Distressing News Options

[bwelford]

Kathy Sierra is one of my most favourite bloggers and I was devastated to read what she currently feels may be her last post. Apparently she has been receiving death threats in comments on her blog.

The matter is now in the hands of the police, but what grieves me most is that apparently some supposedly responsible bloggers took no action to curtail malicious postings on some other blogs. It's not a question of free speech. It's a question of doing what is morally right.

[Moved from our members only section to the Blogs section because this is a matter that concerns all Bloggers, as well as touches on social media, Internet ethics, etc. KKB]

This post has been edited by cre8pc: Mar 26 2007, 09:10 PM

[joedolson]

It's extremely sad - one of the named parties (Frank Payne) has publically apologized to her, but it's still not clear who was actually responsible for the attacks.

I sincerely hope this doesn't end Kathy's contributions to the blogosphere: but I can certainly understand if it does. It's truly horrible.

[Jozian]

Thank you for the heads up, Barry. But you ruined my day.

Below is the comment I leave for kathy:

Kathy-

I dont know you, but I am pretty familiar with the class of scum that think posts like that are funny, or worse, not funny. And the class of people just above them that apparently don't have enough moral character to police their own blogs and expose vile excuses for humanity like the one(s) harassing you.

This world we live in has hundreds, maybe thousands, of moral attrocities committed daily. But your fear strikes a place close to home for me.

If there is something I, or any of us kindred outraged masses, can do for you and your famility, to make you safe, please let us know.

It's not such a great day to be a member of the human race.

-Jozian

[projectphp]

I gotta say, that is a terribly difficult situation. It only takes one nutter, unfortunately, and there is always at least one. One bullet is enough to kill you, and the fact there are plenty of supporters is irrelevant, because that one person can do real damage.

I can't judge what Kathy did, because I would do same undoubtedly, but really, giving in is the worst imaginable thing.

Freaks want recognition, to know they caused you pain. That post itself would give them that feeling of power and is, IMHO a massive mistake. Unfortunately people, and women in particular, tend to think everyone responds to the emotional pain of others. But people, men in particular, that have perverted (as in opposite) needs, actually enjoy a sad post like that, they revel in having caused Kathy fear, and are proud (as sick as that seems) to know they caused her to change her plans.

A philosopher (Plato I think) said the opposite of love isn't ahte, it is indifference. When someone cares about you deeply and they are of no concern to you, that is truly the opposite. The only way to fight obsession is not by recognizing the situation, but instead by completely, totally and utterly ignoring the situation, at least publically. IMHO, the best thing to do is to ignore the freaks, and never, ever let them know either that they got to you, nor have any effect on you whatsoever.

[cre8pc]

Incredibly devastating news.

Her experience is not unusual but her fame brings harrassment out front where we can see it.

I've said it before in my writings, that the Internet mirrors physical life. Soon, popular bloggers will need body guards. While not death threats, the vile remarks remind me of what I find in Digg.

[sanity]

That is horrendous, disgraceful and utterly frightening. My heart goes out to Kathy.

[the search jedi]

I encourage everyone in the blogosphere to encourage Kathy. Small people succeed in their efforts only when we fold under their small ways.

Stick with it, girl! We're behind you!

[bragadocchio]

Thanks for pointing that post out, Barry.

I left a comment, too. I'd encourage others to do the same. Reading Kathy's blog always leaves me feeling good, and wanting to write better..

I'd hate to see her stop.

[SEOigloo]

This is atrocious. Apart from being incredibly sad for Kathy Sierra, I feel incredibly frightened for her.

Can anyone tell me...can't the comments be traced??

I will be shocked if they can't, and if the person/persons responsible for these threats cannot be found and held accountable for what they have just done to completely destroy this woman's sense of safety, and basically, life. How is this any different from receiving a death threat via any other medium (mail, phone)? I am sincerely hoping that Ms. Sierra has some strong legal counsel about this and that something can be done to protect her and empower her.

This news has made me ill.
I'm a praying sort of woman...so I'll be praying for Kathy and her family.

In the meantime, if anyone can share on this thread any information they might have about possible legal recourse a blogger would have in this situation, it is probably something we should all learn about.
Miriam

[A.N.Onym]

I suspect the right governmental services can get ahold of that information (from the ISPs, blog stats, etc), but it'd require some effort to make them do it, I'd guess.

I didn't see clear explicit death threats, just malicious attention seeking. Maybe that's just me, though.

[JohnMu]

That's just sick and sad.

<speachless>

[eKstreme]

What a revolting situation. I hope Kathy holds out and the police find the sick jerk.

Pierre

[TCSM]

Welcome to the internet. The world of "You can't see my face, so I can do whatever I want"

Excuse my French, but %^&* that $%^*. Kathy is an awesomely talented writer, and it'll be a damn shame to lose her voice from our collective soapbox, if she truly does stop.

And as for those *insert expletive here* "people" that stirred this up, they should be taken to jail, and be left there. For a long time.

This post has been edited by TCSM: Mar 27 2007, 03:23 AM

[AppleVenus]

It makes me sad and angry that people do this.

Hang in there Kathy, and don't let them stop you from doing what you do so well.

[eKstreme]

The BBC picked it up: here. Hopefully this rally will bring a shift against the creeps that do these things.

Pierre

[cre8pc]

BlogHer co-founder has a thoughtful writeup: Hating Hate Speech: Safety for Kathy Sierra and all women online

Interestingly, some of the people Kathy names in her post insist they were not the authors of some of the vicious comments. Which brings forth the point that comments can be faked. All you need for most blogs is a name, email address and URL to post. There's no way to prove the author is really the author of the comments.

[fixed "proof". S/B "prove"]

This post has been edited by cre8pc: Mar 27 2007, 01:28 PM

[AppleVenus]

There's no way to proof the author is really the author of the comments.

That's the most frightening aspect of these episodes, it could be someone 10,000 miles away or it could be the guy down the road.

AV