I think the article mentions how in the good old days, conventions didn't have (or need) codes of conduct and a politically correct squad on standby to escort people out of the building if they made innocuous jokes that anyone turning on the TV to watch a sitcom gets peppered with (followed by laugh tapes to make sure people understand that it was supposed to be funny).

What was said code of conduct? Saying things in a certain tone of voice is not allowed? Referring to a dongle as being big is not allowed? Their claimed violation was all very up for debate TBF.

The good old days? Seriously? Hearkening back to a mythical golden age is your response?

This is the code of conduct: https://us.pycon.org/2013/about/code-of-conduct/

In particular, I think this was the part that was violated: "All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks."

The jokes were about forking and big dongles; they were obvious sexual references. The maker of the joke, the overhearer, and the people running the conference all agreed that it was a code of conduct violation, so there's nothing really up for debate about that.

That you don't understand why these codes were created or what practical benefit they have means little other that you haven't taken the time to learn anything before opening your mouth.

Apparently the reference to "forking" and "dongles" could be considered sexual, if you squint enough. Never mind that it was a private conversation and Richards wasn't a part of it - she needed to get her outrage quota for the day so she photographed the jokers and tweeted it to tens of thousands of people with her martyrdom narrative appended.