I am flabbergasted, angry and in shock. (This isn't hyperbole.)
If you've read me for any length of time, you know I am a fan of Kathy Sierra and consider her to be the best example of the Generous Web.
This is what I've just read on Kathy's blog:
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. For the last four weeks, I've been getting death threat comments on this blog. But that's not what pushed me over the edge. What finally did it was some disturbing threats of violence and sex posted on two other blogs... blogs authored and/or owned by a group that includes prominent bloggers. People you've probably heard of. People like respected Cluetrain Manifesto co-author Chris Locke (aka Rageboy).
Her blog post continues with material that, as Kathy says, "includes disturbing language and a picture beyond anything I'd normally say here."
What she has experienced is completely outrageous. In fact, it is criminal and those responsible need to be charged and tried. How dare these people inflict this mental anguish and fear upon anyone - let alone someone who generously spends hours writing blog posts and creating great graphics for the benefit of her readers.
Say a prayer for Kathy. And express your own outrage. This is like some bad Twilight Zone episode...but that was fiction. This is someone's life.
UPDATE: Doc Searls weighs in on the discussion.
UPDATE 2: Doc weighs in further with an email from Alan Herrell - a blogger I've had good contact with and one who was named by Kathy as one of the "bad guys." I was completely flabbergasted that Alan might be messed up in this in that it didn't seem in character. Strong opinions, yes. Doesn't suffer fools gladly. Yes. But that kind of perverse attack - I didn't think so. I've been going to Alan's blog (Raving Lunacy - which is down) every couple of hours in search of his take on this. Alan responds in an email on Doc's blog - and it appears to be a case of identity theft. I'm more than inclined to give Alan the benefit of the doubt on this. And am truly sorry for his pain in the midst of this.
UPDATE 3: Read Dave Winer on this.
Technorati Tags: death threats, Kathy Sierra
