Mutt Media | Daily Bone 5.11.09 | Craigslist – Does this online community really come in peace?

05.11.2009
Craigslist: Symbol of Peace? Mutt Media NY

Mutt Media NY asks, "Craigslist: Symbol of Peace?"

Recently, we have heard about some unsavory news stemming from the ‘connections’ people are making on the popular site Craigslist.org. The most visible has been the case of Philip Markoff, a medical student attending Boston University who has been accused of killing a masseuse when she showed up to render her advertised services. Markoff has also been charged in the assault and robbery of a woman in a different incident that occured in Rhode Island, as well as robbing another just days before the murder. (source: Metro.us click here)

In Newsday on May 9th, I read about a woman named Margary Tannenbaum from Hauppauge, NY who was arrested and charged with aggravated harrassment for her attempt to exact revenge on her 9 year old neighbor. In this case, the neighbor was in a conflict with Tannenbaum’s daughter (also 9). It’s unclear what this conflict was, but this mother somehow convinced herself that it was appropriate to place an ad on Craigslist that advertised, “Looking for a good time? w4m 21″. For the uninitiated, that’s shorthand for women for men – 21 years old. When men responded to the email address contained in the ad, they were directed to call the 9 year old victim’s house. The ad supposedly netted 22 calls. Tannenbaum has been released on bail and will be arraigned this summer.

George Weber photographer: Dan Brinzac

George Weber photographer: Dan Brinzac

In March of this year, news radio reporter George Weber was killed in Brooklyn by John Katehis, a 16 year old he solicited on Craigslist, supposedly for rough sex.

In 2007, a Minnesota man was sentenced to life in prision when he was found guilty of murdering Katherine Ann Olson who responded to his ad on Craigslist for a babysitter.

I went on Craigslist this morning (as I’ve done countless times before) and, in the interest of full disclosure, I have used the service in the past. I’ve sold a car and done some hiring – all with great success. This morning I went in search of something entirely different…..I wanted to take a closer look at their “About Us”.  This led me to their FAQ page (click here) which, to my surprise – contains a purple peace sign within their tab container.

This strikes me as ironic, given the recent press and the call to action by several states and their Attorney Generals. The following quote first appeared in an article in the LA Times Business section just today….”This is the world’s oldest profession using the world’s newest technology,” South Carolina Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster said in an interview. Last week, he warned Craigslist that it would be “subject to criminal investigation and prosecution” if the erotic services section wasn’t removed by May 15.

There is a recurring theme here and the words of every parent, grandparent and caretaker are ringing in my head. “Don’t take candy from/talk to strangers”….remember that one? Given the world we live in today and the fact that we make many legitimate online connections that result in mutually-beneficial, sometimes profitable relationships, provides a counter-point to the “Don’t take candy” admonishment. Common sense must rule here….don’t put yourself into a potentially dangerous situation from which you cannot escape.

What do you think? Is it the responsibility of Craigslist to protect it’s visitors and screen it’s advertisers? I think this is a tricky question. It could be the buyer or the seller who becomes dangerous. How can anyone predict who will be the victim? Please share your thoughts.

Just so you don’t think I am picking on Craigslist…I am posting a story I just read a moment ago on a terrible story out of England. Click here to read about a couple whose online life resulted in real life tragedy.

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This has been your Daily Bone
© 2009 Mutt Media NY LLC All Rights Reserved

This has been your Daily Bone
© 2009 Mutt Media NY LLC All Rights Reserved

Filed Under Children, Communication & Connectivity, Online Image, Print Media | Leave a Comment 

Mutt Media’s Daily Bone asks, “How connected are we and to what?” David Horsey comic sheds some light.

05.04.2009
I recently came across the cartoon below in Newsday. Just to properly give credit where credit is due, it was apparantly picked up from the Seattle Post and was created by David Horsey. I think it’s a brilliant illustration of just how plugged in we’ve become but I wanted to share a bit of irony here.
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Yes, we have become experts at posting our Status Updates on Facebook, Twitter or your social networking platform of choice, but have you noticed just how disconnected we have become from (what I like to call) Life Proper?
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In my family, it is almost impossible to catch the four of us together where one, two or all of us are not attached to some sort of device. We are out to dinner. We are at the Yankee game. We are at a school concert. Someone is always removed from the moment and distracted by Blackberry, IPhone or just texting a friend. Yes, we may be Tweeting to the world about what we are doing, but are we really “there”? Not really. Not enough in my opinion. This is a commentary on the way the world is changing and how social media has impacted the way our children are growing up, their modes of communication and their interactions with the world around them.
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Our kids do not communicate the way we did. And they won’t in the future. Look to my future blogs to enlighten you about how far kids are going to shorten, abbreviate otherwise alter their native language. You will be shocked. This goes way beyond ROFL and POS (Rolling On Floor Laughing and Parent Over Shoulder).
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If you didn’t know those two, we have our work cut out for us. Keep checking back.
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This has been your Daily Bone.
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© 2009 Mutt Media NY LLC All Rights Reserved
Do you think we have become too "connected" or too disconnected?

Do you think we have become too "connected" or too disconnected?

This has been your Daily Bone
© 2009 Mutt Media NY LLC All Rights Reserved

Filed Under Communication & Connectivity, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment