CNN’s Amber Lyon has been crowing for weeks about scoring an ambush interview against me. Boy, if she only knew that successfully ambushing me is about as big an accomplishment as stealing nuts from one of the birds or squirrels I like to Tweet about.
Here’s the deal. As old time craigslisters know, I’m a hard-wired nerd with symptoms I’m told border on Asperger’s Syndrome. That means I’m too trusting, often socially inept, have difficulty shifting focus, and frequently am unsure what to do in situations others handle easily. And I don’t have a normal person’s ability to sense when someone might be looking to take advantage of these shortcomings.
Amber approached me after an event where I had just spoken about stuff like getting real support for our troops and veterans — a cause I care about and support whenever I can. She said because “I’m the Craig in craigslist,” she expected me to have all the answers on the spot about anything to do with the company. Well, I don’t. Jim Buckmaster, our CEO, has been running craigslist for the last 10 years. I am a customer service rep, and I still love being connected to our users and trying to help people. But I have no role in managing the company’s operations because basically (a) I suck as a manager, and (b) while overall company direction matters to me as founder and a board director, the deal was to hire good, trustworthy people and then get outta the way.
If Amber had done her homework, she would have known ambushing me with questions I am not qualified to answer, or even the right person to ask, would not get CNN’s viewers the accurate information they deserve.
So I should have said, “Hey, thanks, but Jim’s the guy your viewers should hear from.” Instead, I froze and looked clueless, and, worse than that, uncaring. Clueless I definitely am sometimes, but not uncaring. Neither is craigslist and neither is Jim. I know our folks have worked very hard to identify and do the right thing with legitimate versus illegitimate adult service ads. From what I can tell that’s a lot more difficult to do perfectly than is being portrayed by CNN and other media. I know we’re also reaching out to lots of concerned groups and experts for help on these issues, which sure makes sense to me.
Meanwhile, Amber, CNN, and others are depicting Jim and I as profiteers oblivious to the welfare of women and children. Anyone that’s followed us over all these years knows that’s not at all what we’re about. In reality, we’re both pretty obsessed with trying to make the world a better place, and neither have much interest in possessions or fancy lifestyles. Me, I’ll stick to my causes, like doing right by our veterans, keeping the faith on net neutrality, and working toward better governance. And hopefully be a little more perceptive about the true intent of reporters I talk to.
Wish me luck, I’ll need it.
Craig Newmark
Craig Alexander Newmark blogs at http://cnewmark.com. He is an Internet entrepreneur best known for being the founder of the San Francisco-based website /wiki/Craigslist">Craigslist. ...
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Geoff says:
Craig -- I trust you more then I trust CNN. All to often journalists seem more interested getting air time then providing a non-partisan overview of the facts at hand. I've followed your career with interest after meeting you at a coffee house on Potrero Hill many years ago, and since then I've felt your public comments are have been thoughtful and well-reasoned. You go back to changing the world, she'll go back to... whatever it is that passes for journalism these days .
Cameron Barrett says:
Indeed, ambush journalism is the lowest of the low. Amber Lyon should be ashamed of herself for stooping to such crap. But, because it's TV, everything is driven by its "entertainment value" or "watchability", which unfortunately includes the news.
Douglas says:
<3
John says:
You've accrued years of credibility with me, Craig.
Eddo says:
In other words: "Everyone, look at me, I have been wronged."
You poor poor baby.
Maybe you should have some idea of the problems that your website that you started has caused instead of washing your hands of all of it and acting like not of it is your fault.
Trench Reynolds says:
Then what is being done with the $30 Million that craigslist purportedly makes from the human trafficking ads on its site?
Scott says:
CNN, and the media in general, are just a bunch of sociopathic predators that make their living off the suffering of others. Pretty much the exact opposite of what Craig does. Some of us see this for what it is.
Wondering says:
Craig,
So why, if you suffer from these maladies, do you participate in TV interviews? If your various personality quirks prevent you from giving straight answers to challenging questions, then you do viewers a disservice if journalists ask you anything but softball questions. If you aren't capable of handling non-PR interviews, don't agree to them.
Also, does your difficulty in understanding people include having a hard time understanding why you should be held accountable for accepting paying ads from sex traffickers?
Jay Neely says:
Craig, I hope you'll not listen to the commenters that crazily expect you / Craigslist to be accountable for the actions of each of the 60,000,000+ people that use your site.
