevant sites, but I actually think the Geek Falacies List is pretty apt. And I know I know at least a coupla Geeks who could learn from it.

Some of 'em more than others.

Fer instance, one of the (unintended, I'm sure) results of the whole mess in SF/F Fandom is that other women (and a few men, too) have come forward to say, "Hey, I've been groped/assaulted/whatever at a Con, too, and isn't it time we said ENOUGH? Shouldn't we try to make Cons a more safe/less harrowing place?" And thus, a Livejournal community is born, wherein members pledge to not only not lay hands on each other unless there's been specific permission given, but to also beat soundly (or at least intervene with) anyone who tries anything not explicitly permitted, all within a specific hands-off zone, complete with signage and buttons.

It's a sad state of affairs when this kind of thing is made necessary, but Cons often mean you're dealing with a bunch of people who may not be the top mammals in the pyramid when it comes to respecting each others' personal space.

And so it's likely better than the alternative.