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MIT Releases Swartz Report: Instead of Leading, School Was 'Hands-Off'
curtwoodward writes "MIT's long-awaited internal investigation into its handling of the Aaron Swartz prosecution has been released (PDF), and it's massive — about 180 pages, not counting the reams of supporting documents. And although the report's authors say they were told not to draw any conclusions about MIT's actions — really — they still gently criticized the university. Swartz, a well-known activist, killed himself earlier this year while being prosecuted for federal computer crimes after he improperly downloaded millions of academic research articles. MIT remained notably 'hands-off' throughout the case, the internal report notes, despite requests that it defend Swartz or oppose the prosecution, and ample opportunities to show leadership. The report quotes an MIT official: 'MIT didn't do anything wrong; but we didn't do ourselves proud.'"
Swartz's partner, Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, calls the report a whitewash.
What? No, he didn't have a robust coping strategy. Unless you mean he had a robust coping strategy for dealing with threats at the level of internet trolls or something.
He killed himself. There are people who are in jail for life who don't kill themselves. THAT is a robust coping strategy. Granted, he had a lot more to lose than your usual inmate, but did he think that he was going to just break the law and sort of get away with it?
He didn't know what the heck he got himself into is what happened, but no way is that a death sentence. Not even necessarily with depression, although that's what did him in.
Responsibility belongs where it is due. The government overreacted (as usual), but their practices, as bullshit as they are, do not have a common result of suicide at the end of them. Even with all the asset freezing and internet loss that you describe. It may have given him time to do a little too much overthinking of his situation, but that's about it.