Support NeoGAF

[SquiddyCracker]

I'm of the opinion that giving or receiving a threat via the internet should be treated just as seriously as giving or receiving a threat by phone or mail. If somebody sent a letter to a person's house saying they were going to attack them or their family, would that be taken seriously?

Why should it be different because the threat is sent electronically?

It is different because of the differing degrees of effort required and the implicit level of actual danger inherent in the different communication methods.

I could PM you a threat right now, but I would never be able to act out on it because all I got going for me is your username on this forum. With a phone or mail threat though, you are made aware of the fact that I know where you live or work (or else I wouldn't have been able to call or mail in the threat). There is a much greater level of potential harm in the latter, which is void if I'm just emailing or PMing someone a death threat.

I strongly believe you need to be of a radically different mindset to threaten someone via the mail or the phone, than if you're just using the Internet. In the case of the latter, sure, I don't doubt it can devolve into actual danger, but I imagine that the attention span on the internet dweller means that ignoring the online death threat is the best course of action - not bringing attention to it, which will validate the Internet troll and empower them.

 

[JDSN]

It annoys me most when it's worn almost as a badge of pride, because they know they're bullshit. I've seen many interviews where the death threatee tosses out that they've received death threats, and the interviewer says "death threats??" and everyone is impressed

To do feel the same about rape victims speaking out? Because I think you are misreading this situation if you think they say they are getting death threats with pride.

 

[Htown]

It annoys me most when it's worn almost as a badge of pride, because they know they're bullshit. I've seen many interviews where the death threatee tosses out that they've received death threats, and the interviewer says "death threats??" and everyone is impressed

 

[KHarvey16]

It is different because of the differing degrees of effort required and the implicit level of actual danger inherent in the different communication methods.

I could PM you a threat right now, but I would never be able to act out on it because all I got going for me is your username on this forum. With a phone or mail threat though, you are made aware of the fact that I know where you live or work (or else I wouldn't have been able to call or mail in the threat). There is a much greater level of potential harm in the latter, which is void if I'm just emailing or PMing someone a death threat.

Calling or mailing demonstrates you have that knowledge, emailing or PM'ing doesn't demonstrate you do not have that knowledge.

 

[Transhuman]

People should only use the term "death threat" if the person or organisation has killed at least >=50% of the people they've threatened to kill. We're going to take death threat back as a word guys. All these pussies sending out dozens of death threats and never killing one person are dragging our name through the mud.

 

[jon bones]

It annoys me most when it's worn almost as a badge of pride, because they know they're bullshit. I've seen many interviews where the death threatee tosses out that they've received death threats, and the interviewer says "death threats??" and everyone is impressed

wow

 

[Ravensmash]

It annoys me most when it's worn almost as a badge of pride, because they know they're bullshit. I've seen many interviews where the death threatee tosses out that they've received death threats, and the interviewer says "death threats??" and everyone is impressed

Because saying "I'm going to kill you" or threatening to rape someone is (thankfully) not deemed as normal behaviour, and thus people are shocked.

Why does it matter to you that the threats might be bullshit?

 

[FStop7]

"Lethal Greetings".

This is going to be the name of my new company that makes death threat greeting cards.

"Happy Birthday - it's your last one, motherfucker!"

"Merry Christmas - you're gonna die like Jesus did"

OP, you come off like someone who hasn't lived very much in that you don't seem to be able to relate to why someone would take death threats seriously because you don't have much to lose.

 

[kick51]

It annoys me most when it's worn almost as a badge of pride, because they know they're bullshit. I've seen many interviews where the death threatee tosses out that they've received death threats, and the interviewer says "death threats??" and everyone is impressed

how do you know that they know it's bullshit?


I'm going to kill the idea that baseless negativity = omniscient wisdom and complete understanding of a situation.

 

[Mammoth Jones]

A death threat is a death threat. Doesn't make it any less wrong because "Oh pish posh it's *just* the internet!"

 

[And_Gignac]

I kind of agree with the overall idea, but not with how you expressed it.

But yeah, the term is being misused by some. For instance, just take a look at twitter and you will see tons of kids sending daily, meaningless death threats to every random famous person.

 

[-COOLIO-]

i can't say that people labelling all manner of death threats (both soft and hard) as death threats ruins ma day. the only context where it really matters is in a serious discussion with the justice system, and they'll be able to tell the difference.

 

[pj]

I'm going to just take the L on this thread.

You all are right that there's no real way to tell which ones are real, and it's not a bad thing to take all threats seriously.

I stand by my assertion that "death threats" should mean something more than "someone on the internet doesn't like me", though.

 

[kick51]

I kind of agree with the overall idea, but not with how you expressed it.

But yeah, the term is being misused by some. For instance, just take a look at twitter and you will see tons of kids sending daily, meaningless death threats to every random famous person.

yep....those are still death threats

 

[.GqueB.]

Why even try to make the distinction? All forms of that shit needs to go away. It's childish and there's no need for it.

 

[jorma]

Are you threatening this thread?

Don't worry, it's just a threat. Come back when it's a threat-threat.

