Craig Newmark on Institutional Maintenance, Giving Away Control, and the Internet We Were Promised (Live at 92NY)

Conversations with Tyler is produced by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. Learn more at Mercatus.org. For a full transcript of every conversation, enhanced with helpful links, visit conversationswithtyler.com. Craig, hello, welcome. Good to meet you.

As founder of Craigslist, I have a very simple question for you. Why does it seem as if web page design has just gotten worse for 30 years running? In my ignorance, when I first put up the first Craigslist site, I just kept it simple. Knowing I have no design skills, except simplicity and speed is a design criterion, and people haven't gotten the message. I've seen designers do some very attractive work that no one has asked for, and I appreciate it, and since I relinquished any management control of Craigslist in 2000, Jim Buckmaster has kept the design clean.

Sometimes I like seeing, oh, fancy design, but as a general rule, I just want to get this the thing done. And on any site, I want to get the thing done and get on with my life. And how do you stop them from adding bells and whistles and making it complicated? Them at Craigslist, no need. Jim is committed.

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