Updated
I try to follow the rule, "Don't Feed the Trolls".
I stayed away from MeanKids when I read about the site at Frank's--who has the time to keep up? What's this adding to my life? Nada. I stayed away.
But on a group blog, who is responsible for the posts? The individual posters? What if some postings and comments go beyond "transgressive"? Who then is responsible?
thinks Then I heard about the way Kathy Sierra was treated at Meankids and UncleBobism from DrumsNWhistles. Frank has apologized.
You might want to read Liz Henry's take. At apophenia, dana boyd recounts the story of the threats against her in college, and says of the MeanKids/UncleBobism/Sierra issue:
My hope is that this incident, as it spreads its way across the web, will make people think twice about the racist, sexist, homophobic, hate-filled, mocking, and otherwise cruel speech that they make space for. I'm all for deleting mean-spirited commentary; i've done it time and time again on my blog. I think that we have a responsibility to do our best to make the web a safe space so that we can make society a better place.
This is reminding me of the heinous behavior at AutoAdmit: AutoAdmit and Jill of Feministe. Also read Jill's response to the threats against Kathy Sierra.
Lisa Stone talks about Blogher's position on freedom of speech and the limits thereof.
Denise says of Kathy Sierra's treatment, and the handwashing from some of the principals at MeanKids and UncleBobism:
Be careful of turning your back on her and on this issue. One day it may be you with a noose around your neck on a blog, it may be you with the death threats - your odds are great, especially if you’re a woman.
It seems like the general topic of online incivility comes up again and again and again. This time it is particularly nasty, because of the threats and the images MeanKids and UncleBobism allowed to be posted.
I hope that Kathy recovers her equanimity soon. I hope that the person(s) posting the vile images and remarks about Kathy are outed soon.
But I'll be really sorry if the culprits turn out to be folks I admired.
Update #2
Kathy taking a break from blogging is one thing. But Scoble is also going silent, because of the heinous things said about his wife and their relationship.
Previous Posts
Blogs Can Talk Past Each Other
Blog Civility
Blog Civility: Online Integrity Pledge
Rudeness
Craig Weller's Civility in Conflict
The Death of Civility
How To Disagree Online Without Being Disagreeable
Smart or Happy?
Laura at Apt 11D: Disagree or Attack?
Polarization and Moving the Middle
My Blogging Principles
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