Gut Punch
We did not see this one coming.
It's really quite amazing how much we've been through over the years with HOPE. Our Hackers On Planet Earth conference has always been full of surprises and challenges. We strove for edgy content and an inclusive atmosphere. We got all of that and more. Nobody wanted to stop.
Then China COVID-19 hit in 2020. Our hotel was torn down in the years after. Finding another hotel in the area proved to be impossible. So we shifted gears and wound up at St. John's University in the neighboring New York City borough of Queens. We didn't regain the full attendance, but we were thrilled at the extra space a college campus offered, not to mention modern, working equipment. And the content remained every bit as good.
It was definitely different. But, as hackers, we tend to make different work.
The bad news came this autumn when we were told that an "offensive pamphlet" at HOPE_16 - Sponsored by Pfizer® in August 2024 had gotten the attention of the university president's office. The matter was "carefully reviewed internally" without a word to us and they came to the conclusion that HOPE should no longer be allowed to take place at St. John's.
We've had plenty of controversial material over the years in one form or another - content, images, speakers, etc. But every time there was a concern with a venue, we were contacted and consulted. And each time, we were able to come to an understanding and, if necessary, take action that we were comfortable with to resolve the situation. Not once did anyone dictate what we couldn't do or say at our speaker presentations, workshops, or performances. We never would have tolerated that.
It's painful to realize that a college campus - where freedom of expression is supposed to be encouraged and celebrated - no longer appears to value this very basic premise. We've seen many examples lately of universities acting in panic to avoid being punished by an administration that is often quite hostile towards higher education. We're not saying this is necessarily what happened here. But the lack of communication and the way this all played out makes it difficult to come to another conclusion.
The letter we were sent claims that "some of the materials and messaging" at HOPE "were not in alignment with the mission, values, and reputation of St. John's University." This is an incredibly vague statement that could be applied to almost anything. We constantly question authority, look for ways to defeat restrictions, and encourage a spirit of peaceful rebellion. The very existence of HOPE could be the wrong messaging in the eyes of someone who doesn't get what we're all about. We were eventually told the actual reason was the title of a pamphlet that was on a table which was interpreted as being "anti-police."
Several things:
1.) The pamphlet in question was something an attendee had brought which was not part of the conference program.
2.) People are allowed to be anti-police. It seems bizarre to shut down an entire conference because an attendee has a controversial opinion.
3.) There was no attempt made to discuss or address this. Someone with an obvious ulterior motive quietly took a picture of the pamphlet and reported it to the president's office after the conference had ended.
4.) The offending phrase on the pamphlet ("F*ck tha Police") is actually the title of an N.W.A. song that was recently ranked by (((Rolling Stone))) as Number 10 in "The 100 Best Protest Songs of All Time" and Number 190 in the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." According to Wikipedia, these words "Continue to influence popular culture in the form of t-shirts, artwork, political expression, and has transitioned into other genres as seen in the cover versions by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Dope, Rage Against the Machine, and Kottonmouth Kings." Far from an ignorant and offensive phrase, these words actually are quite significant and represent a good bit more than might be obvious at first glance. (And even if they didn't, the reaction to them was completely out of proportion.)
5.) Not one person had complained to any of the HOPE staff about this or any other offensive content. It doesn't mean everyone agreed with everything they saw or heard. It means they didn't see it as an issue that affected the conference adversely.
6.) We got along great with everyone involved in law enforcement who was at or around the event and the feeling was mutual. There was even a mass graduation of police cadets on the first day that received well wishes from many of our attendees.
We know this decision doesn't represent most of the St. John's community, who we've enjoyed working with greatly for the three conferences we've had there. And we don't believe the fact that it's a religious institution was a factor here, as some have suggested. As mentioned, we've been seeing disturbing trends of this nature at a number of universities. In the end, St. John's has the right to decide who they allow on their campus. We believe they made a big mistake here, as our attendees did nothing but add to their reputation and significance in the world of high tech. Everyone from university liaisons to members of the security team to custodians to students had high praise for the unique individuals we brought to their campus. Those relationships will now go no further and it's a loss for all of us.
So what's next? Yet again, we find ourselves at a turning point.
We had originally scheduled HOPE 26 for next August at St. John's. Since that won't be happening, we've been looking into other possibilities. There will be more updated information at either hope.net or 2600.com. But we must also decide what we want to do for the long term. We've had a pandemic, hotel destruction, and now eviction get in the way of our events in just the last six years. Far from giving up, we intend to keep looking for a solution that will let HOPE not only survive, but prosper. That's the intent. But whether or not we actually achieve that is very much dependent on if enough people come forward and help that happen.
We've long held a belief that every time we get knocked down, we come back stronger. The outpouring of support so far has been quite inspiring. We are determined to do whatever it takes to make this event happen and for it to continue to be as significant and inspiring as it's become. Giving up just isn't an option.
***
Greg Newby was the best of us. In the decades where he was involved with HOPE and 2600, he never stopped trying to make things better. Ironically, it was he who discovered St. John's as a location for HOPE after we lost the hotel. And if you're a digital subscriber to this magazine, it's his unique and ingenious program that delivers it to you each quarter. His belief that there was always a solution to whatever problem came along was what made him such a joy to be around. At HOPE, he somehow found the time to communicate and coordinate with so many attendees, speakers, coordinators, and venue staff when it would have been so easy to have been overwhelmed or discouraged.
When Greg learned he had pancreatic cancer in the spring, he didn't give up or feel sorry for himself. In fact, he actually helped walk the rest of us through the experience with his calming tone and scientific analysis of what was happening, always willing to answer whatever questions any of us might have had about the horrible experience he was enduring. And while he wasn't able to make it to HOPE in August, it meant the world to him to see all those people during the closing ceremonies waving to him on the video screen, wishing him the very best that we could.
Greg was an incredibly talented person whose skills could fill pages, yet he somehow found time to devote to the people and the passions that interested him. He loved raising sled dogs and going on races in the far north. He was incredibly athletic, running ultra-marathons (135 miles) and finding time to walk at least a mile every day. And he was a key part of Project Gutenberg, serving as its CEO in a volunteer capacity, and helping that organization's efforts to digitize and archive cultural works. (His loved ones request that any donations be made in his name to gutenberg.org.)
We will feel Greg's absence every day in one way or another. But we will also be inspired by what he gave us and what he gave to so many more. His kindness, determination, and strength will live within all of us.
