There isn't much more to be said about the nasty comments and threats Kathy Sierra has been receiving.
Idiots. That's what they are...
But I do want to add one thing, though, that hasn't really been discussed...and that's the fact that Kathy Sierra isn't the first person to go through these kind of cyber attacks... she's just the most prominent, and I hope that creates a larger conversation about this kind of stuff.
There are many teens that go through this kind of thing everyday.... Cyberbullying is a major problem... and its roots are so deep in or society that its hard to see how something like this will ever go away.
Why do people do these kinds of things?
Because it's easy.... it's easier than aspiring and succeeding to become something great.
That's really what our culture is about, isn't it? Instead of focusing on some celebrity's positive contribution to society... or everyday people, we point and laugh at the ones who slip up, or criticize the ones we disagree with. It's all about taking down the people who make it to the top.
It's the reason why people who aspire to elected office are pretty much an adversely selected group and all the really great, qualified people succeed quietly in the private sector.
It's the reason why no one wants to be the first one to raise their hand in our classrooms.... and why all the students rush to sit in the back. Our best minds keep their mouths shut in fear of being brought down by idiots.
I think the worst thing anyone could do is let them win. Of course, that's easy for me to say... I've never received a death threat.
But, if inner city NYC public school teachers stayed home everytime they got threatened, they'd probably never show to work... and they prob don't make half the money or get half the support of most prominent folks who receive threats.
At the end of the day, everyone's got to make their own decision on their own safety, but if you're considering holding back your thoughts and public conversation, please don't. I don't want to see the best voices drowned out by idiots.