zlacker

I reluctantly agree that in the context of a classroom discussion, a sexualized (even if SFW) image is not ideal, primarily because it's a distraction from the subject. I also recognize the point that technical disciplines have enough trouble attracting female participants without making the problem worse.

I feel reluctant to admit this because there always lots of people more than ready to be offended by anything, and giving in to their demands encourages them to demand the next thing. The author acknowledges this can go too far, and it is a slippery slope. So I only agree with reluctance, in this one case, that the best thing is to drop the Lena image.

But to me, the author goes too far. Avoiding any "needless" offense would have many people walking on eggshells all the time in an unnecessary effort to appeal to the unreasonable. Life is rough. Unless we are completely boring, sterile people with not a single original or interesting thought, we're bound to offend and be offended. Instead of trying so hard to have everyone like us, I think it would be preferable to expose people to many, sometimes offensive, perspectives, and to have vigorous debates about them.

Giving offense is not a virtue in itself, but stifling ingenious or even interesting thoughts merely to avoid giving offense is a vice. The people among us worth emulating are not those who will go to great lengths to avoid giving offense, but those with a passionate and unique perspective -- people who are willing to offend, if need be, to communicate those thoughts.