Patrick Klepek Will Now Take Your Calls

This is good question. Let me try to explain my approach.

It’s true that acknowledging the worst the Internet has to offer gives them oxygen in the room. It’s possible that highlighting them encourages others to come at me, as well.

But consider the other side of the equation.

What you’re asking is to pretend the abuse isn’t happening. What you’re asking is allowing these people to get their punches in without acknowledging the punches are landing. Even when I’ve distanced myself from trolls, they still come knocking. They are not going away. I’d rather people become better aware of the harassment that’s out there–it’s real. 

I’m a big boy, I can take the hits. The one about Ryan was nasty, partially because it was from a real voice, but mostly because I miss my friend. It’s important that we recognize harassment occurs, that it’s much more than a boogeyman. We only do that by shining a light, and maybe it encourages other people to highlight and acknowledge their abuse, too.