Language in the Workplace

Examining profanity in the workplace, particularly in the tech industry.

Transcript

1. A Presentation by Tara Scherner de la Fuente Language in the Workplace:
3. Scott Hanselman (Microsoft and major programmer dude): “I believe that having S*** and F*** in your conference slides or titles doesn’t make you cool or professional, or a better coder. It makes you look crass.”
10. David Heinemeier Hansson: “The emotions [profanities] raise can’t be reached as succinctly with other tools. They’re powerful. When chosen with deliberate consideration, they aren’t a cop- out; they’re the strongest way to connect with a particular audience.”
12. Zach Holman (one of the first engineers at Github): “I love words. And those words evoke a lot of emotion. I want presentations to be emotional. I want a story to be told...it's certainly a stylistic choice I've made (and connected with). I actually am fine with offending or alienating a few. Because I believe it lets me connect deeper with others.”
14. Hanselman “You take no chances of offending by not swearing, but you guarantee to offend someone if you do.”