Herewith a proposal for a new addition to the Silicon Valley lexicon. Barebacking is a slang term for unprotected sex. Brownnosing is a synonym for fawning, to cultivate favor by obsequious behavior, an activity at which Auren Hoffman, proud owner of the greatest online egowall in the Valley, excels. Senator Sam Brownback is a conservative Republican whose chief of staff once pitied gay sperm for having to swim into feces, showing favor here by being photographed with the consummate Bay Area networker. The proposed new word: brownbacking, borrowing syllables from both barebacking and brownnosing. The definition: to network so promiscuously that one ends up with a disease.

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