I hope you'll simply feel sorry for the fact that they're completely oblivious to the fact that if Craigslist were to ban erotic services ads of all kinds, then the many other sections of Craiglist (that provide immeasurable value to communities large and small each day) would be flooded with the same ads, making them even harder to moderate.
I hope you'll continue to do an excellent job, and enjoy the hundreds of thousands of people like myself who are aware of what a fantastic service you've created, and admire how you and Jim have managed it's growth.
And finally, I hope the commenters complaining about Craigslist will wake up and start spending their time doing something that's actually productive about human trafficking, like volunteering, raising awareness, or communicating to their local politicians and law enforcement agencies that they want this prioritized.
Dude Man says:
If a website that I created and made a bunch of cash on allowed for the rape an molestation of minors I would want to know about it, and do everything to stop it whether I am still running the site I created or not.
You are pathetic, making cash off of the illegal trafficking or minors, while acting like you have absolutely no responsibility in it even though you created the website and cashed the check. Truly sick.
Jeremy says:
TV news specializes in creating caricatures and plastering over all nuance. I hate to say it, but I can't help but feel the portrayal of Bush as stupid, evil, etc. isn't an example of this. You've been hoisted on your own petard, Craig.
brian says:
guerilla journalism at its finest... next time, bring a can of mace
Larry says:
Craig, you want us to pity you and believe that you're doing everything you can to stop the sex trafficking on "your" site. Why would anyone in their right mind feel pity for you for being "ambushed" by a TV journalist? I feel pity for all those young women out there who are being exploited. And I feel angry at you and your company for not doing as much as you can to stop enabling the exploitation. For someone who is "pretty obsessed with trying to make the world a better place," you're doing a heckuva job. You helped me sell my bike. So what? I could have done that through the classified ads in my local newspaper, before you helped to speed its demise. And you've enabled a bunch of really sick people to exploit young women. If you really have Asperger’s, I could understand that you are incapable of feeling as badly as you should for your inaction. But given that you spent most of your post basically asking people to give you a break and feel sorry for you, I feel fairly certain you do have feelings. Look into your heart and do the right thing. At the very least, take all the money you've made from your company and donate it to a shelter for abused women. If you do that, then I'll believe that you are "pretty obsessed with trying to make the world a better place."
Matthew says:
Craig,
Before I got into tech I was a publicist. I've seen a lot of good CEOs ambushed over the years. It happens. Media have their own biases and their own stories to tell. The CEOs were all ready for it. Your CEO (if he's worth his paycheck) would not have been overwhelmed by these questions. So what's my point? If you're not the f*ing spokesperson for a company you're extremely irresponsible for acting as one. The only way I would have put you on CNN is with an understanding between me and the producer what questions you are qualified to answer, I would have trained you to defer other questions (to your CEO) and/or I would have insisted the CEO be present to answer any questions that his role requires.
Matthew
John says:
I watched the video. The first few minutes were of a young lady talking about her life working for a pimp who puts her on Craigslist. In her own words, "It Sucks!" No pun intended.
Next few minutes show a spokesperson for the Fair Fund explaining that the majority of the human trafficking victims she serves were sold on Craigslist.
Then this dangerous woman "ambushes" Craig. She looks pretty threatening to me.
My question is this: how can anyone with half a heart throw a pity party for Craig and not the victims?
Stefan Hayden says:
you are one of the most consistant voices on the web. I don't remember the last time I even watched CNN.
Derek Anderson says:
Why the bitterness against Craig for not doing a PERFECT job of eliminating bottomfeeders and criminals?
Craigslist expends significant engineering and support resources eliminating scammers and criminals (and human traffickers) from Craigslist.
Do they get all of them? No.
But the police aren't doing a perfect job of eliminating these scum either; the crime is NOT the fault of the police. Any public place (or website) is going to accumulate some of these elements. We can only do our best at eliminating them. Blaming those who are trying to help is not going to fix the problem.
Tom Bradbury says:
They say you can find some darn good weed and moonshine on craigslist.
Women, drugs and booze.
Now if you can find a way to add gambling we will be all set.
Keep up the good work.
AnotherStrayCat says:
Wow. I haven't seen this much sanctimony since the last time I went to church. Thanks to all of you jumping on Craig for reminding me why I stopped that shit.
ejickey says:
Amber is a liar
skip says:
carpet does NOT match the drapes
Dickisinyou says:
Craig..... You are the MAN!!! Your web site revolutionized an entire generation of people. This site for many years has been my "bread and butter" for development and marketing services that I provide. I have accumulated about 70 percent of my business off of CL and the other 30% were from referrals of the 70% people that found me on CL. Not all the clients I obtained from the site were legit and some were just down right shady...... Should I blame you for this? Absolutely not! I blame the perpetrators that tried to get over on me and take my kindness for weakness.
