Comments on: Are Scoble & Sierra Wrong To Stop Blogging?

By: rj

rj — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

As harsh as it may be, it has to be said.

By: ralphg

ralphg — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Bloggers often work by themselves, and so feel cut off from the safety that community otherwise affords them.

Getting threats can be unnerving until you learn to fight back, as your column ably states.

By: badbanana

badbanana — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Very well said. Quitting is not the right response. If we stifle our own voices, the bullies win.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Death threats and pornographic abuse are not acceptable in any context. If you think that needs discussing, you’re one sad puppy.

By: Cord Silverstein

Cord Silverstein — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Very well written post and I agree with you. Quiting just gives into the haters and they win. I understand Kathy is scared, but Scoble makes no sense to me. Thanks

By: JoJo

JoJo — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

All very nice.

But these threats were posted, and therefore endorsed, by supposedly responsible and legitimate sites.

Wouldn't it be nice if you had mentioned that these threats are not responsible, can have damaging effects on their targets (whether they stop or continue to blog), and should NOT be tolreated by those sites or the general community.

You say of the threats "Not nice". Have you even read what was posted? The comments are chilling and disturbing even to readers who were not the target. Imagine being the target and having children to worry about.

The solution to this problem is not to argue over whether Kathy Sierra should or should not react to these threats but to create a community where this sort of discource is denounced as illegitimate.

Where are your calls for those sites to police against criminal activity as death threats certainly are.

Where's the outrage?

By: JoJo

JoJo — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

All very nice.

But these threats were posted, and therefore endorsed, by supposedly responsible and legitimate sites.

You say of the threats "Not nice". Have you even read what was posted? The comments are chilling and disturbing even to readers who were not the target. Imagine if they were directed at you.

The solution to this problem is not to debate whether Kathy Sierra should or should not react to these threats but to create a community where this sort of discourse is denounced as illegitimate.

Where are your calls for those sites to police against criminal activity as death threats certainly are.

Where's the outrage?

By: JoJo

JoJo — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

All very nice.

But these threats were posted, and therefore endorsed, by supposedly responsible and legitimate sites.

You say of the threats "Not nice". Have you even read what was posted? The comments are chilling and disturbing even to readers who were not the target. Imagine if they were directed at you.

The solution to this problem is not to debate whether Kathy Sierra should or should not react to these threats but to create a community where this sort of discourse is denounced as illegitimate.

Where are your calls for those sites to police against criminal activity as death threats certainly are.

I reiterate. The posts in question were not name calling or strongly worded opinion. They were grotesque and graphic threats of violence.

So I simply ask where's the outrage?

By: Rob Humphreys

Rob Humphreys — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Piers…great post. In short, hell yes they are wrong to stop blogging. :)

By: Chris Heuer

Chris Heuer — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I have to agree with you wholeheartedly. I also want to say to JoJo that this piece in no way condones the actions of the anonymous people and their ugly attacks but in fact suggests pursuit of criminal action against the perpetrators. (Did we read the same post?) The mere fact that some people are not as outraged or afraid of such threats is by no means an indicator of approval - in this case it is merely an analysis of the reaction and a suggestion for an alternate response.

I am writing more about this tomorrow, despite my fear of people like JoJo misunderstanding the broader issues here and slamming me for an objective view of the entire situation and everyone's vsceral reaction to it.

By: Daniel Hertlein

Daniel Hertlein — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Personally, I wish Scoble would stay gone as I've never understood why anyone read him and lately he's gotten so childish and unprofessional about not getting enough credit from "bigger" bloggers that this latest move doesn't seem uncharacteristic at all.
I don't know enough about Kathy's situation to have an opinion on it except to say that the fact that violence is always wrong doesn't mean that you have to live your life in fear at the mention of it.
Bloggers especially have to be aware that EVERYONE is watching and commenting is as easy as typing. If you're going to run for cover everytime some nut job decides to take it too far, you might as well not even come out in the first place. Chris is right. Don't let yourself be a victim.

By: Amelia

Amelia — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Piers, I have to say I totally disagree with you. I am not sure if you saw the images and the stuff that was written? It was sexually threatening, disgusting and totally unacceptable.
Why should Kathy just get over it and forget about it because it was posted online instead of posted in the mail? If it was in the mail it would be totally illegal.
There is a huge difference between online criticism and threats of violent death.
Do we really want to say anything goes just because it was posted on a blog??

By: Amelia

Amelia — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2051580,00.html
Interesting article on this