read the article quot how the online hate mob set its sights on me quot and complete the reading questions

/in /by

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/dec/20/soci…

  1. What did Justine Sacco do? Why did people find it offensive? Do you find it offensive?
  1. What is Ronson’s connection to Justine Sacco? Why is he interested in her story?
  1. Does Ronson believe that Sacco is racist? Or intentionally misusing her privilege? Why or why not?
  1. Ronson writes, “I wrote about Justine not because I identified with her, although I did, but because I identified with the people who tore her apart.” Why does Ronson identify with the “people who tore her apart”? Does this influence his attitude toward Sacco?
  1. How do Ronson’s online threats differ from those received by Justine Sacco? Why?
  1. Describe Rachel Dolezal’s situation and why people reacted the way they did. Do you believe these reactions are justified? Why or why not?
  1. Why is Ronson criticized for his discussion of Dolezal, and what is his response to the criticism?
  1. Based on his reaction to the Rachel Dolezal story, what does Ronson believe is the purpose of journalism?
  1. What is the “misuse of privilege”? Why do the online responders accuse Justine Sacco and the woman from the Amtrak crash of it?
  1. What does Ronson mean by “instant cold judgment”? What is an example of it from the text?
  1. What do you believe is the appropriate punishment for someone who writes something inappropriate (for whatever reason) online?
  1. How does the online culture that Ronson describes lead to a “surveillance state”? Is there an alternative outcome? Why or why not?