I have dealt with and still do deal with a lot of people that post ads in the Adult Services Section and to date have not seen any indication that they were involved in any Human Trafficking or Child Exploitation. All have been willing participants and mostly independent as far as I could tell. Were they doing something illegal? I don't know. All I know is I did not do anything illegial and can with a clear conscience and do the job they paid me to do.
I would like any of the naysayers I see commenting and bashing you to show me one shred of evidence that you knowingly took money from a Human Trafficker Or Child Exploiter. I bet it is not going to happen.
I cannot believe that people are not even calling it for what it is. They are automatically branding it as Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation section like that has always been that! WOW how stupid are you people. I'll be willing to bet that more of that goes on in paper listings than on Escort Services Sites. Where is Big Brother on that one.
And to blame Craig for something that no one has any control over. This stuff has always been around. Way before the CL days. You wanna stop human trafficking and child exploitation then go after the real criminals. The ones who are kidnapping and forcing their will on others.
If you don't wanna put any effort in to doing something about it, do us all a favor and jump off a cliff! Or shut the hell up!
Frank Cohen says:
Hi Craig:
We've known each other for a long time and I respect you for being a community organizer and thought leader. In Amber's video you gave me the impression that you were thinking of an answer to her question in words that she might understand, not of being scared or angry. You pointed her to Jim's blogs, but she didn't get that.
I wish Amber and the Attorney Generals I've seen on news shows would understand that censorship - imposed by the State or our selves - is ineffective on the Internet. The medium is communication, and messages by lonely white men wanting to get laid is going to be delivered even if the section on craigslist is labeled soft pillows.
The best we can do is to label the contents of the messages - as craigslist did - and hold people that use the messages accountable.
My kids - 16 and 18 - know how to do this in a variety of behaviors on the Internet. They can tell you the acceptable from unacceptable behavior. There's a lot of parsing of content, activity, and behavior on the Internet by its users. That's part of the Internet experience, and so are lonely white men getting laid.
-Frank Cohen
Tasha says:
My question is- Do you really think those people who are being "victimized" by craigslist would NOT be victimized if there was no such thing as craigslist? If anything, these sorts of posts on craigslist should make law enforcement easier. Here you go police, ready info on prostitution and human trafficking without you having to do anything except look. A few high profile busts on this sort of stuff tied to info being found on craigslist and this problem would take care of itself, with the services craigslist provides looking much different in the end.
It is a shame to me to see that apparently there is much more entertainment/news value in trying to bring down a successful company than in legitimately solving a societal problem. Did CNN then offer that prostitute access to a woman's shelter or counseling services? Did law enforcement officials then tail her to find the person REALLY responsible for trafficking her- her pimp? I'll bet not.
gomez says:
I'll take Craig anytime over the blue noses and talking head career minded TV reporters. Craig, IMHO has loads of integrity. Something rare in this grab every dollar world. If you care to find out about the man you would know this.
Brady says:
Craig Newmark (net worth of over $10 million) brings up an important point: How should Craigslist be expected to filter the legitimate "erotic services" advertised on his website from the illegitimate "erotic services?" It would clearly be a gross error to assume ever 45-year old man trolling through Craiglist's "erotic services" late at night is looking to buy sex. In fact, given the millions Craigslist makes on these pages, it would probably be a waste of time to even make much of an effort to ensure that children and women held against their will aren't being advertised. And our hearts are supposed to go out to this plainspoken corporatist "ambushed" by a journalist with questions--not the 16-year old girl whose pimps sell her by the hour on a website whose owners are ignore the problem and let the big bucks keep coming in.
Donna says:
Craig Please Fight them!!!!
It is totally disgusting that our elected representatives are becoming the thought police!!! Who do they really represent??? The CNN Nazis should stop trying to send honest adults who post and use CL adult services to their right wing conservative gas chamber. Why don’t they really do something to help society and get all the little boys out of the politician’s and religious zealots closets!!!
John says:
What you should do: Look up the word "Censor." Censorship refers not allowing creative expression. You didn't write "Lolita." You has Web site, or are a customer service agent for that Web site, that posts explicit, blatant ads that sell women and underage girls for sex. There is nothing creative about your site. It is a classified ad section of a community newspaper. That community happens to be online. The adult services section of Craigslist is nothing more than an online brothel for sex with women and children. If it were a brick and mortar building next to your home, would anyone be crying censorship? Get the word right.
