[oompydoompy74]

Not every blog is written to be discussed on Hacker News. That being said I enjoyed it and found it illuminating. It could be a regional difference, but I’m from the South East US and didn’t mind the direct communication style at all. I much prefer someone to speak their feelings rather than being nice for the sake of nicities.

[bitmasher9]

I don’t think it’s appropriate to wish ill on other people. When writing I think it’s just as important to consider the impact of your words as it is to express your ideas and emotions. These sorts of words can make people feel unsafe, and in extreme situations can inspire similar feelings in other people with similar problems. Maybe someone that might take more direct action than a blogpost.

I understand different regions have different communication style, but the murder rate in the US is too high for us to joke about these sorts of things.

[oompydoompy74]

I disagree, but I appreciate your perspective. I think it’s fairly clear that the author is using exaggerated speech to make a point and convey their feelings. The reason I mentioned regional differences is I often find myself having this disagreement with my west coast compatriots.

[kelnos]

> Not every blog is written to be discussed on Hacker News.

It may not be written with that intent, but if you publish something publicly on the internet, you run the risk of some people, somewhere, discussing what you wrote.

That doesn't mean you have to care what those people have to say. Frankly, she shouldn't care what we have to say.

But if you put something out there, and someone reads it, they're well within their rights to have whatever reaction they want to it.

Re: "being nice for the sake of niceties", I agree with you, but her attitude toward the people who work for the pump manufacturer (who did nothing wrong, and in aggregate built life-saving devices so reliable that it took a quarter of a century before her first problem came up) is just not ok. "Beyond the pale" is a phrase that comes to mine, and I don't think I'm being hyperbolic here.

[senordevnyc]

Ironic, because my experience of living in the south is that the fake niceties are deeply ingrained in the culture. Classic fun example: “bless your heart” basically means “fuck you”.

[oompydoompy74]

We are kind, but not nice. I generally find the west coast is nice, but not kind. Everyone in the south knows what bless your heart means, so it’s not really a veiled insult.

[tosti]

The weirdest thing is "fuck you" doesn't mean "fuck you" at all! I learned the hard way when I started to unzip :(