Kathy Sierra's story will frighten women bloggers world wide. Kathy has received a series of death threats which have forced her to cancel a public appearance at ETech in San Diego and suspend her blog. Besides the threats the campaign also included a post that featured a picture of her next to a noose. Kathy has been receiving death threats for four weeks now.
I have spent a while on her blog 'Creating Passionate Users' reading some of her recent posts. Her style is informative and friendly. There is not threatening tone or abusive comments against anybody. Even her post about the death threats and her decision to stop blogging and not to attend the conference is factual. I really cannot see anything that could have started somebody or a group of somebodies off on this hate campaign.
Of course what the web allows is just that. Somebodies. It is the ideal territory for stalking and anonymous threats. This is where the nasties come out to play. It must somehow provide vicarious pleasure, otherwise why do this to a really pleasant and friendly person who writes a blog? It must provide some form of satisfaction that they, the attackers, are able to frighten people to such an extent, they are unable to leave their home anymore.
A question has been asked and commented on, inspired by these incidents against Kathy Sierra and that is whether these attacks are predominantly targeted against women? Could this be considered a kind of cyber rape? If one reads the report on Kathy's blog, some of the threats describe some explicit violent sexual acts which the authors are imagining they are inflicting.
I'm going to leave it at that. Don't want to start some sort of nasty attack directed at me. A shame really that we feel we need to gag ourselves. Kathy, I am really sorry this happened to you. I hope they catch the people behind the threats and verbal attacks and that you may feel safe again sharing your invaluable opinions and expertise. Read: www.anjamerret.com
» left by Avis Ward(8,613) Avis Ward (1 year 135 days ago.)
Anja, a lovely name and informative article. I visited Karen Sierra's blog and experienced chills. Fortunately, I feel this is the exception and not the norm. I also visited your site. I could spend the day there! Thank you for sharing. All the best to you and keep submitting articles! I'd love to read more from you. Warmest regards, Avis Ward. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 135 days ago.)
Thanks Avis. Your comment has really made my day!
Anja Respond to this comment
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