[Clapping.]

I don’t know about Kathy Sierra situation,that thanks for the suggest. I think is exaggerated considering this form of communication in this way: it’s true,blog are important in Internet connection but remain personal diaries in every way.

Technology does not absolve one from the responsibility and capability of being human, having values and treating others as human beings. Because a fighter pilots cannot see the individuals they’re carpet bombing does not absolve their actions. Because U.S. citizen’s can’t see prisoners in other countries subjected to extreme rendition doesn’t absolve the action of the government. Technology is not an excuse for relinquishing being fully human.

Not once did I ever say that technology absolved humanity. Reread what I wrote very carefully, and also read Rape in Cyberspace.

Technology CHANGES what it means to be human, but does not change fundemental humanity.

Perhaps putting forth values of human respect is not a sign of idiocy and ignorance.

But putting forth human respect without regards for the medium that will transmit said respect (because it is entirely mediated in this realm) is myopic in the extreme, which is what I am arguing.

I wouldn’t say to the “extreme”. I don’t think most people involved in this discussion are as stupid as portrayed here. It makes good argument to describe one side or another as an ideal positive or negative, but is probably inaccurate and moves away from discourse and understanding.

Surely the whole definition of rape in cyberspace belittles the victims of such horrific crimes in the physical world. Rape is one of the lowest most despicable crimes that a human can inflict on another. I find it worrying that so much thought has been used up in the condemnation of such web based craziness. A rape defines that one human forces physical sex on another. A pc can easily be turned off, power denied, connection ended. Where as in the real world there are no choices and the consequence are very tangible.

I am so pissed about this I can’t even see straight. I just was sent what they wrote on MeanKids about Maryam.

Did you see that? You wouldn’t be making so much fun of it if it were YOUR wife.

I want a personal apology in public from all involved.

“I am Ethan here, and elsewhere.

But at the same time, I’m no one in particular, no where in particular and feel very good about that.”

Isn’t that partly the point - and the reason that Kathy is afraid? She is Kathy, highly visible and traceable … you can find her at a conference easily, a book signing or even at her workplace or home.

This turns an anonymous threat into a veiled and persistent personal terror. Sure this sort of thing is not new — but it certainly makes you draw breath when it happens to you. As Michael says above “in the real world there are no choices and the consequence are very tangible.”

Robert et al:

This did happen to me. In fact, in the 15 years I’ve been on the Internet, similar things have been said about my wife, myself, my sister and my family. I was fearful for my personal safety at times (a few of them), and the safety of others.

There was in fact an entire discussion board centered around a group of people and their hatred for me.

However, when presented with this, I did not choose to make it a link-bait fight with much handwaving and false indignation (while watching hits). Instead I made a calm and reasoned and private response.

This whole episode reeks of self serving indignation, nothing genuine from any party. Its much mock terror and holier-than-thou attitudes that comes down to people saying the same thing:

“On the Internet, people are mean!”

NO SHIT

I’m sorry, but this is like a pity train gone out of control, and everyone is jumping on board to see their name in lights on techmeme rather than saying anything meaningful or adding to the discourse in any way, shape or form.

People are mean, on the net and everywhere else. As I also run a large community/forum as Ethan does I’ve also experience threats, death threats, character attacks, and also had other ‘communities’ formed around hating me. Stalkers have been no exception either.

There are ways to deal with all of these things legally, quietly, and effectively. Hiding behind a locked door doesn’t really accomplish anything.

It doesn’t make sense to me that people expressing their values is “circle jerking”, “self serving indignation”, “link-bait fight with much handwaving and false indignation”. This may be true for some, but to say it is true for all is false. And to remove ability to make value judgments is to take away a basic human capability and quality from internet activity.

So, what makes your opinion on this matter any more valuable than everybody else’s? What gives you the right to tell someone, in public, how to respond to death threats?

How did your post help Kathy? Everyone else?

Piers: ITS MY FUCKING BLOG.

End of story. No one says any opinion matters than most. We all have blogs because we THINK that ours does.

Ah yes, your blog. Terribly sorry. I humbly apologise for giving your opinions serious consideration and having the temerity to disagree with you here.

You seem to have a pretty low opinion of others’ motives based on very little evidence; maybe you should examine your own.

My motive:

Have an opinion
State it
Let the chips fall where they may.

I did all three things in this case, and they have fallen.

And then there’s your inferences:

“I did not choose to make it a link-bait fight with much handwaving and false indignation (while watching hits)”

A fine thing to say about someone in Kathy’s situation. ‘Oh yes, I’ve received threats of violence, but I’m so much better than Kathy because I didn’t freak out about it.’

I particularly liked the bit about watching hits. Charming.

you’re a very straight forward person but i like you…