Teach42

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I like to look at the world through rose colored glasses. I think the vast majority of humanity has the best of intentions and are inherently good people. Alan actually said it pretty well when he commented, “I firmly believe that the numbers of times people create meaningful, positive connections via the net far outweighs, by orders of magnitude, the horror stories of net predation that scream from tabloids, TV junk news, and every newspaper.”

However, there are a few bad apples out there. And unfortunately, the blogosphere gives them a voice just like everybody else. Well, just the same but maybe a little bit louder. You see, there are hundreds of amazing bloggers who are lost in the shuffle. They post daily, but only a relatively select few know about them and read their posts. With gazillions of blogs out there, it’s can be hard to get yourself heard above the buzz.

When you post something like the things people were posting on Kathy Sierra’s blog and on other blogs about her, not only do you get heard, but you get attention. Some people have a real dark side to them, and the relative anonymity of blogging (not having to say things directly to a person’s face) gives them the opportunity to say things they would never ordinarily voice. And to do it loudly and publicly.

It’s criminal (literally) what she had to endure, and I totally understand why she would choose to take a leave of absence from the blogosphere.

Just because you have the right to say something, doesn’t make it the right thing to do. I hope you will all join me in supporting Kathy and in wishing her a speedy return.