Dr. Max Pemberton has detailed the profound personal toll of online harassment, describing a pattern of threats, doxing, and targeted attacks against himself, his partner, friends, agent, and publisher. The doctor noted that police assessed his flat for security and placed his address on a ‘rapid response’ list due to the nature of the threats.
Pemberton stated that while he expects disagreement when publishing opinions in a national newspaper, the hostility he has experienced has escalated beyond mere criticism. He recounted instances where individuals not only threatened him directly but also harassed his partner and friends, and even identified and bombarded a woman who managed his website. Photographs of his flat were circulated online, accompanied by discussions about his whereabouts.
He observed that the individuals engaging in this behavior often do not see themselves as trolls, with some using their real names and photographs. Pemberton suggested that these individuals often believe they are acting righteously, such as protecting vulnerable people from a doctor whose opinions they disagree with. He argued that this moral certainty can remove inherent restraints, leading to cruelty being perceived as courage.
“Social media is engineered to reward these tendencies,” Pemberton wrote, citing research indicating that posts using moral and emotional language gain wider and faster reach. He contrasted this with the past, where expressing contempt for a stranger incurred social costs, whereas now it can earn followers. The sheer volume of messages received by the target, compared to the singular effort of each harasser, creates an imbalanced psychological impact.
Pemberton offered advice for those experiencing similar harassment, suggesting that showing distress can embolden aggressors and that appealing to their humanity is often ineffective. He recommended a neutral response, stating that the behavior is unacceptable, as a more effective strategy. He also emphasized the importance of bystander intervention, noting that a person facing online attacks is emboldened by the approval of strangers but may disengage if met with multiple voices condemning the behavior.
In related commentary within the same article, Pemberton touched upon other health-related topics, including the misdiagnosis of perimenopausal symptoms in women like Alex Jones, and the potential for biased reporting in health news, citing a review on heart health funded by a grape company. He also recommended Rutger Bregman’s book “Humankind: A Hopeful History” as an antidote to cynicism about human nature.