 

[Kinyou]

So you're bitter that other people get more attention than you?

You could just ask, I'm sure you could get some anon death threats if you're really jealous.

He's probably more bothered that guys like the Westboro baptist church can then play the victim card.

But I'd say the problem is more the guys who make those threats then the people taking them serious. Not like you can discern between real and fake ones.

 

[Brakke]

Yup, someone willing to go that far is mentally unstable. But I think someone like that would have to be egged on to actually do anything. Not responding is the best course of action.

"Mental instability" is neither a necessary nor sufficient precondition for violence.

What you think about some generic example really isn't relevant. Someone actually being threatened is the one whose opinion matters.

 

[UrbanRats]

"Nerd Bluff"
"Keyboard Thunder"
"Banana Peel Peril"
"Mailbox Menace"
"Pimpled Hazard"


thats all i got.

As a Deadwood fan, i like "keyboard thunder".

"Ma'am, listen to the thunder".

 

[KHarvey16]

I'm going to just take the L on this thread.

You all are right that there's no real way to tell which ones are real, and it's not a bad thing to take all threats seriously.

I stand by my assertion that "death threats" should mean something more than "someone on the internet doesn't like me", though.

Yeah, it should mean someone threatened to kill someone else. Can you offer an example where this was not the case?

 

[kick51]

I'm going to just take the L on this thread.

You all are right that there's no real way to tell which ones are real, and it's not a bad thing to take all threats seriously.

I stand by my assertion that "death threats" should mean something more than "someone on the internet doesn't like me", though.

fair enough. but a death threat is a death threat no matter what. sometimes it's like "I got death threats and they listed my grandma's address" and sometimes it's like "some guy wanted to kill me over the ending I wrote to my book" or whatever

 

[MThanded]

I'm going to just take the L on this thread.

You all are right that there's no real way to tell which ones are real, and it's not a bad thing to take all threats seriously.

I stand by my assertion that "death threats" should mean something more than "someone on the internet doesn't like me", though.

Saying you don't like someone is very different than threatening someones life.

 

[Stinkles]

I have had many death threats over the years. At least two were very serious. Including Interpol and stuff. So I am sorry op, but you're generalizing.

 

[Kimosabae]

So this guy's handing out a death threat to "Death Threats"?


It's getting meta up in here.

 

[Ourobolus]

Yeah, it should mean someone threatened to kill someone else. Can you offer an example where this was not the case?

I think he's referring to "wishing death on someone," like telling someone that "I hope you die of AIDS," or something. Which isn't technically a threat so much as a wish.

 

[Takuan]

So this guy's handing out a death threat to "Death Threats"?


It's getting meta up in here.

Took y'all long enough

Geeze

 

[KHarvey16]

I think he's referring to "wishing death on someone," like telling someone that "I hope you die of AIDS," or something. Which isn't technically a threat so much as a wish.

And I'm asking for examples where someone considered such a wish a death threat.

 

[pj]

Saying you don't like someone is very different than threatening someones life.

not in terms of keyboard use and thought effort

I think most people who threaten death on twitter and such are frustrated and want their displeasure to be heard. We'd all be better off if "you should die" wasn't the first thing that went from the brain to the fingers, obviously. I just don't see it happening on an anonymous internet

 

[King_Moc]

No. Arrest all of them and stop this shit overnight.

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

So this guy's handing out a death threat to "Death Threats"?


It's getting meta up in here.

If a mod were to suggest that someone could get banned for this, they would be effectively handing a death threat to a guy handing a death threat to "Death Threats."

 

[Silky]

It annoys me most when it's worn almost as a badge of pride, because they know they're bullshit. I've seen many interviews where the death threatee tosses out that they've received death threats, and the interviewer says "death threats??" and everyone is impressed

Nope. Nope. It's too damn early for this.

I'm going to just take the L on this thread.

You all are right that there's no real way to tell which ones are real, and it's not a bad thing to take all threats seriously.

I stand by my assertion that "death threats" should mean something more than "someone on the internet doesn't like me", though.

So what you're saying is these people should ACT on these threats so they can be confirmed as an actual death threat

Amazing.

 

[The Technomancer]

not in terms of keyboard use and thought effort

I think most people who threaten death on twitter and such are frustrated and want their displeasure to be heard. We'd all be better off if "you should die" wasn't the first thing that went from the brain to the fingers, obviously. I just don't see it happening on an anonymous internet

But in terms of intention? I think there's a pretty significant difference between wishing someone dies and wishing that you were the person to kill someone.

People always shrug off stuff as "jokes" or, if its clear that its not funny still "not being serious", but you can tell a lot about a person by what they joke about and what they "don't take seriously"

 

[styl3s]

If you said a death threat letter then you know where I live, and a home phone number is one step away from that. If you PM a death threat to me on neogaf you don't know shit except "pj."

Because people have never found people's real names or addresses from a forum username before.

NEVER

 

[830920]

OP is jealous of all the people getting death threats. Want to feel equally special and chosen.

