Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

What am I missing here? "Die slow" is certainly in poor taste, but it is not a death threat nor is it a call for violence. It seems clear to me that it expresses a wish for the target to die slowly (and presumably painfully or uncomfortably) when they do end up dying. It's childish and mean spirited, but it's clearly not a threat. I'm more afraid of the chilling effect that punishing this sort of harmless speech has than I am of allowing it to continue through inaction.



The "die slow" in this case is a reference to an actual death threat made in a song from the 90s.

> it's clearly not a threat

No, it's not a threat, it just _references_ a famous death threat, one that Tan regrets that we didn't get when he initially tweeted it.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: