Maybe It’s Time To Rethink Our Focus
March 27th, 2007 | Published in Uncategorized | 6 Comments
For many of us in the Blogosphere, today changed our perceptions of a medium that we dearly love. This is not the first time that this has happened — and it probably won’t be the last. I’ve read a lot of blog posts today that were filled with Hate — and many that vowed revenge. I’ve seen twitters that recommended everything from boycotting Digg to people “Volunteering to hunt down and pound the bejeesus out of anyone who would threaten Kathy Sierra”. And my gut reaction was to join this angry mob — and bring the guilty parties to justice.
But then I thought about it. I think there’s enough hate in the world. Instead of focusing on the evil that was done to someone whom we all love and respect — I’d rather see this as an opportunity to honor Kathy for the contributions that she has made to our community — and the personal contributions she has made to my life. So listed here are just a few of the posts that Kathy has written over the years that have greatly influenced the course of my life. Please read them — and other past articles by Kathy — and let her know how much her work means to us all!
Don’t Ask Employees to be Passionate About the Company!
I actually sent this article to my boss the moment I read it. Kathy asked the following four questions in this article:
- When was the last time you read a trade/professional journal or book related to your work? (can substitute “attended an industry conference or took a course”)
- Name at least two of the key people in your field.
- If you had to, would you spend your own money to buy tools or other materials that would improve the quality of your work?
- If you did not do this for work, would you still do it (or something related to it) as a hobby?
I’m happy to state that I answered yes to each question. In fact, I have often said that if I were to win 20 Million dollars — I would wake up tomorrow and do exactly what I am doing now. Only I’d do it better. Kathy hit things right on the nose when she said: “support people in doing what they’re trying to do, and stay the hell out of their way.” Being a proud member of the creative class — it can sometimes be difficult to relate to people — and companies — who have more conventional workplace views. I found it refreshing to have someone so articulately state the value of having an employee who is more passionate about what they do — then who they do it for.
How to be an Expert
On her post on “How to be an Expert” — Kathy Sierra reminded me that the distance from good to great isn’t as far as I imagined. That persistance pays big dividends. And that: “It’s never to late to be what I might have been” (to steal a quote from George Eliot).
Dignity is Deadly
After a lecture by Paul Graham, Kathy reminds us that companies gain more by remaining authentic and true to their original roots — than by trying to adopt an attitude of strict professionalism in the workplace.
One final note — I’m not dismissing the evil that has been committed here — but I rather like the notion that we can drown out evil by focusing on GOOD. Let’s put the anger aside — and instead give Kathy our thanks.
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Erica O'Grady is a New Media and Loyalty Marketing Specialist based in Houston Texas. Her turn ons are: Community Building, Design, BarCamp, and Twitter. Her turn offs are: Trolls, Spammers, and Folks who "Just Don't Get It". 
March 27th, 2007 at 11:03 am (#)
“Volunteering to hunt down and pound the bejeesus out of anyone who would threaten Kathy Sierra” is certainly not an acceptable course of action. It’s not constructive, either. I think we have to keep a head of common sense, we have to work together to deal appropriately with those who commit these horrid acts, and we have to focus on the good, as you say.
If we’re adult about it, it helps keep the ones who aren’t in line.
March 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pm (#)
What’s interesting — is the person who made that statement is someone who I admire a great deal. And to be rather honest — the thought had crossed my mind as well. I think it goes back to focus. I could spend all day being angry because this happened — or I could use it as a chance to focus on the great things Kathy has brought to my life.
It seems to me that we never really properly appreciate the people in our lives until something terrible happens. Instead of making this about hatred, anger, and law enforcement — why not combat this travesty with love and goodwill? I’m such the idealist - no?
March 27th, 2007 at 3:45 pm (#)
[...] - Speaking of working together, I am still aghast over what has been going on in the blogosphere lately. Once again, I agree with Erica’s sentiments on this (not shocking, since we discussed it last night before she wrote that post). Put positive energy out there in the world. [...]
March 27th, 2007 at 8:23 pm (#)
I twittered this statement today = Character Education is often defined as knowing the good, loving the good, and doing the good. What that means is knowing the difference between right and wrong and willingly making the right choices. Today I was not as shocked as I should have been by the people threatening Kathy Sierra, but the angry and violent reactions of others made me see that most people are only two steps away from not choosing the good.
Maybe the best outcome of this whole event is people like Erica and others seeing that the only way to stop cyberbullying is to put it out in the open and educate everyone to it’s horrible results. Then, choosing to help and do the right thing by everyone focusing on the good.
March 28th, 2007 at 4:23 pm (#)
It seems to me that we never really properly appreciate the people in our lives until something terrible happens.
Part of being human, I think. It’s not necessarily wrong, it just is.
Instead of making this about hatred, anger, and law enforcement — why not combat this travesty with love and goodwill? I’m such the idealist - no?
Don’t change, Erica. Idealism is a wonderful, oft-unappreciated trait. Idealism is that part of our humanity that says we can become something better. That said, there are times when focused anger and law enforcement are a necessity. To borrow from the semantic web, words mean things. In Real Life, words have consequences, especially if really nasty action is implied. Note I didn’t say hatred is sometimes necessary. Hatred is a negative multiplier. It takes the focus of what’s appropriate and drags us all down.
The whole thing is a mess. Maybe this incident (there have been so many of these in other parts of the blogosphere) will wake enough people up to the ridiculousness and pettiness of it.
You spoke in another post about connections. There’s something to be learned about connections in this mess. Not sure what it is, yet, but it’s spinning in my head.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:08 pm (#)
“I think there’s enough hate in the world.”
I agree. I haven’t been following what has been happening, but any response based on hate simply breeds more hate.
Thanks for standing up and stopping the cycle of hate.