 

[Abounder]

Even if you're just trolling you deserve a police investigation or worse if the victim feels threatened/harassed.

 

[pj]

But in terms of intention? I think there's a pretty significant difference between wishing someone dies and wishing that you were the person to kill someone.

People always shrug off stuff as "jokes" or, if its clear that its not funny still "not being serious", but you can tell a lot about a person by what they joke about and what they "don't take seriously"

The intention is to make someone uncomfortable. If everyone who tweeted a death threat or death wish really wanted the person dead, I'd never want to leave my house because that would mean this world is full of psychopaths.

The main problem with this thread is that the death threatee is the victim, regardless of how credible the threats are. It's up to them and potentially the cops to determine how to deal with them. I don't think the term will bother me as much in the future, now that my shaky opinion has been knocked around a fair bit. And I think I will gradually draw down the number of death threats that I make.

 

[RionaaM]

I'm going to just take the L on this thread.

You all are right that there's no real way to tell which ones are real, and it's not a bad thing to take all threats seriously.

I stand by my assertion that "death threats" should mean something more than "someone on the internet doesn't like me", though.

This is your lucky day then, because they do mean something more than that. They mean "someone on the internet threatened to kill me".

not in terms of keyboard use and thought effort

I think most people who threaten death on twitter and such are frustrated and want their displeasure to be heard. We'd all be better off if "you should die" wasn't the first thing that went from the brain to the fingers, obviously. I just don't see it happening on an anonymous internet

I don't see how "keyboard use" and "pen use" are any different, honestly. The latter implies you know the subject's address, but that's all.

 

[The Technomancer]

The intention is to make someone uncomfortable. If everyone who tweeted a death threat or death wish really wanted the person dead, I'd never want to leave my house because that would mean this world is full of psychopaths.

The main problem with this thread is that the death threatee is the victim, regardless of how credible the threats are. It's up to them and potentially the cops to determine how to deal with them. I don't think the term will bother me as much in the future, now that my shaky opinion has been knocked around a fair bit. And I think I will gradually draw down the number of death threats that I make.

Why does anyone make an actual threat as opposed to simply wishing someone would die? Do you believe the distinction is truly whimsical? That there's nothing additional underlying sending a message that you want to be the one to kill them?

Also is the last line a joke?

 

[pj]

I don't see how "keyboard use" and "pen use" are any different, honestly. The latter implies you know the subject's address, but that's all.

Apparently it's just me, but if I used twitter and someone tweeted "i'm going to kill you", I would take that much less seriously than if someone mailed or left a letter on my door saying the same.

 

[Warm Machine]

Easy to brush it off when you are not in the public eye.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

I have had many death threats over the years. At least two were very serious. Including Interpol and stuff. So I am sorry op, but you're generalizing.

I hope you won't be offended if I ask: I'm guessing it's Halo related, right? "Bring back the Arbiter or I will feed your brain to my pet tarantula" stuff?

 

[Shiina]

People should take what they see on the internet less seriously

 

[pj]

Why does anyone make an actual threat as opposed to simply wishing someone would die? Do you believe the distinction is truly whimsical? That there's nothing additional underlying sending a message that you want to be the one to kill them?

Also is the last line a joke?

For the people I'm talking about, the ones who are never going to kill someone, I don't think there is a difference between the two. The choice of language could be for any reason, maybe it's a quote from a movie or they think it's funnier a certain way.

The problem of course is sifting out the folks who may actually hurt someone.

Also yes

 

[Brakke]

People should take what they see on the internet less seriously

People should take what they see on the internet more seriously.

 

[Parch]

There are plenty of crimes that have resulted from internet interaction. There have also been cases of depression and suicide because of social media.

Now there's a lobby of people who want to sluff it off as "just the internets" to justify their douche behavior. And this doesn't stop at the keyboard. This type of callous behavior and smartass attitude becomes their personality and effects real life.

For all the benefits the internet has brought, it's also brought a nasty side into civilized society. Common respect is on the decline.

 

[railGUN]

Has there been any high profile "followed through with it" Twitter death threats? Or any example where seemingly random and "meaningless" death threats were acted on?

 

[Dorimukyasuto]

If a thread is so shitty that just reading it could give me cancer, is that considered a death threat?

Spoiler

not you, op, you're thread is awesome

 

[Extra Sauce]

I'm sorry OP but that's just a monumentally stupid statement. You can never know for sure whether a death threat is serious or not when it comes from a completely anonymous source.

 

[pants]

opie, you believe death threats must have actual intent behind them to be death threats yeah?

 

[danwarb]

Why would it bother you that people say they get death threats?

How does it injure you when people point out, correctly, that people are threatening them and/or their family over some bullshit?

It is annoying if the target of some legitimate protest receives internet "death threat" from an anonymous random idiot on the internet and then uses it to tarnish the reputation of an entire group on radio, TV, and in print. "These people..." and so on.

"Death threats" like that are unfortunately inevitable nowadays, but should still be dealt with. They should definitely be prosecuted if they're persistent or contain personal information.


If anyone who made such an obvious threat had their identity exposed, that should solve it.