CRAIGSLIST FOUNDER & PHILANTHROPIST
Who doesn’t know Craigslist? But did you know the founder Craig Newmark is from New Jersey? He founded Craiglist in 1995 and helped guide it to being one of the most-known platforms. Now his focus is on philanthropy through his Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
In this podcast episode, we had the honor of speaking with Craig Newmark. Craig shares his journey of personal growth during the Craigslist years, his New Jersey youth, and his foundation for philanthropic work. We discussed his $100 million donation to a coalition of organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and his commitment to supporting journalism and cybersecurity. Craig’s journey from a self-proclaimed nerd to a passionate advocate is inspiring.
00:00:02 Tech entrepreneur and philanthropist.
00:10:11 Finding success through self-awareness.
00:14:41 Embrace simplicity and continuous improvement.
00:20:37 PR is important for societal progress.
00:27:35 Supporting veterans and military families.
00:37:02 Importance of cybersecurity and media literacy.
Craig Newmark: From Craigslist to Philanthropy – A Conversation on Ethics, Journalism, and Supporting Veterans
Introduction: In this blog post, we will delve into a fascinating conversation with Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. We had the honor of interviewing Craig, and discussing various topics such as his journey from being a techie to a philanthropist, the ethics of journalism, the dark side of Craigslist, and his commitment to supporting veterans and cybersecurity. Join us as we explore the insights shared by Craig during this enlightening conversation.
The Evolution of Craigslist:
- Craig’s background and journey from being a tech nerd to the founder of Craigslist.
- The simplicity and effectiveness of Craigslist’s design and interface.
- The decision to keep Craigslist minimally monetized and the influence of Mr. and Mrs. Levin’s teachings on Craig’s values.
The Dark Side of Craigslist:
- Addressing concerns about scams and safety on Craigslist.
- Craig’s commitment to working with law enforcement while respecting due process.
- The challenges of combating misinformation and manipulation in the media.
Craig’s Philanthropic Work:
- Craig’s passion for supporting veterans and military families.
- The inspiration behind his $100 million donation for military families and vets.
- Collaborations with organizations like Blue Star Families and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
The Intersection of Technology, Media, and Politics:
- Craig’s interest in the intersection of technology, media, and politics.
- The importance of cybersecurity and the potential threats to infrastructure.
- Craig’s involvement with Common Sense Media and efforts to establish guidelines for generative AI.
Media Literacy and Cybersecurity:
- The need for media literacy education to help individuals become discerning consumers of media.
- Craig’s commitment to cybersecurity education and securing internet-connected devices.
- Collaborations with organizations like Aspen Cybersecurity Group and efforts to raise awareness about cybersecurity.
Conclusion: Craig Newmark’s journey from a tech nerd to a philanthropist is truly inspiring. His commitment to ethical journalism, supporting veterans, and cybersecurity highlights the importance of using technology for the greater good. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of media and technology, let us remember the lessons shared by Craig and strive to be responsible consumers and advocates for a secure and informed society.
Note: This blog post is based on a transcript of a podcast episode. To listen to the full conversation with Craig Newmark, please refer to the podcast episode.
Organizations Mentioned
- https://craignewmarkphilanthropies.org
- https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org
- https://bluestarfam.org/
- https://www.journalism.cuny.edu
- https://montclairfilm.org/
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
New Sources Mentioned:
- https://www.techdirt.com
- https://puck.news
- https://politicalwire.com
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org
- https://themarkup.org
Topics Mentioned:
- How a pair of Sunday school teachers inspired Craig Newmark to give his money away
- Jeff Jarvis is leaving the CUNY School of Journalism
- Pew Research: Podcasts as a Source of News and Information
- Strike Force Five
Check out Craig Newmark Philanthropies and their primary areas of work:
- military families and vets
- #CyberCivilDefense #cybersecurity
- trustworthy journalism
- pigeon rescue
You can follow Craig Newmark at
Mastodon: @craignewmark@mastodon.social
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craignewmark
Bluesky: @craignewmark.bsky.social
Twitter: @craignewmark