Delores says:
I guess, though, you are providing a service. I mean, at least those girls under 18 and those women over 18 don't have to walk the streets anymore. You are person who cares about your community.
Delores says:
I guess, though, you are providing a service. I mean, at least those girls under 18 and those women over 18 don't have to walk the streets anymore.
Delores says:
One more thing: How much money do you make off of those ads? Is that really how you want to create your wealth? Really? Exploiting women and children? That's what it is.
I would be much more impressed with you if you spent your free time fighting sex trafficking rather than providing a facilitating it and profiting from it. Even if you no longer profit directly, someone does.
Dickisinyou says:
Delores - We can tell that the point has flown way over your head. Don't you understand that people do bad things with good legitimate businesses? Wall Street, Bernie Madoff, the housing market? Maybe we should get rid of those too.
You make it sound as if Craig himself intentionally wants to profit from these types of thing.
Delores says:
Whether he set out to profit from the sex trade or not, he is profiting from it. That is exactly the point. If that's what he wants his life to include he can to it. The sex trade is illegal. You want to make it legal, fight for that.
Is the housing market setting up brothels with children? Let's look at what is being done wrong in this situation. The fact that other people "do bad things" with legitimate businesses, as you put it, is irrelevant.
And Bernie Madoff is in Jail. For life. And all he did was steal money. I think exploiting children is far more harmful to society.
Delores says:
Anyone who knowingly profits off of the "bad things" for which people use legitimate business, is part of the problem. Dick.
No one said to shut done Craig's classified ads. Just the ads for sex for money.
John says:
Craig, I feel so badly for you. I mean I'm sure that the majority of the revenue from Craigslist comes from the ads involving the sex trade, both here and internationally. Whatever will you do without all that money?
But you're being censored. Stifled. Your creativity is in jeopardy. We need to fight the evil media. I will fight for you, Craig. And your right to allow your Web site, or the one for which you are an agent, to advertise prostitution.
As a matter of fact, I'll also fight for your creative rights to allow people to post ads to sell meth online to 8th-graders.
John says:
And I must add that I can get on board with you being a victim of Amber's ambush. I saw it. She wasn't harsh at all. She asked you a couple of direct questions, which you couldn't answer.
You can blame whatever you want. You still profit from those ads. And you know what they are about. Man up, Craig. Stop pussyfooting around and blaming someone for not "doing their homework" and finding out who your spin doctors are.
She did a great job. You got caught because she was right.
uh huh says:
$36.6 million in 2010. That's pretty good in a recession.
But, I think Amber is the big bad wolf and you are Little Red Riding Hood.
Dickisinyou says:
Delores - Then they need to go after all who are involved that profit from it which would include any major newspaper in any major city in the united states. They all profit from this dirty little business. You know why they don't? Old money!
delores says:
Well, Dick. I agree with you on that one, that is, if that is true. The fact that others are doing something wrong doesn't mean we shouldn't stop those who are. And, yes, if they are all profiting, then we should go after them all.\\
Can you show me a newspaper ad, though, that shows young girls half naked with an hourly charge? I do think it's a little easier on the Internet through sites like Craiglist because there are no editors.
While old money might play a role, it doesn't change the fact that the sex trade is facilitated much easier through the Internet than it is through a newspaper. But, I'm all for going after both. And I don't feel one bit sorry for Craig. Even if they are going after him because he's not in the club and he is an easier target. He's still contributing to the problem and profiting to the tune of close to $37 million in 2010 alone.
delores says:
For that matter, show me a newspaper, any newspaper that $37 million on sex ads. Many major newspapers have gone under. I doubt many are profiting anywhere close to those numbers.
Craig is not a victim here. Even if he's not a member of the blue-blood boys clubs.
delores says:
Additionally show me any newspaper or any other legitimate business that gets 30% of its profits from the sex trade.
The fact is that Craigslist facilitates more sex trade ads than any other source. That's why the Attorney's General are going after them.
He's not a victim of a conspiracy.
Dickisinyou says:
Delores - The dollar amount does not even matter in this situation. Up until 1 year ago craiglist did not even charge for that section. Where were the AG's when it was free! In any event the charge helps in identifying potential predators and helping law enforcement agencies which the web site has been commended on many occasions.
