I did not know who Kathy Sierra was until a few moments ago. Nor did I care. Apparently, Kathy is some form of tech-guru about something I am still not really sure about. Her blog does not really make it clear who she is. But lets put that aside for the time being. The significance of this all is that miss Sierra was threatened with death! Again, normally I could not care less. Then I proceeded to read her article and I was baffled. Not by the death threats mind you, but by the mind-numbing actions (or lack thereof) that somehow seem rational in miss Sierra’s mind.
For reference’s sake, this is the post that I am referring to. Read it first, then join us on our fabulous quest within Kathy Sierra’s mind!
“As I type this, I am supposed to be in San Diego, delivering a workshop at the ETech conference. But I’m not. I’m at home, with the doors locked, terrified.”
When I first read these lines, I thought it was serious. Never was my mind more mistaken.
“fuck off you boring slut… i hope someone slits your throat and cums down your gob”
Fast forward, this is the first threat she received. And I am using the word ‘threat’ loosely here. Just as loose as the knot around Sierra’s neck (I’m sorry, that was too easy). Anyway, as even my retarded brother who is chained to a Linkin Park poster will be able to tell; what’s the big deal?
“(The law is clear–to encourage or suggest someone’s death is just as illegal as claiming you intend to do it yourself).”
Now this startled me. According to this logic, I’m a federal criminal. Also, I’m pretty sure those laws were devised to prevent hate-mongering propaganda and brainwashing, not e-threats.
“But when it was my turn, somebody crossed a line. They posted a photo of a noose next to my head, and one of their members (posting as “Joey”) commented “the only thing Kathy has to offer me is that noose in her neck size.””
I’ve never heard of a neck size before, you learn something new everyday. Also, it is neither funny nor actually threatening.
“* The guy who wrote this is anonymous (to me… I’m sure the people behind the site know exactly who made that comment and who posted the photo). I have no way of knowing just how disturbed he might be.”
Somehow I doubt that, the world is not some big conspiracy theory and the Jews are not behind 9/11.
“* Normally sane adults don’t cross that line, especially when they know they’re breaking federal law.”
Newsflash; sanity is, in fact, quite rare. And you miss, do not posses it.
Honestly, this is pathetic. I stared at it for the better part of five minutes and I still can’t figure out what the hell it is. Is it blood or gore? Is it some elaborate suffocation device? To be honest, it looks more like an upside-down panty.
Seem like typical internet-posts to me, nothing out of the ordinary really. Doesn’t make it any less sick of course.
“I do not want to be part of a culture–the Blogosphere–where this is considered acceptable. Where the price for being a blogger is kevlar-coated skin and…´
Let’s not overreact here. Plus, I would pay a fortune to have my skin coated with kevlar.
“I do not want to be part of a culture where this is done not by some random person, but by some of the most respected people in the tech blogging world.”
Wow, if I read this correctly, Kathy does not want to be ‘intimidated’ by respected people, but random persons are okay? It’s like an aeroplane just crashed into my logic tower.
“more borderline emo-bullshit”
To be honest, I can understand how it must feel to receive a death threat that you perceive as serious. I imagine that it would be quite a shock and warning the police is the most prudent thing to do. However, keep in mind that it is only the internet. Kathy Sierra is clearly overreacting by not attending some conference. If it is that big a deal, hire security, or demand security free of charge. But honestly, I can not even begin to count the times me or my mother/father/brother/sister has been threatened with death online. And frankly, even the real-life threats were not that scary.
In conclusion; Kathy, get over it. What you have just experienced is called the price of fame. And instead of cowering and basically giving in (they don’t care either way, I assure you) how about you let me be the first to great you with:
WELCOME TO THE INTERNET.
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March 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I don’t agree with you. Kathy did the best thing. You’re being naive in your interpretation of the threats she received.