It Came From Craigslist

Beware the Phony Craigslist Story

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:29:58 -0500

Yes, Craigslist is an easy way for lazy journalists to bust out a quick trend story (also see Facebook, Myspace, etc.). However, sometimes, tripe finds its way into the legitimate news trough.

It Came From Craigslist

What you had to say, Part II

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:32:34 -0600

Even a few years ago, it seems doubtful that anyone could have predicted how simultaneously organized and fragmented our communities have become. How could they have foreseen local community forums for every issue under the sun, but not held in any city hall or community center, but from the living rooms and basements of families in every city across the nation.

It Came From Craigslist

Some comments from the peanut gallery

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:23:16 -0600

I had an idea. What if the Chicago Craigslist users had a voice? What if they told me what they liked / didn’t like on Craigslist? And, most importantly, what if I didn’t have to write a column today?

It Came From Craigslist

Freebies

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:07:38 -0600

“Free stuff” - A fine section of Craigslist that may actually yield used gold. It’s so interesting the types of things that people somehow acquire and yet have no use for – used palettes, print paper, women’s medium jeans. Why a lot of this stuff isn’t donated to the Salvation Army or the like I’ll never know. Strong backs recommended.

Free pool table – balls and sticks. Shark not included.

It Came From Craigslist

Craigslist saves the world!

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:03:48 -0600

Hey Chicago - Fill that aching void in your life with some do-gooderism. Why? Because it’s probably better for you than Project Runway, World of Warcraft or huffing Cheeze Whiz.

Usher for Blue Man Group! ‘Nuff said!

It Came From Craigslist

Ye Gods….. Craigslist Personals Part III

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:15:12 -0600

Put on your miner’s helmet, because we’re literally heading in the nether-regions of Craigslist depravity here.

This is not for kids. Or the squeamish of heart. Or, really, for any decent person.

We’re talking about the Casual Encounters section. Here it’s “nsa” (no strings attached). No pretense, no picking up the check, no romance, just the business. If you don’t bring a fistful of condoms then you probably won’t live to see our next president.

It Came From Craigslist

Now it gets Personal… Part II

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:58:55 -0600

Part II in our descent into the Craigslist personals. This week we’re looking at people who are looking for people… supposedly for reasons other than sex.

or this they have created the Strictly Platonic section. And yet again Craigslist surprises me, because what did I find here but actual civility. Lots of people looking for people… quite possibly without twisted ulterior motives.

It Came From Craigslist

Now it gets Personal…

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:51:27 -0600

OK, we’ve touched on some commerce, some social get-togetherness and some discussion groups. Now – HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS – we’re going into the personals section.

It’s got a lot of categories here, so we’re going to do this methodically – from semi-tasteful to mind-bendingly awful.

Hopefully, I’ll actually be able to look at more than one post before I reach “awful.”

Believe it or not, the whole personals section isn’t all dating. The first column is Rants and Raves.

It Came From Craigslist

Talk amongst yourselves…

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:37:33 -0600

Like an onion, you can keep peeling away layers of Craigslist and find shiny new layers underneath. And like an onion, it both stinks and makes your eyes water (usually just because of horrific spelling).
Today we’ll look at a place you may not have ventured – discussion groups.

It Came From Craigslist

Service(s) with a smile

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:35:09 -0600

Chicagoans have lots of skills. Some are intriguing: A headline like “Ever get pulled over and have to give away your drivers license,” sort of draws me in. I guess a lot of people are having more fun / DUIs than I am.