Posted on March 17, 2008 by Kathy McManus in All, Ethics, Internet Comments (7)
Death by Blog?
When a 40-year-old Chicago advertising executive named Paul Tilley died recently, the cause of death was officially ruled suicide. Tilley, who oversaw the “I’m Lovin’ It” ads for McDonald’s and the creation of the “Dell Dude”, jumped from a Chicago hotel.
But some believe that Tilley was metaphorically pushed by a steady stream of malicious comments anonymously posted about him online in the weeks before he took his life.
“We think he should get canned,” is typical of the remarks posted by the anonymous blogger of “Agency Spy”, a gossipy, advertising insider’s site, where many of the anti-Tilley jabs appeared, seemingly with no reason other than the chance to snipe at a big boss. The same anonymous blogger also wrote that Tilley lacked charm and “needs to go back to management 101.”
In the aftermath of Tilley’s death, experts noted that while public humiliation could play a role in suicide, not enough is known about the role of online sniping in such deaths. The 2006 case of a 13-year-old girl who committed suicide after being taunted online resulted in no charges against those responsible, because, prosecutors say, no laws were broken.
But Paul Tilley’s friends were adamant about the link they see between the anonymous words and Tilley’s suicide. “I knew him,” wrote one. “And I know that the vile attacks inflicted on him by you and others tortured his soul. He told me so.”
Agency Spy’s anonymous blogger—who claims to be a 29-year-old woman posted her defense on the site—“I do not give myself enough credit to think that a blog posting can cause a lucid, intelligent man to jump from a building.”
Another observer zeroed in on the critical questions raised by the incident: “Are there ethics in blogs? Should people have the right to publicly and anonymously criticize and attack the private lives of private people simply for entertainment? This guy wasn’t a politician or a movie star. He just made commercials.”
Tell us what you think—should anonymous bloggers bear any responsibility for words that hurt?
Comments (7)
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Tough Call
People do need to be aware that just as powerful as the spoken word, and sometimes more powerful, is the written word. What people say about another person can be hurtful — even from strangers on the internet.
On the other hand… I agree with the woman. One or two comments on the internet would not make such a difference to a person with a stable mind. Obviously there was more to the picture here. Yes, the blogger should apologize for her hurtful words, but in no way is she responsible for what this man did to himself. “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Nobody's Fault
A terrible tragedy indeed, and there is no excuse for the lack of taste exhibited by the contributors, but Mr. Tilley had to have other, much more serious issues. Nobody is loved by everyone at their workplace, especially managers. We all know people talk. Seeing it in writing hurts no doubt, but shouldn’t drive an intelligent, successful man to such action. A sad tale nonetheless. Rest in Peace.
Shame on you!
Kathy… You really should refrain from posting on a subject you know nothing about. Both Agency Spy and AdScam had nothing to do with Tilley’s suicide. Before posting such garbage, I would suggest you get the real reasons for this tragedy from his employer and his wife. You will also please note that I do not post on AdScam anonymously, All my personal details are on the blog. I also do not vet comments. All are free to say anything they like… Even you!
Anonymous?
Somehow it feels wrong that you should be able to say seriously bad things about someone specific anonymously. Why does the attacked have to take it publicly but the attacker can be a coward? That isn’t right and this is just an example of why it isn’t right.
I understand and agree that the blog could not have been the whole story. But it could have been a very large part of the story. She should take responsibility for her words and more stories like this should be out there to show people the power of their anonymous attacks in blogs.
This was malicious?
The comments referenced in the article—and in the link, are not flattery, but hardly are vile or voluminous enough to drive most of us to suicide. Suggesting that someone “go back to management 101” is not equivalent to the personal postings involved in the 2006 case of the 13-year-old.
That having been said, the questions raised in this post are valid. I am currently reading “The Lucifer Effect” by Philip Zimbardo. He is the researcher who created the famous/infamous Stanford Prison Project. He outlines how there are three specific components to moral behavior: individual choice, situational forces, and systemic factors. The question for those of interested in responsibility is how we can influence others to make less moral choices.
My own position is what I call derivative free will. Since situations and systems can act in a coercive fashion, then those of us who have more authority/power also have more responsibility. This, of course, is a common tenet in many moral/theological systems.
Referring back to this article—we need to be cognizant of what we say but more importantly to whom we say it. Jane Elliot’s work in the 1960s with school children reveals the frightening power that authority figures posess.
hold on a second
In the quest for “responsibility”, we have to examine what role a thread like this plays as well. Paul’s death was a tragedy, nothing more, nothing less. To state that someone cast some criticisms somewhere that might have reached his ears and driven him to that sad act is, in a word: silly. He was an advertising professional for many years and I’m sure he’d heard a lot worse and developed a bit of a thick skin. We will, you will, he, she they, it will never know why he did this. In the interest of responsibility, let’s send our condolences to his family, and let it go at that. To attempt to blame it on bloggers is akin to the Salem Witch Trials: if she floats, she’s a witch and if they wrote it they’re responsible.
Your Blog: An Agent's Worse Enemy
Paul Tilley’s death was a tragedy. For his family, friends, agency, clients and society in general. All life is precious.
You have turned this tragedy into something smarmy and lurid while “covering” it under your “The Responsibility Project” banner. Commecializing a young man’s tragic demise under the guise of portraying Liberty Mutual as a the caring company? Really? Is is any wonder our populace disdains the media (yes, you are in that business with this blog) more than politicians and personal injury lawyers?
Your blog on Tilley’s death will do nothing to help your agents in the field. And I hope they nail you for your transparent effort here.