Comments on: craigslist story in Wired http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html Editorial archive for Gary Wolf Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:13:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sharron Clemons http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3371 Sharron Clemons Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:13:58 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3371 Gary, your article was thought provoking and excellent, although the urge to redesign Craigslist undersells the genius at work behind the phenomenon. Craigslist.org was already comparatively underdesigned when it was launched in 1998, and I find it hard to believe that maintaining this "anti-design" is not a carefully curated piece of branding - if for no other reason than that it's just so damn effective at getting across the core values of grass-roots, community sourced, and trustworthy content. Gary, your article was thought provoking and excellent, although the urge to redesign Craigslist undersells the genius at work behind the phenomenon. Craigslist.org was already comparatively underdesigned when it was launched in 1998, and I find it hard to believe that maintaining this “anti-design” is not a carefully curated piece of branding – if for no other reason than that it’s just so damn effective at getting across the core values of grass-roots, community sourced, and trustworthy content.

]]> By: Sharron Clemons http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3370 Sharron Clemons Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:07:43 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3370 Thanks for this insightful story! As social media seems to be the alpha and omega of all web marketing strategies, Craigslist is definitely worth a "anti-look"! However, to Todd's point, I think that the amateurish design of Craigslist is paradoxically fueling its growth. It's in line with its "non-profit" positioning and adds to the credibility of this gigantic garage sale! Unlike eBay, Craigslist does a great job keeping professionals away because it makes it difficult for professionals to stand out! I wonder why Wired titled your story "The Tragedy of Craigslist"... Reaching $100 million in revenue with 30 people and no marketing is not exactly what I would call a 'tragedy'. Thanks for this insightful story! As social media seems to be the alpha and omega of all web marketing strategies, Craigslist is definitely worth a “anti-look”! However, to Todd’s point, I think that the amateurish design of Craigslist is paradoxically fueling its growth. It’s in line with its “non-profit” positioning and adds to the credibility of this gigantic garage sale! Unlike eBay, Craigslist does a great job keeping professionals away because it makes it difficult for professionals to stand out! I wonder why Wired titled your story “The Tragedy of Craigslist”… Reaching $100 million in revenue with 30 people and no marketing is not exactly what I would call a ‘tragedy’.

]]> By: agaricus http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3283 agaricus Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:37:47 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3283 How nice to hear from R2 here. I am looking at my copy of his excellent <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Where-Suckers-Moon-Advertising-Campaign/dp/0679740422/ rel="nofollow"> Where the Suckers Moon: The Life and Death of an Advertising Campaign</a> right on the shelf near my desk. How nice to hear from R2 here. I am looking at my copy of his excellent Where the Suckers Moon: The Life and Death of an Advertising Campaign right on the shelf near my desk.

]]> By: Randall Rothenberg http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3281 Randall Rothenberg Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:06:07 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3281 Gary, this is a terrific, insightful work of journalism. The depth, color, analysis and reporting are first class. I learned quite a bit. R2 Gary, this is a terrific, insightful work of journalism. The depth, color, analysis and reporting are first class. I learned quite a bit.
R2

]]> By: Jean http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3184 Jean Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:52:37 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3184 Thanks for this insightful story! As social media seems to be the alpha and omega of all web marketing strategies, Craigslist is definitely worth a "anti-look"! However, to Todd's point, I think that the amateurish design of Craigslist is paradoxically fueling its growth. It's in line with its "non-profit" positioning and adds to the credibility of this gigantic garage sale! Unlike eBay, Craigslist does a great job keeping professionals away because it makes it difficult for professionals to stand out! I wonder why Wired titled your story "The Tragedy of Craigslist"... Reaching $100 million in revenue with 30 people and no marketing is not exactly what I would call a 'tragedy'. Thanks for this insightful story! As social media seems to be the alpha and omega of all web marketing strategies, Craigslist is definitely worth a “anti-look”!
However, to Todd’s point, I think that the amateurish design of Craigslist is paradoxically fueling its growth. It’s in line with its “non-profit” positioning and adds to the credibility of this gigantic garage sale! Unlike eBay, Craigslist does a great job keeping professionals away because it makes it difficult for professionals to stand out!

I wonder why Wired titled your story “The Tragedy of Craigslist”… Reaching $100 million in revenue with 30 people and no marketing is not exactly what I would call a ‘tragedy’.

]]> By: Greg Freed http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3182 Greg Freed Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:19:15 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3182 Your post came personally recommended from an old friend of mine at just the right time. I've spent this summer (I'm a graduate student in Emerson's MFA in creative writing, so my summers as still free) building an site focused around creative writing. As the site grew, pressure settled on me to try and use the site to pull myself out of a grad student's poverty. I advertised the site aggressively through social networking, which inevitably exhausted me. Since school is starting back up and I'm interviewing for a full-time position, I decided to take a couple of weeks off from the site. It was during this break that I read your article. The thoughts for advancing my own site, of technical features I could offer and how I'd utilize the creative community to make money, were crushing the creative fun out of the enterprise. The stalwart disinterest that you point out in Craigslist's leaders is inspirational to me, and I can already feel a second wind building up in me, ready to persevere with only the tools at my disposal, rather than worry about where I'll get funding and talent for designing features that are more user-friendly. Your article was well written and had a significant impact on at least me. I'll look forward to your other observations that weren't included in Wired. Your post came personally recommended from an old friend of mine at just the right time. I’ve spent this summer (I’m a graduate student in Emerson’s MFA in creative writing, so my summers as still free) building an site focused around creative writing. As the site grew, pressure settled on me to try and use the site to pull myself out of a grad student’s poverty. I advertised the site aggressively through social networking, which inevitably exhausted me. Since school is starting back up and I’m interviewing for a full-time position, I decided to take a couple of weeks off from the site.

It was during this break that I read your article. The thoughts for advancing my own site, of technical features I could offer and how I’d utilize the creative community to make money, were crushing the creative fun out of the enterprise. The stalwart disinterest that you point out in Craigslist’s leaders is inspirational to me, and I can already feel a second wind building up in me, ready to persevere with only the tools at my disposal, rather than worry about where I’ll get funding and talent for designing features that are more user-friendly.

Your article was well written and had a significant impact on at least me. I’ll look forward to your other observations that weren’t included in Wired.

]]> By: Alex http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3169 Alex Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:41:04 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3169 Thanks for the series of Craigslist articles for Wired Gary. Craigslist is a fascinating company. Thanks for the series of Craigslist articles for Wired Gary. Craigslist is a fascinating company.

]]> By: Todd Toler http://aether.com/archives/why-hate-craigslist.html/comment-page-1#comment-3168 Todd Toler Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:36:07 +0000 http://aether.com/?p=249#comment-3168 Gary, your article was thought provoking and excellent, although the urge to redesign Craigslist undersells the genius at work behind the phenomenon. Craigslist.org was already comparatively underdesigned when it was launched in 1998, and I find it hard to believe that maintaining this "anti-design" is not a carefully curated piece of branding - if for no other reason than that it's just so damn effective at getting across the core values of grass-roots, community sourced, and trustworthy content. Gary, your article was thought provoking and excellent, although the urge to redesign Craigslist undersells the genius at work behind the phenomenon. Craigslist.org was already comparatively underdesigned when it was launched in 1998, and I find it hard to believe that maintaining this “anti-design” is not a carefully curated piece of branding – if for no other reason than that it’s just so damn effective at getting across the core values of grass-roots, community sourced, and trustworthy content.

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