Interview: Craig Newmark
Sometimes as we’re sitting here thinking of pithy, witty, and snarky things to write to entertain our beloved readership we’re forced to ask ourselves, “Does anyone really care anyway?” Occasionally there is a ray of light and it turns out that people really do actually read to the bottom of our interviews. Happiness-- especially when they’re local celebrities who we can honestly say have made our life much better. Indeed, who among you can claim to be craigslist free? Never bought a couch, found a job, a hook up, tickets or a cat on craigslist?
As you probably know, Craig Newmark is the genius (and we really mean it here) behind craigslist, the most addictive place on the internets. SFist Nick Ross covers all things craigslist for us, and when we posted his new contributor interview, Craig himself (yes, THE Craig) said he’d be willing to undergo a SFist interview. Yes… we really do care what you say in the comments. Turns out that Craig does use his own list, but not as heavily as the rest of us, and maybe not for the same aims (so you can quit posting those MC’s hoping to hook up with Craig, ladies). With out further ado we give you Craig himself:
How often do you buy things off of craigslist?
Once in a long while; honestly, after doing a lot of customer service, I'm kinda burned out.
What is the best deal/ coolest thing you've gotten off of craigslist?
Nothing really interesting; some gadgets in the past, and I sold my last car that way... see last answer.
Have you ever gone on a date thanks to a craigslist post?
No, it feels like a conflict of interest... and I met my gf at my favorite neighborhood coffee house.
What's your favorite section of craigslist?
Maybe Missed Connections, but I'm fond of pets, since people have located
lost dogs and cats there, and childcare, which helps people get baby
sitters.
What's the best question you've been asked about craigslist in an interview?
This one.
Photo by Gene X Hwang/Orange Photography
Name
Craig Newmark
Introduce yourself in one sentence
Software engineer who hasn't coded in seven years, formerly living the Dilbert life; now, life is completely surreal.
Age and Occupation
53, customer service rep
Home Town
Morristown NJ
How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where?
Cole Valley, SF, 13 years. I like it here, and know a lot of people and dogs and Bob the Cat
Favorite place to spend time online
Spread across a number of sites including DailyKos and Instapundit
Favorite local business
Maybe Reverie, local coffee house
What I'm currently Reading
Prodigal, Marc Giller
Caesar, (sequence of historical novels regarding late Roman Republic)
Colleen McCullough
Best Deal in San Francisco
Food in the Inner Sunset
Favorite mode of transportation
N Judah
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
ah, don't know, I'm a Leonard Cohen guy
Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
Well meaning politics; I agree, but it's time to get stuff done.
Favorite local hangout
Reverie
SF has the BEST
San Franciscans
You've never lived in SF until
You've browsed the Folsom Street Fair, and marveled "people really do
***that*** ?
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present
Gavin/Nancy
Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?
My mother
You can tell someone is a local here IF
Dresses warmly in the summer
SF would be soooo much better if only
Muni arrested its decline
Best Burrito
From Balazo on Haight
Best Restaurant
(none particular, too many to choose)
Place you always tell visitors to check out
neighborhoods, including Cole Valley
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Hang out in your favorite cafe.
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
Sold: car
Bought: miscellaneous electronics
I want all the SFists out there to know
I'm not Batman, I'm more like McGruff the Crime Dog.
Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview
Would you like a nap?