Kathy Sierra writes a blog - Creating Passionate Users - that anybody who is in the business of creating technology products should read. And today she's running scared from a string of death threats and sexually-explicit online harassment.
Misogyny in the technology business is hardly new. And despite considerable advances for a lot of us women in the field, it's still an issue -- for just one fairly tame example, witness some of the comments about women in this thread posted over this past weekend on the widely-read 'Joel on Software' forums. There's plenty more where that came from; I just don't have the stomach to Google up examples right now. It sucks, and it needs to change, although sometimes I wonder if that change will come in my lifetime.
In the unlikely event that you're reading this, Kathy, all I can say is, hold onto your loved ones for support, and keep your chin up. You're right to be angry, and you're right to be afraid. But don't let that fear run your life, either. It just gives the people who do this kind of crap more power. It's like net trolls. They live and gain power by generating response. Ignore them, and they wither on the vine.
That's easy for me to say, of course; it's been more than 8 years since anyone has seriously harassed me online. Plus, I never got death threats, and I didn't have to worry about children. So perhaps her response is the right one for now, or at least for her.
UPDATE 7:11PM
Robert Scoble weighs in:
So, since she doesn’t feel safe. I’m going to stop blogging in support of Kathy, who I consider a friend and someone who’s voice would be dearly missed here. I’ll be back Monday.The Internet culture is really disgusting. Today when I was on Justin.TV the kinds of things that people were discussing in the chat room there were just totally disgusting and over the top.
We have to fix this culture. For the next week, let’s discuss how.
And, Kathy, Maryam and I love you and are there for you. Don’t let these jerks get you down.
It’s this culture of attacking women that has especially got to stop. I really don’t care if you attack me. I take those attacks in stride. But, whenever I post a video of a female technologist there invariably are snide remarks about body parts and other things that simply wouldn’t happen if the interviewee were a man.
It makes me realize just how ascerbic this industry and culture are toward women. This just makes me ill.
Great response, and I can't say how much I appreciate some A-list recognition that this IS a big problem for women in technology. But taking a week off in support of Kathy? I'm not so sure about that. How about a 'blog against sexism in technology' week instead?
Comments (4)
There was no threat made to Kathy. The entire thing is a misunderstanding or an intentional hoax which stems from my criticism of her books. I am the "Joey" she is referring to and I ask that you read my reply at her site; assuming she doesn't delete it.
Posted by Joey | March 26, 2007 8:01 PM
When did the industry turn against women? What happened? 45 years ago, when I got into the business, women were almost as common as men in software engineering. How did we "progress" from that to an American woman technologist being victimized by people who claim to be Americans?
Posted by Ed Borasky | March 26, 2007 8:16 PM
"Joey" -- Kathy's partner Bert seems to disagree with your characterization of the events.
Posted by fiat lux | March 26, 2007 9:01 PM
I am incredibly pissed off.
And Joey, I read your reply as well. It was a nice attempt to put a Deborah Frisch style spin on your words, but not successful in the slightest.
People like you are what cause others to believe the worst in the anonymous.
Posted by Off Colfax | March 27, 2007 12:35 AM