If you live in any major city go grab a newspaper. They are in there. I will also be willing to bet (though not sure) that they own rag mags all across the US that are filled with them (maybe I am wrong). I am sure that it does not produce 30% of their revenue however it does produce revenue.
Let's not even get into the fact that there are other online resources that make 100% of their revenue from these types of ads. Bigdoggie.net - The Erotic review - Euros Guide - those are just to name a few. Where are the AG's there?
This is a multi billion dollar industry with or without Craig and will continue to thrive as it has through out history.
It is unbelievable that people such as yourself have branded it to be human trafficking and child exploitation when in reality that makes up a very small portion of it. Do you think for one second that this will stop just because they took down the adult section? It will not even help prevent it.
As stated by me in the above comment, I have worked with numerous people in the Adult section when it comes to online marketing and development. I have met them in person and they were all willing participants in what they were doing most were independent. Whether what they were doing was illegal or not has yet to be seen.
And if you wanna split hairs on the sex trade take a look at AOL - General Motors - The Marriot Corp and any cable company or ISP. They are all profiteers from the Sex Trade.
delores says:
Marriot profits from pornography. In fact, I've seen reports that close to 90% of their revenue comes from porn orders in the rooms.
But porn is legal.
Prostitution is illegal. Work to legalize it, if you think it should be legal. But it isn't.
I don't give a rat's ass how many other sources contribute to it. Your argument holds no water with me. It's like a kid saying, "but, Mom, all my friends are smoking crack."
Dickisinyou says:
Your still missing the point.
delores says:
Look, Dick, we don't agree on this issue. The fact that we don't see eye-to-eye doesn't mean I'm missing the point. It means we disagree.
NotCraig says:
It isn't even the naughty ads that I take offense at (except for what might be considered true sex slavery). It's the self-righteous, unctuous, holier than thou self-portrayal that Craig has created. He wants to come off as an aw-shucks-I-didn't-intend-to-become-rich, innocent ultra-nerd who's just tryin' to do right by the world. Far from it!!! He's another greedy guy who's managed to clothe himself in a fashionable hair shirt. Witness how hard he and his corporation are fighting to keep the nearly $ 40 million in extra profit from these ads.
And don't get me started on the self-righteous prick attorney generals who are also trying to save our souls.
They and Craig can all go to hell.
Bob Johnson says:
Rumor has it that Amber Lynn and Rupert Murdoch have a secret tryst where she teaches him street "tricks" of her trade and pays her to put them in his printed cat-pan-liner papers. If American spent more time actually having sex instead of excoriating those that do, it would be a much less angrier, frustrated place. As far as the AG's wasting time pursuing this activity while white collar criminals continue to loot our financial institutions, financially sodomize the middle class, and wreak other abuses on the American economy, it seems their time, anti-criminals efforts, and resources would be better spent there. The again led by arrogantly unscrupulous liars, despicable cheats, and callous thieves-in-denial like Richard Blumenthal of CT, its not surprising criminals reign in America, crimes of flesh-tingling euphoria notwithstanding. And finally, after that stunt, Amber WHO?
Jim says:
Bob, you are you stupid? Do you really think this is about punishing people who have sex? Really?
Prostitution is not synonymous with promiscuity. No one is upset about anyone having lots of sex with one partner or with multiple partners.
What people are upset about is the facilitation of illegal activity through an online classified ad site.
It sounds like you need to get laid.
Delores says:
There are those people who can only get sex if they pay for it. That's why prostitution still happens. But, because it is illegal, people in that business are not protected and get hurt, much like the drug trade. The reason so many people die to get an ounce of pot in someone's hands is because it's illegal. Why should a Web site be able to facilitate illegal activity? That's the question. If drug dealers were selling drugs to children via Craigslit, we'd be having a different conversation. No one would want that.
I feel compassion for those people who are only able to have sex if they pay for it. Or for those who are with sexually incompatible partners and need to look outside their primary relationships to feel satisfied. Sometimes, the only option is prostitution. But I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you think prostitution should be legal, fight for it.
But here's the thing, no "John" wants to come out and say, "Yes. Yes. prostitution is right and good. Let's legalize it so I can get the kind of sex I need." Why is that? Why don't the people who pay for sex come out and say that? Why don't they have a parade their rights?
It's easier to lump people who are concerned about women and children who are hurt by it into a categories of prudes, having problems with sex, etc. But that is just diverting the attention from the real issue. The people who pay for sex want to continue to be able to do it, but they don't want to go on Larry King and say they're proud of it. Why?
Elias says:
sleeptest.com