Receiving emails like these is unsettling and at times disturbing, which of course is the point. They become worrying when they cross the line to personal threats, such as these sent to Professor Andy Pitman at the UNSW:
"There will be a day of facing the music for the Pitman type frauds... Pitman you are a f**king fool!"
And this one:
"If we see you continue, we will get extremely organised and precise against you."
When Pitman politely replied to the last, the response was more aggressive:
"F**k off mate, stop the personal attacks. Just do your science or you will end up collateral damage in the war, GET IT."
All threats have to be taken seriously, and at times warrant calling in the police. The police are able to trace anonymous emails to their sources and take action against those who send them. The police are now advising those who received abusive and threatening emails to resist the immediate urge to delete them and keep them in a separate folder for future reference.
When scientists answer with reasoned responses, the cultural terrorist do one of two things: they call em "douches" or they threaten them. Either way, it is terrorism.
9 comments:
You're such a douche.
Douches are useful for oral sex and guarding against cervical cancer, if used properly.
Glad to know you have found your purpose in life.
Me? Nah, it has nothing to do with me. It is an objective fact.
Well, if you're a douche, then yes, you did state your purpose in life, and yes, it is an objective fact.
I'd rather be a douche than a bonehead.
Ok.
So, just to clarify, you're cool with being a douche?
Hey, you read post #2.
Post a Comment