Was Kathy Sierra's Life Threatened?

Kathy Sierra, high-profile blogger, writer and speaker, feels her life is in danger based on comments left at a now-closed site. Her post regarding the incident can be found at her site, Creating Passionate Users.

From reading the comments at her post and from trying to search out responses from those accused, it is apparent that charges and denials are flying about the blogosphere. It also appears that many of us our willing to come to conclusions without a thorough understanding or knowledge of what happened.

I have spent much of the past two hours researching this. I think there are still lots of unknowns about who did what and their intentions. At first glance, I think Kathy has been hurt but that she may have made some unsubstantiated accusations (guesses), as well. Furthermore, I am not a fan of going public, as Kathy did, when apparently the police are conducting an investigation, and evidence is still being gathered and processed.

On the other hand, my heart goes out to her if she truly feels threatened and at risk. I don't know any of the characters in this real-life drama, actually had not previously heard of them, nor have I ever read anything they have written. So, I have no way of knowing what Kathy or any of those accused must be feeling at this time.

One of the problems that concerns me as a long-time writer is that once in print, everything written becomes fact in someone's mind, and in our blogosphere the danger of passing along untrue accusations can be as harmful as Kathy's concerns are for her safety because of hurtful and irresponsible comments that seemed aimed at her.

I guess it's the former journalist in me that is unwilling to take a side or pass judgment on this specific incident other than to say that hurtful language is never to be admired and if it becomes threatening it is to be condemned. Meanwhile, I urge all of us to take a deep breath and let the facts in this case surface before reaching conclusions.

Note: Check out Seth's Misogyny and anonymity for a smart take on blogging inspired by this incident.

Comments

[David Armano]

Lewis,

I think you make a very good point about the need to look at both sides before coming to conclusions. I did a little research as well and it's not completely consistant with how Kathy portrays it...

HOWEVER

I think what it boils down to is that when someone chooses to support a forum or participate they way those individuals did—they take a big risk in getting lots of mud on themselves.

It's all ugly. Not sure how I would handle a situation like this. It really does suck that people can't express displeasure without getting vulgar. That may be the lesson of all this. It's simply not worth it. We can disagree without going into the gutter like this and we should, the alternative isn't good for anyone.

I hear where you are coming from. I understand your desire to caution...

What a crappy deal. But I guess it's all part of human nature.

[Lewis Green]

David,

I have little patience with those who personally attack others, no matter their reasons for doing so. Intelligent people can disagree honorably and with language that isn't hurtful to anything other than pride. I agree, this incident is ugly.

I am proud of every site in my blog roll, and chose each one carefully for its honesty as much as for its insights into our crafts (and our art). I will immediately delete any listing that fails to live up to exceptional standards of fairness, respect and dignity toward others. We can, and sometimes should, criticize ideas, products, messaging, and so much more that flows through our minds' inboxes. But it does not serve us well to attack the person behind those ideas.

[Gavin Heaton]

I am with you on carefully selecting your blogroll, Lewis.

When you blog you do so in open public view ... and we all do so with a tacit understanding that parts of our lives are open to the scrutiny of others. DA has photos of his kids on his blog ... so does Russell Davies. Kathy Sierra puts up her speaking schedule. BUT our "tacit understanding" suddenly changes with the threat of REAL violence. And let's be clear ... it wasn't just a small threat. It wasn't isolated.

In many ways this is not about the "facts". It is about the actual behaviour of a small group of high profile bloggers -- some of whom have been trying to defend their "position". Tara has an interesting take, and it is a shame that others have not come out in the same way -- http://www.horsepigcow.com/2007/03/27/the-unsinkable-kathy-sierra/

While I know of few of the people involved, I am aware of some of their work (ie Cluetrain). Sheds a new light on some of the ideological underpinnings.

[Mack Collier]

"I think there are still lots of unknowns about who did what and their intentions."

Lewis this is EXACTLY why I haven't blogged about this yet. After doing some research of my own I *think* I have a good idea of what happened, and why it happened. But still, I'm not positive of anything. The only thing I know for sure is that Kathy is very upset, and IMO has every right to be.

The rest is still unclear, to varying degrees. I have a feeling that we'll all know what actually happened soon.

[Carolyn Manning]

I posted about this last night because, no matter how things actually went down and, no matter the outcome, it's simply not acceptable behavior.

[Lewis Green]

Hurting people in any way is unacceptable. And that includes everyone named in this horrible incident. Thanks Carolyn for commenting.

[Lewis Green]

Mack,

Thank you for taking a responsible approach to this. I felt that I needed to say something to encourage fellow bloggers to take a deep breath, let the emotions mellow a bit, and then wait for the facts to roll in.

[Lewis Green]

As always, Gavin, thank you for sharing. I don't want the blogosphere to become a voice for hate or meanness, but blogs are a reflection of all the planet's minds. Therefore, we can expect a wide range of postings, some adding to our community, some subtracting from it. Those who choose to be mean-spirited will find an audience: I won't be in it.

[gianandrea]

lewis, i posted a comment on what happened to ks, even if i do not know her nor her blog. and i'm not so interested in knowing more about the facts.
my point is that posting comments and pictures as those i saw is not acceptable for any reason.

[Lewis Green]

Gianandrea,

Meanness is unacceptable, I agree.

[flic]

Nicely said. You might be interested in the Kathy Sierra poll .

[Karen Schell]

Rape and murder threats are now just "hurtful language"?

It's evident why you are a "former journalist" -even the "Daily Misogynist" would fire someone so clueless.

KS

[Lewis Green]

Karen,

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate all points of view. However, no where in my post do I equate threats to harmful language. But your personal attack of me is what I do mean by hurtful language. Here, specifically, is what I say: "...hurtful language is never to be admired and if it becomes threatening it is to be condemned." As you can see, I intentionally separate hurtful language from threats.

[Bob Glaza]

I'm pretty sure I can't blog about it, LG - its a bit too distasteful. You have done a commendable job - especially distinguishing threats from hurtful language (or poor taste, for that matter). I too have a number of unknowns followed with a modest confidence that the "law" will figure it out. Anyway you dice it, a sickening feeling comes over me.

[Lewis Green]

Bob,

Thanks so much for your feedback. I spent hours going back and forth in my mind about blogging such a "distasteful" incident and subject. But, at the time, it seemed so much emotion was driving perception in a way that is not helpful to discovering the facts and letting them speak for themselves, that someone had to call for calm and for letting the police find the truth behind the complaint and about those who are accused.